Best Solar Panel Kits For Sheds You Can Buy Right Now

Solar energy has become more affordable over the years. In fact, it costs less than $0.10 per kWh to generate electricity from solar panels.

If you live in a sunny area, installing a solar power system might be a great way to save money and reduce your carbon footprint.

A solar power system consists of a solar panel, battery bank, inverter, charge controller, and wiring.

Installing a solar power system can range anywhere from $1,500-$20,000 depending on the size of your home or property.

The average installation price is around $5,000.

If you’re unsure whether you want to commit to a full solar panel kit for your house – as it can be very expensive and time consuming to actually fit an entire solar panel system for a house – you can test the waters with your shed.

Using a solar panel system on your shed can be a good gateway into solar panel systems for your property.

You won’t need such a big system and you can see whether it’s really worth it for you and your family. 

Today we’re going to be looking at the best solar panel kits for your shed, as well as a number of things to consider before purchasing one.

We hope that this can be your all-knowing guide to your first solar panel kit in your house.

So, let’s get right into it – shall we? 

Five Best Solar Panel Kits For The Shed

Now let’s take a look at five of our favorite solar panel kits for the shed.

These are all slightly different with varying purposes, so you should be able to find one that you like the look of.

If not, keep looking until you find the perfect one for you, then come back here and carry on reading all about your kit and how to use it. 

Renogy 200 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Solar Starter Kit With Wanderer

First up on our list is a kit from Renogy, in which a 200-watt solar panel is featured.

While this might not be strong enough to cover much in the way of a home utility bill, it can definitely cover the power tools and other small appliances that you keep in your shed. 

This kit includes everything that you need to install it onto your shed and start benefiting from solar energy instantly.

You can even add another solar panel to this kit at a later date if you wanted to.

This would allow you to get to 400 watts, which means that you’ll be able to power more significant tools and appliances. 

The framing hardware is extremely robust and will last for a long time.

The entire kit is very high quality so you won’t have to replace it during your shed’s lifetime, as long as you don’t need a larger energy requirement that exceeds this current solar power capacity. 

Pros

• The controller carries a short circuit current of 6.24A.
• Protect from overloading and short-circuiting thanks to the negative grounding controller. This protects the battery to prolong its lifetime.
• 21.6 V rating for the open-circuit.
• The Renogy Wanderer charge controller allows you to add another solar panel to your kit if you want to, increasing the wattage up to 400. 
• 21% efficiency allows you to get up to 1000 Wh a day with full sunlight. This means that you can charge a 50Ah battery in just 1.5 hours to 50%. 
• The tray cable is 8 feet long, so you have plenty of room to mount your controller and battery wherever you need it within your shed. 

Cons

• Cannot be used to power an entire home. 
• A few users have stated that they have experienced intermittent currents, meaning that they didn’t achieve the 200 watt output. 

SOLPERK 200W Solar Panels 12V Monocrystalline Solar Panel Kit

This solar panel from SOLPERK holds 200 watts which will be suitable for any appliances and tools that you have in your shed.

While it might not be significant enough to power an entire house, it should be impressive enough to do that of a shed. 

Plus, if you find that you need a higher energy yield, you can always add more panels onto your kit to improve it.

This solar panel kit that we have listed here is actually a pack of two solar panels, meaning the power yield of each one is 100 watts. 

These solar panels have an efficiency of 24% so you’ll be getting an impressive amount of energy from each time the sun comes out, too. 

These panels are incredibly robust and weather resistant, so much so that they can be used for 10 years without any issues.

They also come with a 12-month warranty for added peace of mind and protection on your purchase. 

Pros

• Both solar panels are very efficient with a 24% conversion rating. 
• Great for charging 12V batteries and small appliances. 
• Both panels come with a 12-month warranty and round the clock support. 
• Work with most mounting brackets thanks to premade holes for mounting. 
• The solar panels are 41.7 x  21.3 x 1.2 inches, making them the same as most panels on the market and therefore excellent for using alongside other accessories. 

Cons

• The power cables are rather short. 
• Power output is not that great, although you can add more to achieve your desired outcome. 

SUNER POWER 50 Watts Mono Crystalline 12V Solar Panel Kits

Next up is a very low wattage solar panel kit, so this option would be good for anyone who only wants to power a light and a few small tools.

If you want to use your solar panel to power larger appliances, this 50 watt solar panel is probably not for you. 

However, if you have a small shed and don’t want to spend too much money on your solar panel kit, this is the one for you.

The value concerning the price is impressive, so don’t necessarily cut this one out just yet! 

The controller makes sure that there are no power surges to ruin the lifetime of your battery or solar panel.

It also features a control which allows you to save power after dark, meaning that none of the energy that you collected during the day is wasted. 

You can use this solar panel to connect to a number of different brackets, although you won’t get any included with the kit.

The 1-year warranty allows you to protect your purchase during the first year of usage which is a nice touch. 

While this might not be the best option for someone wanting a very powerful solar power kit, it is a great choice for any newbies to the solar panel scene. 

Pros

• The solar controller ensures that the system is always working effectively without any power being lost or wasted. 
• Good kit for small buildings with low power requirements. 
• You can use this solar panel with a large number of mounting frames. 
• Requires almost zero maintenance and is very easy to install. 
• Work time and photocell controllable settings. 

Cons

• Not suitable for larger applications. 
• You will have to purchase a mounting frame alongside the solar panel. 

ECO-WORTHY 1000 Watt 1KW 24 Volt Solar Panel Off Grid

This solar panel is 1000 watts and therefore by far the most impressive on this list.

It can power an entire small home or a decent sized shed with ease.

While you will still need a few of these solar panels to cover the entire utility bill of your house, one should suffice to power your entire shed and its contents. 

These panels are incredibly highly rated by their users and you won’t need to buy more than one due to replacements.

They can last for years without maintenance, ensuring an easy ride for you and your family. 

The warranty is another plus, along with how easy they are to install.

The only issue is the price, but that’s what comes with such a high energy capacity. 

Pros

• A daily output of 4 kWh, depending on the sun. 
• Great for charging batteries or back-up power sources. 
• Includes lots of protection for the system including lighting protection.
• Very easy to install and maintain. 
• 1-year warranty and round the clock customer service. 

Cons

• High price point. 
• Might be too powerful for people with low energy needs. 

Renogy 175 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Grid Large System

This is a more expensive solar panel kit we’ve reviewed but it’s definitely worth every penny.

With a whopping 175 watts of power, this solar panel kit is more than enough to power a larger shed. 

It comes with everything you’ll need to mount and use it for many years to come.

Every component is very durable and resistant to all weathers, making this a great investment that you can benefit from for many years. 

The controller and inverter offer accessible usage, ensuring that your solar panel kit is as easy to use as possible.

This is another excellent kit for people just starting to get into the solar panel market. 

This solar panel can be mounted to the floor rather than the roof, which is excellent for people who don’t want to drill into their shed to mount a solar panel. 

Overall, this kit is a great find and it will suit anyone who is looking for a kit to power some small appliances and tools.

It’s durable, easy to use, and reliable. What’s not to love? 

Pros

• The solar panel has pre-drilled holes in it to cut mounting time down. This makes it super quick and easy to mount. 
• Great customer service for Renogy customers. 
• You can use this solar panel kit for many different reasons. 
• Enhanced performance thanks to multiple layers of laminations, which also improves the durability of the solar panel. 
• Speaking of durability, the positive tolerance of between 0 and 3% ensures that this kit can withstand all kinds of weather. 

Cons

• This solar panel kit doesn’t come with a warranty. 
• You’ll have to purchase your own brackets for mounting as it doesn’t come with any. 

What Is A Solar Panel Kit? 

A solar panel kit is essentially a preassembled set of components that are needed to install a solar power system.

These kits usually include everything you need to start generating clean, renewable energy from the sun.

They also come with instructions and tools to help you put together the system yourself.

Before you decide that you want to purchase your own shed solar panel kit, you should make sure that it includes everything that you want and need from a kit.

So, let’s look at what you should be getting in your solar panel kit to use on your shed. 

Items Included In A Shed Solar Panel Kit

• The solar panels – this will collect the photon rays from the sun to be converted into energy that you can use. This is the most important part of the solar panel kit, as you can imagine, so you should look for a kit with a high quality solar panel. 
• A controller – the controller allows you to regulate your power to avoid damaging the battery due to power surges. Not all kits include this but it is very important to protect your investment and prevent unforeseen damages. 
• Inverter – the photon rays come from the solar panel into the inverter so that it can convert them into usable energy before sending them off to the next stop. 
• The battery – here the electrical current is sent from the inverter. The battery can then send the energy too wherever it is needed. 
• AC outlets – not all kits come with these as you can add your own to the kit. However, some inverters come with built-in AC outlets to avoid you having to provide extra tools. You can use the AC outlet for items that need energy from a direct power source. 
• A light – another optional item here, but some kits will come with a light to illuminate your shed. Most of these kits are called solar light kits, so if you’re looking for one of these, search this up rather than just shed solar panel kits. 
• Mounting frame hardware – this is used so that you can mount your solar panel onto the roof of your shed. Some solar panels don’t come with mounting frame hardware for some reason so you might have to use your own. It’s typically the larger kits that come with this add-on. 
• Additional hardware – for example, screws and fittings. These are used to mount smaller solar panels onto roofs. These will also be used to mount additional parts such as the battery, light, and outlets. 
• An instruction manual – I think that we can all agree that this is the most important piece of any solar panel kit! 

Some kits might include more or less pieces than these nine components, but this is the basic makeup of a solar panel kit.

Bear in mind that some of these things might also be fitted into one another, such as the inverter within the battery, to make setting it up an easier process for you.

So, don’t freak out when you can’t find the inverter! 

However, if you’re concerned that you don’t have everything you need for your kit, it doesn’t hurt to call the supplier to see whether you’re missing something or not.

They should be able to give you peace of mind before you start installing the kit.

After all, you don’t want to be halfway through the installation process before realizing that you’re missing something. 

Why You Might Want To Buy A Solar Panel Kit For Shed

Now that we have looked at the top five solar panel kits for your shed, let’s look at a few things that might sway your decision into buying one. 

Solar panel kits for sheds are very effective at what they do, and they can be valuable to people who power lots of things in their sheds.

They reduce your energy bill, help the environment to an extent, and use a renewable source of energy that is always there to be relied upon. 

Over time, the money that you invest into your solar panels will decrease as you save more money on your energy bill.

You can power your tools and lights without worrying about racking up a hefty bill. What’s not to like about the appeal of solar panel kits? 

Here are three top points concerning solar panels that you might be interested in to figure out before purchasing a kit of your own:

1. Solar power can be absorbed through energy sheets otherwise known as photovoltaic cells. 
2. Photovoltaic cells attract photon rays from the sun to use them as usable energy in your home. 
3. Solar power can save you lots of money overtime thanks to them getting their energy from a renewable source – the sun! 

Many people see these reasons and decide that they want to invest in solar panel kits.

They allow you to cut down on your energy bill as well as your carbon footprint.

Solar power does wonders for both the environment and your wallet! 

What’s The Difference Between Solar Panels For Sheds And Traditional Solar Panels? 

There are two main types of solar panels: traditional solar panels and solar panel kits.

So, what’s the difference between the two? Let’s take a look at each type of solar panel and how they work. 

Traditional solar panels are made using silicon wafers that are then placed inside a frame.

These frames are usually made from glass or plastic.

In order to make electricity, sunlight hits the surface of the silicon wafer and causes electrons to move away from the silicon.

When the electrons reach the metal contacts, they create an electric current. 

Traditional solar panels are great because they’re affordable, but they need more maintenance to ensure that their efficiency doesn’t decline too much.

Over time, the silicon wafers get dirty and become less efficient.

Also, if you live in areas where the temperature gets really cold, the silicon wafers may crack. 

On the other hand, solar panel kits are designed to provide you with enough energy to power most of your devices.

They don’t require any maintenance and they last longer than traditional solar panels.

This means that you’ll spend less money over time when it comes to maintaining your solar panels. 

Some people don’t want to add large solar panels onto their roof because of a number of reasons – the aesthetics, the fact that it might compromise the integrity of the roof, and they’re very expensive. 

Benefits Of Solar Panel Kits For Sheds

• Solar panel kits are easy to install. 
• They come with everything you need to get started. 
• You won’t have to worry about adding extra equipment to your shed. 
• They’re durable so you don’t have to worry about replacing them every few years. 
• Solar panel kits are good for those who want to go green. 
• They’re more affordable. 
• They can help you reduce your energy bills. 
• They can make useless space more purposeful. 
• Your overall house’s appearance won’t be tampered with. 

As you can see, there are many benefits for going with solar kits for sheds rather than traditional panels.

However, you must consider whether these kits will harness enough power to cover your needs.

If you only need to power a lightbulb, you won’t need such a large solar panel.

However, if you’re planning on powering lots of different tools and appliances, you’re going to need a bigger system.

It’s likely that you will need to cover the entire shed’s roof as well as the surrounding floor with freestanding panels. 

So, make sure that you know how much power you’re going to need as well as whether your shed has a big enough roof for all of the panels you need.

You might only want to get one panel which will be fine for powering a few tools and lights, or you could get a single panel to help with the costs rather than cover them altogether. 

Calculating Your Energy Requirement To Ensure That You Choose The Right Solar Panel Kit

If you’re looking to buy a kit for your shed, you should first calculate how much energy you use each month.

There are some online calculators that will do this for you. 

Once you’ve got an idea of how much energy you use, you can compare different options. Some kits include batteries instead of panels.

Others include inverters. And still others include both. 

The size of the battery is important because it determines how long the panels will run without being recharged.

A larger battery means that the panels will work for longer before needing to be charged again. 

Anyway, you’re going to need to calculate the size of your energy requirement before choosing your solar panel kit to prevent disappointment once you get it and install it. 

The average household can use from 7,000 to 11,000 kW of energy every hour – that’s a lot of solar panels!

The average cost of covering these electricity costs would be somewhere between $7,000 and $17,000, depending on the area in which you live. 

However, a shed light might only need $100 to power.

The energy used within the average shed would roughly $3,000, but that would also differ depending on the size of your shed and how much you needed to power within it.

It would also differ depending on where you live. 

For a more accurate measurement of the energy required from your solar panel, you need to round up all of the appliances you want to power through it and find their wattages.

Now multiply this by the number of hours they will be running for.

This gives you the kilowatt per hour rating (kWh). 

This will help you determine the best solar panel kit for you.

Generally speaking, the bigger the better.

However, some solar panel kits can be too big and you’ll end up spending too much money upfront and wasting energy from not using it. 

Can All Sheds Be Used For Solar Panel Kits? 

Yes, most sheds can be used for solar panel kits. They just have to be built correctly so that they don’t block out any sunlight.

You can either build them into the walls themselves or attach them to the roof. 

Some people choose to put them on the ground and then prop them up against the wall.

If you’re doing this, you’ll need to ensure that there isn’t anything underneath them.

If there is something under the solar panel, it may cause damage.

You’ll also need to make sure that the shed has enough space for the panels.

This will mean that you need to take into account how many panels you need to satisfy your energy needs.

If you only need one panel, your shed should be large enough to accommodate this.

However, if you need more than one panel your shed might be too small.

Plus, it might not be strong enough to hold up the weight of all of your solar panels.

When deciding whether your shed will be able to accommodate your solar panels, here are a few of the most important things to consider: 

• The most advisable thing to do before getting solar panels fitted onto your shed roof is to have it professionally evaluated to ensure that it can withstand the pressure of a solar panel.
• Failing to do this might cause the panel to break the roof, which in turn might then break the solar panel. 
• Always check the solar panel dimensions to ensure that you know how much it is going to weigh before trying to put it on your shed’s roof.
• You should only use 80% of the maximum capacity for your shed roof, so bear this in mind when buying your solar panels. Exceeding this could lead to lots of damages and more money on repairs. 

Many people think that having the roof of their shed evaluated is a waste of time and money, but it definitely is not.

Don’t skip this step, as it could cost you a lot of money in replacing your shed and solar panels that smashed on impact of falling through a weakened roof. 

Can Your Shed Be Used To House Solar Panels?

So now we have discussed that not all sheds can be used to house solar panels, but does your shed allow them?

The weight capacity of your shed’s roof is not the only thing to consider here – there are a few more factors that you need to consider before purchasing your new solar panel kit for your shed. 

The Location Of Your Shed

If you live in an area where the sun shines directly overhead during the day, you won’t need to worry about shading issues.

However, if you live somewhere else where the shed is covered from the sun by trees or the house during most of the day, then you might not get the most from the solar energy. 

Your Shed’s Positioning

This is another factor that you need to consider, especially if you want to place your solar panel kit on the roof of your shed.

South-facing is the best position to put your solar panels into, so if your shed is not south-facing then the panels won’t be getting direct sunlight for as much of the day as normal. 

Is The Roof At An Angle? 

Another factor to consider is the angle at which the roof slopes.

If your shed’s roof slopes downwards towards the back of the building, then the solar panels will face away from the sun.

This means they won’t receive any sunlight and therefore won’t generate electricity. 

On the other hand, if the roof slants upwards towards the front of the building, then you will be facing the sun all day long. This will help you to generate plenty of energy. 

Material Of The Roof

No matter what the weight capacity of the roof is, some materials just aren’t the best for drilling holes into.

If your shed is made from a less than optimal material, it might not be able to withstand these changes to its structure. 

As we mentioned before, it is always a good idea to ask a trained professional to come and evaluate your shed’s roof.

They know exactly what they’re doing and therefore will be able to give you a definitive answer on whether your shed can handle a solar panel kit or not. 

For the location, positioning, and angle of the roof, you can make an evaluation on your own accord without having to spend money on a professional.

However, the materials and weight capacity should really be carried out by someone with knowledge in the field. 

Installing Your Solar Panel Kit Onto Your Shed

Now that you’ve done your research and found out everything you needed to know about installing your solar panel kit onto your shed, it’s time to start planning how you’re going to do it.

Installing a solar panel is rather simple, yet it will require some time and patience to get it right the first time. 

Important Tips Before You Get Started

• Read the instructions through before starting the installation so that you can contact the manufacturer if you have any concerns before getting halfway through and realizing this. 
• Know which pieces and tools are needed for each step. This will save you time when it comes to actually installing the solar panel kit. 
• Do your research online to see if you can gain knowledge from someone who has already installed a solar panel onto their roof. They’ll be able to answer any questions you have before installing yours so that you can go into the process feeling confident. 
• If you don’t feel confident in installing your own solar panel, you should consider hiring a professional to avoid damages to your shed or the solar panel. 

Should You Install A Solar Panel Yourself? 

The final decision is up to you. Some people enjoy DIY projects while others prefer to leave them to professionals.

We recommend that you choose whichever option suits you better. Either way, you’ll need to follow the instructions carefully. 

If you decide to install the solar panel yourself, there are many things that you’ll need to take care of. These include:

• Mount the solar panel to the frame and drill holes into the roof to successfully mount the solar panel. 
• Attach the charge controller onto the interior shed wall and connect it to the solar panel. 
• Wire the inverter to the battery before connecting the amp cable to the fuses. 
• Plug in the mains cable to the socket.
• Wire your lights and any other additional accessories that you have. 

Always follow the instructions that came with your solar panel to ensure that you’re doing everything correctly. 

Summary

In conclusion, we hope that this guide helped you understand more about installing a solar panel kit onto your shed’s roof.

There are many different types of sheds available today, but all of them have one thing in common – they all need electricity to operate.

That’s why we decided to write this article because we want to help our readers find the best solar panel kit for their needs. 

We hope that you enjoyed reading this article and learned something new!

Now that you know all about the best solar panels for sheds and how to use them – what are you waiting for?