Off-Grid Solar Calculator
Designing an off-grid solar system means sizing five things that must agree: the panel array, the charge controller, the battery bank, the cables and the inverter. Get one wrong and the system underperforms — or fails dangerously. VoltForge calculates them together, from your appliance load profile.
Start from a load profile
Everything begins with what you actually run: each appliance's wattage, quantity and daily hours. Add motor loads correctly — a pump or saw draws a surge far above its running watts. Quick templates (Off-Grid Cabin, RV, Workshop, Emergency Backup) get you started; every value is editable.
What gets sized
- Daily energy and peak wattage from the load profile
- PV array and string voltage with cold-temperature correction
- Battery bank — lithium or lead, autonomy days, temperature derating
- Inverter sizing with surge headroom and standby tare losses
- DC cable gauge for panel and battery runs
Common questions
Is the output a final design?
No. VoltForge produces preliminary estimates for planning and quoting. Verify all designs with a licensed electrical contractor before installation.
Can I quote a client from it?
Yes — export a CSV bill of materials or a PDF proposal to share. The numbers are estimates, clearly marked as such.