Solar Panel For AC

AC units are heavy-duty appliances that cannot be run by the small wattage 300 or 500 watts solar power banks.

For powering your 1.5-ton AC you need a solar panel for AC 1.5ton that can carry the weight of the appliance without causing a disturbance in the load.

Solar panels for AC cost much higher compared to average panels and for this reason, many users go with a solar panel for AC-only units that are slightly more affordable than the former.

How many solar panels for AC units are required and what size solar panels for AC units, do you need to have at home for a similar functioning to grid power?

Well, the luminous solar panel for AC is higher priced than the traditional units, and the solar panel for AC access points needs to have specific connectors for immediate connection to the AC without the need for any extension cords.

So, without any further ado, let’s get to know how to use solar panels for AC air conditioning by finding the right solar panel price for air conditioners as well as the best product available on the market.

In a hurry! Hold on! Here’s our recommended pick of the best solar energy system to save the trouble for you.

Top Pick

10/10 Our Score

• 14.1 lbs. Weight
• A-Plus Monocrystalline Solar Cells
• 12 Volts

Renogy RNG-100D-SS is the best-suited solar hook-up to run appliances with heavy wattage like AC units. This is a 12V 100 W solar panel that is made up of Monocrystalline solar cells and has higher solar energy conversion efficiency.

Renogy solar panel manufacturers are the best in class with very easy solar panel installation kits that make the best option for solar-ready AC units.

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To have a bird’s eye view of the contrasting features of the top 10 solar panels for AC units, have a look at the comparison table given below.

Comparison Table Of The Solar Panel For AC

Image	Product	Features	Price
Top Pick	Renogy RNG-100D-SS 14.1 lbs. Weight A-Plus Monocrystalline Solar Cells  12 Volts	10	Check Price
Best Foldable	ROCKSOLAR Portable Power Station 5 lbs. Weight Monocrystalline Silicon Solar Cells  110 Volts	10	Check Price
Best Outdoor	BLUETTI Portable Power Station EB3A 10.4 lbs. Weight 600 Watts 120 Volts	10	Check Price
Best Off-Grid	Rockpals Foldable Solar Panel 7.28 lbs. Weight Ethylene Tetra Flouro-Ethylene 60 Watts	10	Check Price
Best Portable	Renogy Portable Solar Panel Suitcase 20.5 lbs. Weight Monocrystalline Solar Cells  2 X 50 Watts	9.5	Check Price
Best Heavy-Duty	EF ECOFLOW Solar Generator Delta Max 160 Watts Solar Panel 2016 Wh Battery Capacity 5000 Surge Watts	9.5	Check Price
Best Recreational	Goal Zero Yeti 6000X 300 Watts Solar Panel 6071 Wh Battery Capacity 60 Watts Output	9.5	Check Price
Best All-Rounder	BLUETTI EB70S 21.4 lbs. Weight Monocrystalline Silicon Solar Cells  110 Volts	9	Check Price
Best Home Standby	OKMO Solar Generator 2000W 38 lbs. Weight 2000 Watts Continuous Wattage 110 Volts	9	Check Price
Best High-End	Generac Explorer 1000 120 Watts Solar Panel Monocrystalline Solar Cells  1000 Watts Surge	9	Check Price

In this article, we have selected the 10 best solar panels for Air Conditioners. If you are in a hurry to buy solar panels, go through our ten best picks to know the best options available in the market to opt for AC solar panels.

Top Pick

10/10 Our Score

• 14.1 lbs. Weight
• A-Plus Monocrystalline Solar Cells
• 12 Volts

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Solar panels produce clean and green power that is much more reliable and cost-effective than grid power at home.

But solar power doesn’t come in handy if you don’t have great solar panels or low-wattage panels that are not sufficient for running your heavy-duty appliances such as AC systems.

AC solar panels work best with massive capacity power banks complimented by high-quality panels and these solar panels convert the captured rays into electrical input.

One such great panel for AC systems is the Renogy 100D.

Features:

Renogy RNG 100 is a groundbreaking Monocrystalline solar panel and comes with a much higher energy conversion efficiency compared to conventional panels.

Renogy is much supported among the popular brands and it’s 100 watts solar panels are just right for your home and commercial purposes.

Renogy 100 watts solar panels come with inverters that in essence are microinverters and thus immediately convert the solar power into AC output.

The inverters are needed to be installed with solar panels as most of their produced voltage after energy conversion from solar to electric is in form of direct current (DC).

The inverters convert this DC voltage into the AC voltage suitable for running your household appliances.

This Renogy RNG-100D-SS solar panel comes with a central inverter which makes the installation process easier and this is the reason why Renogy solar panels are more popular than many of its competitors.

Pros

• Monocrystalline Panel
• AC Module Options
• Conventional Central Inverter
• Microinverter Attached
• Great For Residential

Cons

• Large Size

Verdict:

Best Foldable

10/10 Our Score

• 5 lbs. Weight
• Monocrystalline Silicon Solar Cells
• 110 Volts

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Renogy 100 watts solar panel is the bestselling product but if you are looking forward to a more travel-friendly option for your journeys off the grid then Renogy 100 watts may not be the best option for you.

ROCKSOLAR is famous for its covered solar panel, which potentially increases the wattage and also makes storage easier.

Features:

This ROCKSOLAR portable power station is a complete solar kit that is a complete package and will be a great standalone unit giving immediate output without requiring an additional purchase.

This portable solar panel is coming with a massive battery capacity of 111 watts per hour which is a good-sized battery capacity, particularly for mid-range portable power stations.

This heavy-duty power station is complimented by the 5 pounds of foldable solar panels that open in three folds and gives a massive surface area for solar power production.

Furthermore, these solar panels are re-adjustable and have a built-in kickstand to adjust the height and position under the sun for optimum results.

The power station has multiple connectivity outlets that make it just right for outdoor adventures and give it the flexibility and support to connect with multiple devices at once.

This ROCKSOLAR Portable Power Station has an 80W AC. 12V DC and two USB outlets with one USB outlet being the USB Type C PD port.

Pros

• Multiple Iterations
• Easy Installation
• Decreases Shading Issues
• Ideal For Complex Installations
• Increased Energy Production

Cons

• Only 30 Watts Output

Verdict:

Best Outdoor

10/10 Our Score

• 10.4 lbs. Weight
• 600 Watts
• 120 Volts

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For all those users who are looking forward to a heavy-watt solar power bank that is best for homes and can also be installed anywhere then there is no better option than this BLUETTI portable power bank.

This is a massive power station that is a recently released item in the market and is well received by customers across the globe.

Let’s dig into its details to know more about its features and specs.

Features:

BLUETTI is a reliable brand and produces some very cool and amazing solar panels that will help you keep cool this summer and save money that you would otherwise have spent on the running cost of grid power.

This BLUETTI Portable Power Station EB3A power bank is a 600 watts output unit that allows you to run your air conditioning systems be it at home or in an RV.

The 600 watts power banks are more inclined to RVs and travel trailer uses than they are needed at home.

This is because the 600 watts power banks can run most of the electrical appliances in your RV but are not sufficient to run most appliances at home that requires higher wattage.

Therefore, this solar kit is more outdoor nature and is best in its class with its small-sized 10 pounds body.

Pros

• Off-Grid Installation
• Benefits Of Solar HVAC
• Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
• Tier 1 Solar Panel Brands
• Residential Cooling System

Cons

• The warranty Doesn’t Cover Part Replacement

Verdict:

Best Off-Grid

10/10 Our Score

• 7.28 lbs. Weight
• Ethylene Tetra Flouro-Ethylene
• 60 Watts

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If you are breaking the web to get your hands on some high-quality solar panels then you ought to give this ROCKPALS solar panel kit a must-try.

This is a foldable solar panel that can be folded into 3 pieces and gives a very sleek and small-sized box that can easily be packed with your luggage or travel gear.

This makes it a great companion for your off-road journeys where you can use these solar panels to charge your power banks and portable power stations.

Features:

Foldable solar panels are increasingly becoming popular as they ensure the maximum surface area for better energy production and ensure the best space-saving design that can be folded into tiny boxes half or three times lesser than the original surface area.

These solar panels are also supplemented with grid power outlets as you can connect them to home AC wall sockets to have solar power lighting and running electrical appliances at home.

This gives your house renewable energy that is lighter on the pockets with its 0 running cost and is also very friendly for nature due to its zero carbon emissions and a clean green power supply.

The Rockpals Foldable Solar Panel is a 60W kit that is coming with parallel function support to allow you to have solar panel ecosystems giving the increased wattage and output supply.

Pros

• Reduce The Overall Cooling Costs
• Do Not Require An Inverter
• Used As Standalone System
• Easy To Set Up
• No Battery Bank Required

Cons

• Requires A Power Station To Work Outdoor

Verdict:

Best Portable

9.5/10 Our Score

• 20.5 lbs. Weight
• Monocrystalline Solar Cells
• 2 X 50 Watts

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If you are a fan of Renogy solar panels and solar kits but don’t want to have the 100 watts solar panel due to its large-sized body then you don’t have to be heartbroken.

This is because Renogy has a wide variety of solar panels available in all wattage and various designs to give you an overwhelming sea of options.

This Renogy solar panel is a briefcase unit that can be folded in half to have a portable box nearly equal to a large-sized laptop.

Features:

This Renogy solar panel is coming in 2 pieces that give you 50 watts output each and together they will generate a 100 watts output which is the most common wattage of solar panels used in both indoor and outdoor settings.

The 2 pieces of 50 watts solar panels can be folded into a briefcase that has a handle at the top serving as a carrying handle for easy transportation.

There Renogy Portable Solar Panel Suitcase is a built-in kickstand with these Renogy solar panels and this kickstand is used to align the position of panels for capturing maximum solar rays and ensure the maximum energy production by the sun.

These are Monocrystalline solar panels that are the most abundant type of solar cells as well as the most efficient ones.

With its A+ grade solar cells, this panel ensures maximum efficiency and produces maximum wattage that is just the right output for your off-grid journeys.

Pros

• Maintenance And Repair Easy
• Easy To Install
• Covered By Leaves Drops
• Reducing The Impact Of Shading

Cons

• Slightly Heavier

Verdict:

Best Heavy-Duty

9.5/10 Our Score

• 160 Watts Solar Panel
• 2016 Wh Battery Capacity
• 5000 Surge Watts

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If you’re looking for a multifunctioning heavy-duty solar kit that can be used in any condition and any location having a mid-range device may not be the ideal solution.

This is because when at home you need to power your let’s say 16,000 BTU kit that is not possible to be powered with a 500 or 600 watts solar kit even your 1000 watts portable power banks will not be sufficient enough to run most of your electrical appliances at home.

So, what will be the solution to this? Read the below passages to have an effective solution.

Features:

The best solution to have flexible wattage is to go with the EF ECOFLOW delta ecosystem which allows for a flexible battery ecosystem.

This battery ecosystem creates room for the addition of external batteries and combines their output wattage to give you the higher surge potential needed for running heavy-duty devices.

Thus, using a single solar power station you can either have a mid-range wattage with a single built-in internal battery or connect external batteries to have maximum power.

Well, talking about the internal battery of EF ECOFLOW Solar Generator Delta Max, it cannot be called a mid-range unit as the battery capacity of this unit is 2016 watts per hour which is a massive capacity capable of keeping you fully powered all through the night.

Pros

• Easy System Expansion
• Factory Fitted
• Remove Heat From The Air
• Cost-Effective
• Best Energy Savings

Cons

• Slow Charging

Verdict:

Best Recreational

9.5/10 Our Score

• 300 Watts Solar Panel
• 6071 Wh Battery Capacity
• 60 Watts Output

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If you are one of those users who is out there in the market looking for a massive capacity power station that is suitable for home standby and can power your heavy-duty Air Conditioning units then you should visit the Goal Zero Inventory, particularly their Yet series.

The Goal Zero Yeti solar kits are available in both indoor and outdoor variants but this Yeti 6000X is an all-rounder unit that is ideal for home standby and is also very suitable for recreational needs.

Features:

Goal Zero Yeti is a 60 watts solar kit that is coming in a classic cart design to make it very portable as well as heavy-duty for internal and external use.

The best thing about this solar kit is not the portable power bank but the complimentary solar panels coming with it.

The Goal Zero Yeti 6000X solar kit is complimented by the 2 rangers 300 solar panels that give 300 watts output from each panel and in this way, you can have 600 watts power supply from the 2 solar panels that make possible faster charging and gives the most efficient performance.

This solar kit is an RV-ready unit that is coming with a built-in 30-foot extension cord to power your travel trailers and other moving vehicles by putting the power bank away from the vehicle using the extension cord.

Pros

• Substantial Return On Investment
• Trusted Solar Installer
• Works Seamlessly With Heavy Wattage
• High-Efficiency Renewable Energy
• House-Wide Installation

Cons

• More Expensive

Verdict:

Best All-Rounder

9/10 Our Score

• 21.4 lbs. Weight
• Monocrystalline Silicon Solar Cells
• 110 Volts

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Another BLUETTI solar kit in our selection of the 10 best solar panels for AC shows the hype of BLUETTI solar kits for recreational and home functioning.

This solar kit is coming as a highly portable mid-range power bank that is complimented by 200 watts of solar panels to make do with its massive battery capacity.

Features:

The BLUETTI EB70S is an emergency power backup option that is very lightweight and portable with its 21.4 pounds weight which is a good number for an outdoor power bank, particularly one with such heavy battery capacity.

Speaking of the battery capacity we can ensure you that the 716 watts per hour battery is not something to be considered trivial as it can last you for many hours even on a heavy load.

The solar panel complimenting this amazing unit are the famous BLUETTI SP200 solar panels which are the most used universal panels that can be used with any portable power bank.

The 200 watts output capacity of these solar panels is something to be enticed by as you can faster-charging experience and enjoy more runtime.

The BLUETTI EB70S solar power bank is coming as a standalone solar kit including installation tips in its user manual that is part of the package.

The solar kit is best for recirculation purposes in your RVs and camping vans because the unit is designed in a way that will ensure the moisture is released outside the specific vents from your AC ducts or RV vents.

Pros

• High Wattage
• Faster Charging
• Innovative Power
• Multiple Outlets

Cons

• Costly

Verdict:

Best Home Standby

9/10 Our Score

• 38 lbs. Weight
• 2000 Watts Continuous Wattage
• 110 Volts

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OKMO is a relatively lesser-known solar power brand relative to well-established firms such as Generac, Jackery, BLUETTI, Westinghouse, and others.

But this doesn’t restrict the OKMO panels from being the best and to make a stronghold in the market the OKMO solar manufacturers have launched this affordable OKMO solar generator with 2000 watts output and 5000 watts surge wattage.

Features:

OKMO solar generator is powered by the 2 solar panels that are included in the package.

These 2 solar panels give the 2 X 100 watts power supply and quickly recharge this 2000 watts generator for powering your electrical appliances.

The battery capacity of this solar generator is the highest in our selection of the best solar panel for AC and the 2220 watts per hour battery makes it highly desired for longer runtime.

The massive battery capacity and higher surge wattage make it fit for residential units where it can be used as a home standby unit powering the backup electric supply in absence of the grid supply.

The OKMO Solar Generator 2000W is made up of Monocrystalline solar cells which are the best type of cells used in making solar panels.

Monocrystalline solar panels give the maximum possible output and make sure nothing is lost from the captured solar rays.

Pros

• Maximize Solar Production
• Maximum PowerPoint Tracking
• Increasing Your PV System’s Power
• Right Sized For Their System
• Fast charging

Cons

• Lack Of Extension Cord

Verdict:

Best High-End

9/10 Our Score

• 120 Watts Solar Panel
• Monocrystalline Solar Cells
• 1000 Watts Surge

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Generac solar power banks are as prestigious as their generator counterparts running on gas or diesel supply.

The Generac Explorer series is a high-end portable solar kit that is designed specifically for travelers out there on off-road adventures where AC power supply connections are not accessible.

Features:

This Generac solar power bank is a 1000 watts outdoor buddy that is powered by 120 watts solar panel that can be folded into 4 halves and carried in the backpack.

For added safety and practicality these solar panels have added latches and a rugged protective canvas casing to cover the solar panels and protect them against dust and drop when off the road.

This solar power station is known for multiple connectivity outlets and you will see 3 AC ports supplying pure sine wave output supply.

The 3 USB type-A ports with 5V, 2.4A power, and a single USB Type-C port are present in their form. There are 2 12V DC ports for powering your solar bank with a car battery using the carport.

This Generac Explorer 1000 solar power bank can either run on battery power or also rely directly on the power supply of the solar panels and make do with direct energy without the batteries.

These features make the Generac Explorer solar panels best for outdoor ventures.

Pros

• Advanced Solar Technology
• High Power Produced By Photovoltaic Panels
• Best Used On Electrical Grid
• Do Not Require A Solar Battery

Cons

• No Wireless Charging Pad

Verdict:

Best Solar Panel For AC: A Comprehensive Buyer’s Guide

Can you power your AC on solar? Or how much solar power is needed to run your AC?

These questions seem to be the common queries almost everyone has in mind before thinking about the installation of solar panels in residential units to power your AC or other heavy-duty appliances.

Buying Guide Of Best Solar Panel For AC – Infographics

This is because AC systems require much higher wattage that is not directly supplied with the 100 or 200 watts solar panels and most people like to believe that you can’t run your 1.5-ton or higher AC units on the solar systems.

Solar power is more reliable and cost-effective instead of the electric power and gives nature-friendly and stable power but is hard to produce as you need plenty of tools and gadgets to access solar power.

Electric power is very easy to come by from the utility lines and solar power, on the other hand, is easier to produce but hard to come by as you would have to install particular wires and extensions to access the converted energy.

You need to keep in mind that solar power is the best option for you for running your common household appliances like most things running on an electric supply at home.

Solar power is better suited for outdoor adventures due to limited wattage and ease of production, not to mention the running cost.

Let’s take a look, at the requirements of a solar system for running your AC units so that you can make sure to have the right number and size of solar panels installed in your house.

1. How Many Solar Panels Do You Need To Power AC?

Are you looking for secondary power sources to run your AC units?

Well running your AC on anything other than electric power is very costly and may or may not be possible depending upon the continuous wattage your backup source produces.

This is because AC units require an average of 2000 watts to get started and 2000 watts is a much higher number than any solar unit can produce.

Most portable solar power banks are good enough for a 1000 watts power output and this can’t run your AC units.

Therefore you need much higher power stations like the 3600 watts or higher surge devices that are pretty common in the market but require you to break the bank once at the time of installation and then enjoy an unlimited power supply.

A 12,000 BTU AC unit is the most common AC that you would have to power at home or in your camping vans like the RV or pop-up camper.

To run a 12,000 BTU AC for 8 hours you will need to have 2500 watts continuous wattage and this will be supplied by using the 10 X 250 watts solar panels in parallel functioning.

250 watts solar panels are not very abundant in the market and you can use the 2 X 120 watts solar panels in place of a single 250 watts solar panel and this will make the room for installation of 20 X 120 watts panels or the 25 X 100 watts solar panels for running a 12,000 (1 ton) AC.

2. Things To Consider Before Buying The Best Solar Panel For AC:

Now, that you know how much power you need and what wattage is the required value for you, it is time to move into the specifications of the solar panel to get the best bang for your buck.

Given below are the least considerations that you should keep in mind before heading for the final purchase of your solar panel for AC.

I. Panel Size:

The size of the panel is the very first thing you need to be concerned about because you have to calculate the overall load your solar system should carry and then choose the size of panels accordingly.

If you are planning to install a solar system at your home to run your mid-range appliances under power outage then you would require at the very least a 5KW or 10KW solar system for home standby and this will ask for the need of 200 watts or large sized solar panels with maximum surface area for faster charging.

But if you are an outdoor adventurer looking forward to powering your road gear then a 100 watts foldable solar panel will be sufficient for you to get your needs fulfilled.

II. Battery Capacity:

If you are using solar power banks then considering the battery capacity is the mandatory feature and you should ensure a massive battery capacity that can last longer than average batteries.

Most typically lithium-ion batteries are used because of their longer lifespan and faster-charging efficiency. An average battery capacity for your AC units will be 800 watts per hour because it can keep running your devices for a good runtime.

III. Added Features:

Solar panels need to be equipped with certain features to ensure their safety and ease of use.

One such additional feature is the built-in kickstand that allows for adjustment in the position of the solar panel ensuring that solar cells receive the maximum sunlight and thus the maximum energy.

Another significant factor is the built-in latches that increase the longevity of the solar panels and make them easier to transport.

Canvas covering of solar panels is also included in some units to protect against environmental factors such as dust and rain.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. How Many Solar Panels Do I Need For AC?

The exact number of solar panels required depends upon the wattage you require or the specific BTU of the AC system.

If you are asking for a 1.5-ton AC then an average of 2500 watts of power is needed and this will require 10 X 250 watts of solar panels to directly power AC without any external battery source.

2. Can 1.5 Ton AC Run On Solar System?

Yes, you can run your 1.5-ton AC units on solar power and this includes both solar power banks and solar panels. You can use the solar panels to charge your power bank which will in turn power your AC unit.

Or you can directly run your AC on the solar panels but the numbers and wattage of panels need to be higher than the surge of the AC system.

3. Is There An AC Solar Panel?

Yes, there are many high-quality AC solar panels available on the market and there is nothing different about these solar panels than average panels.

Any typical solar panel can be used to power your AC and this makes it an AC solar panel.

4. Can I Power An AC Unit With Solar?

Yes, for sure, you can power your AC unit with solar but this is definitely not something budget-friendly as you need plenty of solar panels sufficient enough to run your heavy-duty AC unit.

You would also need massive power banks to keep running your AC without direct sunlight.

5. How Many AC Can Run 5kw Solar System?

A 5KW solar system can run an average of 3 AC units depending on the total load you have put on a solar system.

If no other heavy-wattage appliances are connected to the solar system then running 3 AC units on solar power will not be a problem.

6. How Many Solar Panels Do I Need For A 12000 BTU Air Conditioner?

A 12,000 BTU or 1-ton AC requires an average of 1400 watts that will need somewhere around 7KWh power to keep it running.

Therefore you will need about 5 X 200 watts of solar panels or 10 X 100 watts solar panels for powering your 12,000 BTU AC.

Final Words:

Video Help:

If you have any confusion, watch the below video.