How Can I Use Solar Energy for my garage or workshop?  

Garages typically have their own addresses, so online mapping tools like PVWatts, Is your garage situated at a fair distance from your house and wiring it is a large expense? Or maybe you would like to start your shift towards solar energy by installing a solar-powered energy system for your workshop. Whatever the case is, using solar energy for your garage or workshop has various benefits.  

Merits of Using Solar Energy for Your Workshop  

Setting up a solar panel for your workshop is an attractive solution for several reasons. It goes without saying that adding any kind of electricity makes it easier to spend time in and use your workshop when it isn’t light out. However, by adding a solar panel for your shed, you don’t have to worry about unsightly wires running across your yard from your house or the nearest utility pole or digging a trench in your turf. It’s a simple, elegant solution to get just the right amount of power to space.  

Also, setting up solar panels for your garage doesn’t have to be hard or expensive. The grid-tied system is a great way to keep your backyard free of clutter, maximize your storage space, and even create a safe backup power area in case of emergencies. And if you find you like the process and the results, you’ll have the know-how to delve into bigger systems, like getting your whole house on solar.  

How to Set Up Solar Energy for Your Workshop  

The first step is determining how much power you’ll need to light your space. There are two different metrics you’ll run into as you make these calculations— watts and lumens. A standard 60-watt bulb puts out around 750-850 lumens of light, a lumen being equivalent to about one birthday candle. If you want to test out how many watts you think you might need, you can use an extension cord or generator and a lamp or work light to test if one bulb is sufficient or if you might need more illumination.

Once you’ve determined how much power you’ll need, you can get the right solar panel for your garage. For the average-sized shed, RV, or small cabin, a 50-watt, the 12-volt solar kit is a great starter option.   

Such solar kits also come in versions from 100 watts to thousands of watts if you have a larger space or need more intense illumination. An alternative to the off-grid system is a total solar PV grid-tied system, giving you the luxury of always having access to your workshop, even during the night-time and on cloudy days.   

Before investing in any solar system, you’ll need to determine the solar potential of your garage. Or, in other words, does the roof get enough sun to provide enough power?   

Garages typically have their own addresses, so online mapping tools like PVWatts, Google’s Project Sunroof, or Mapdwell aren’t going to be helpful in answering that question. You could rent or purchase a shade analysis tool like the Solmetric SunEye or the Solar Pathfinder. Or, for an easier and more accurate rooftop analysis, simply request a professional site evaluation from an experienced photovoltaic contractor, like the team at Aztek Solar!

Thanks for reading!

Brian McKay
(aka The Solar Guy)