Full dimensions can also be found on the individual item's pages.
Kits:
- Solar panels are 1750mm x 1100mm + packaging, and weigh approx 20kg
- Gel batteries 500x240x220mm + packaging, and 60kg each
- 2 or 3 boxes - inverter+charge controller or hybrid, and accessories box - sizes vary, refer to dimensions below
- Mounting Rails: 2000mm
Batteries:
- Gel batteries: 500x240x220mm, 60kg
- Lead Carbon: 338x227x294mm, 61kg
- Lithium: 650x260x170mm, 30kg
Inverters:
- 1500W: 362 x 231 x 98 mm
- 2000W: 436 x 249 x 116 mm
- 3000W: 507 x 249 x 116mm
Charge Controllers, all approx 3-5kg:
- 30A: 228x164x55mm
- 50A: 261 x 216 x 119mm
- 60A: 340 x 236 x 119mm
- 100A: 374x242x143mm
Hybrid Inverter/Chargers:
- 5KW ES: 330x485x135mm, 12kg
- 2000TL: 315x400x130mm, 8kg
- 5000TL: 350x455x130mm, 12kg
- 6KW HVM: 360x540x218mm, 41kg
- 12KW HVM: 380x650x255mm, 75kg
What can this kit run?
With a 390W panel and a 1500W inverter, this solar panel Starter Kit is perfect for running a few appliances, such as chargers, lights, and a Radio/Stereo, or a TV. This kit may support an efficient mini fridge, though we recommend upgrading to the Weekend Warrior Kit in that case.
Below is a calculation of how much you can run if you generate 1,000Wh+ (~3 sunlight hours). We do not recommend using solar for heating or cooking applications - learn more.
This list is a guide to what you might run in the course of a day, but can be swapped out to suit your needs, (within the daily Watt hour estimations). This estimate is based off the NZ winter average of 3 hours of sunlight per day (Summer averages about 7 hours). This doesn't account for situations in which you may have to cut back on your power use or supplement with a generator due to several days of poor weather preventing your battery bank from adequately recharging each day. Learn more here.
25W LED Lighting
6 hours a day (150Wh)
100W Television
2 hours a day (200Wh)
Efficient Mini-Fridge
24 hours a day (720Wh)
60W Laptop
2 hours a day (120Wh)
25W Phone Charger
6 hours a day (150Wh)
Not enough power? Check out the Weekend Warrior Kit
25W LED Lighting
6hrs/day (150Wh)
100W Television
2hrs/day (200Wh)
60W Laptop
2hrs/day (120Wh)
25W Phone Charger
6hrs/day (150Wh)
Efficient Mini-Fridge
24hrs/day (720Wh)
Kit Contents
Downloads
- Trina 390W PERC Mono Half-Cell Datasheet
- GridFree 200Ah 12V Deep Cycle Battery Datasheet
- EPEVER 1500W Inverter Datasheet
- EPEVER 30A Controller Datasheet
- Installation Instructions + Wiring Diagram
The Best Solar Panels for DIY Solar Power
Trina Perc Mono solar panels are our panel of choice.
Trina Solar’s products have always maintained high reliability and solid performance based on their commitment to their quality-first policy. They tightly control quality over every step of the manufacturing process, from silicon crystallization to module deployment in the field, and guarantee the quality of their products with an industry-leading 25-year lifetime warranty.
This panel integrates various technologies like half-cut and multi busbar (MBB) cells. MBB can shorten over 50% of the current conduction distance and thus lower the internal ribbon resistance loss. With finer and narrower busbars, more sunlight can be reflected back to the round ribbon, thus increasing energy efficiency.
These panels also use half-cell technology. Two pieces of half cells are connected in series, so the power loss caused by ribbon resistance is reduced to 1/4 of that in full cell, which results in decreased electrical resistance within the ribbon which improves the overall efficiency of module by more than 2%.
Using the latest PERC technology, an extra layer is added to every cell which helps reflect sunlight back into the cell to capture more photons to convert into energy. This gives the panel extremely high power output, especially in low light conditions.
It's these features that mean our solar panels produce 330W+ from a size where most panels only produce 270W at the best of times, making it the optimal choice for DIY solar power.
Batteries Specifically Designed for Solar
All our kits come with our now famous 200Ah 12V battery.
We have specifically engineered this battery for solar usage. This battery has incredible cycle life for a price well below competing batteries. The only downside is that at 60kg, this battery is HEAVY! Don't be fooled by other deep cycle batteries claiming to be 200Ah and being easy for a single person to carry!
Because of its plate design it is much faster to charge to 100%. We use calcium instead of antimony in the lead plates, so this battery draws a high charge current right up to 100%. While most other lead acid batteries need hours of trickle charging to reach a true 100% charged, which is impossible in a solar situation.
We are so confident in this battery we offer our warranty based on a 50% Depth of Discharge (DoD), while most companies only warranty a 20% DoD. Why get a battery you can only use 20% of?
All Hardware Included in our Solar Panel Starter Kits
This kit is a complete solar package that comes with every component needed to get up and running.
All cabling, crimp connections, circuit breakers, mounting hardware are included in the kit. We also offer the tools required if you wish to make any changes or alterations to the base kit.
This kit comes with a choice between a 4 panel ground mount and a 4 panel roof mount. We use the highest quality Chiko equipment for our mount kits.
Depending on your setup you may need to buy conduit to run the wire through, which is not included in the kit, as this will vary for every install.
Feature Rich Equipment
We supply our kits with EPEVER charge controllers and inverters. EPEVER equipment offers features to match the most expensive equipment in the game, at a price people can actually afford.
The standalone inverter comes with a universal wall outlet, which means you can run any standard household appliances off it, without having to wire it into a switch board.
Both the charge controller and the inverter can be connected to a WiFi or bluetooth module, which allows more detailed configuration and monitoring.