Lets design a DIY solar setup to get me off the grid. I have numbers of 160KWatts used over a period of 54 days. I am going with a 24v system or 48v system (discuss) how many solar panels if they are 250w each, 290w each, plus size of charge controller and inverter

Let’s dissect your goal: Off-grid solar capable of handling **160kWh over 54 days**. That’s about **2.96kWh/day**, which is modest and very doable—unless you’re running a crypto farm or a Death Star.

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### ⚡ 1. Daily Usage Recap:
**160kWh / 54 days = ~2.96kWh/day**

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### ⚙️ 2. System Voltage — 24V vs 48V
– **24V** pros: Cheaper components, easier for small setups.
Cons: Heavier cabling, more current = more losses. Better under ~2kW loads.
– **48V** pros: More efficient for higher power (~3kW+), smaller wires, lower current.
Cons: Slightly pricier components, more strict wiring discipline.

> 💡 **Verdict**: Since you’re close to 3kWh/day, **48V** is the smart play for expansion, efficiency, and safety margin. Go 24V only if you’re *absolutely sure* you won’t scale up later.

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### ☀️ 3. Solar Panel Calculation (Assuming 5 Sun Hours/Day)

#### Target Daily Output:
To get 2.96kWh usable daily, factor in 20% losses →
**2.96kWh ÷ 0.8 ≈ 3.7kWh/day needed from panels**

#### Panel Count:
| Panel Wattage | Watts Needed | Panels Needed |
|—————|————–|—————-|
| 250W | 3700W | ~15 panels |
| 290W | 3700W | ~13 panels |

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### 🔋 4. Battery Bank Sizing (Assume 2 Days Autonomy)

**2.96kWh × 2 = 5.92kWh** storage needed
At **48V**:
**5920Wh ÷ 48V ≈ 123Ah**

But lead-acid shouldn’t go below 50% → double it:
**~246Ah @ 48V**
Lithium? Then 125–150Ah is enough (you can use most of the capacity).

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### 🔌 5. Charge Controller Sizing (MPPT strongly preferred)

Assume 3700W of solar panels:

| Voltage | Current at Full Sun (3700W ÷ V) | Suggested Controller |
|———|——————————-|———————-|
| 48V | ~77A | **80A MPPT** |
| 24V | ~154A | Giant, inefficient |

> 🔥 **Stick with 48V** and get **an 80A MPPT controller**.

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### ⚡ 6. Inverter Sizing

– Base load: 3kWh/day → say max **1.5kW continuous** draw?
– Safe bet: **3kW 48V pure sine wave inverter** for startup surges, tools, etc.

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### 📦 Summary:

– **Daily Need:** 3kWh/day (rounded)
– **Panels:** 13 x 290W or 15 x 250W
– **System Voltage:** 48V
– **Battery Bank:** ~246Ah (lead) or ~150Ah (lithium) at 48V
– **Charge Controller:** 80A MPPT
– **Inverter:** 3kW 48V pure sine wave

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Want a visual wiring diagram for this setup?