If you’ve already installed solar and battery storage but still can’t run your whole home, you’re not alone. Many homeowners start with a small setup and later realize they want to power everything — from air conditioning to water pumps — without relying on the grid.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to upgrade both production and storage to handle heavy loads like 2× 1-ton mini-split AC units, a water pump, multiple refrigerators, and the rest of your home’s appliances.
Why Your Current System Falls Short
A typical “starter” solar setup might be enough for lights, electronics, and some appliances. But when you add:
- Mini-split AC units (biggest continuous draw in summer)
- Water pumps (short but high surge demand)
- Refrigerators (24/7 cycling)
- All other home loads
…the demand quickly exceeds your solar production and battery storage capacity. The result? Batteries run low, inverters overload, and you still need the grid or a generator.
Step 1: Calculate Your Daily Energy Needs
To size an upgrade, start with your daily kWh usage and peak load.
Example:
|
Device |
Power (W) |
Hours /Day |
Energy (kWh/day) |
|
Mini-split AC (x2) |
900W each |
8 hrs |
14.4 kWh |
|
Water pump |
1,500W |
1 hr |
1.5 kWh |
|
Refrigerators (x2) |
150W each |
24 hrs |
2.4 kWh |
|
Other household appliances |
~800 W |
6 hrs |
4.8 kWh |
|
Total |
— |
— |
23.1 kWh/day |
Add 20–30% margin for cloudy days and efficiency losses → ~28–30 kWh/day.
Want a faster way to size your solar system? Use our free Solar Calculator to instantly design the right setup for your needs.
Step 2: Increase Solar Panel Capacity
Your current system: 4.5 kW solar array × ~5 peak sun hours/day = ~22–23 kWh/day (best case).
Consider increasing capacity by:
- Adding more panels if space allows
- Replacing with higher-wattage panels to get more power per square foot
- Reconfiguring panel tilt or orientation to maximize year-round sunlight
A good target for running multiple AC units and household loads might be 8–10 kW of solar depending on your climate and usage.
Step 3: Upgrade Battery Storage
More power production means little if you can’t store it for later. Upgrading battery storage allows you to run heavy loads longer without relying on the grid.
Consider:
- High-capacity lithium batteries for longer lifespan and higher discharge rates
- Ensuring your inverter can handle higher battery input voltage and capacity
- Configuring enough battery kWh to cover evening and night use
Example: If you currently have 16 Rolls lead-acid batteries (~24–48V system), upgrading to a modern lithium bank could double usable storage with less maintenance.
Batteries should cover 1–3 days of autonomy without sun.
For 30 kWh/day usage:
- 1-day backup: ~36 kWh battery bank (incl. reserve).
- 3-days backup: ~100 kWh battery bank.
Explore our eForce 48V Lithium Solar Battery designed for efficiency, safety, and durability.
Step 4: Optimize Your Inverter
Your inverter needs to handle both continuous load and surge load:
- Continuous: ~6–8 kW (based on all devices running).
- Surge: ~2–3× continuous (for AC startup & pumps).
Choose an inverter that’s:
- Hybrid-capable (solar + battery + generator input).
- Scalable if you plan to add more panels or batteries later.
Check out the Envy 12kW hybrid inverter — built for efficiency, reliability, and heavy loads.
Step 5: Plan for Expansion
Don’t feel pressured to upgrade everything at once. Many homeowners expand in phases:
- Upgrade inverter first to handle heavy loads.
- Add more solar panels.
- Increase battery storage over time.
Example Upgrade Path
- Here’s what a recommended upgrade might look like for your home:
- Solar Panels: Increase from 4.5 kW to 9–10 kW.
- Battery Bank: Upgrade to ~25 kWh lithium storage (expandable).
- Inverter: 12 kW hybrid inverter with 2–3 MPPT inputs.
- Optional: Auto-start generator for long cloudy periods.
Conclusion
A well-sized solar + battery system can absolutely power your entire home — including AC, pumps, and refrigerators. The key is matching production and storage to your actual needs and planning for future expansion.
If you’d like a personalized system sizing recommendation, send us your current setup details and daily energy usage. We’ll help you design an upgrade plan that keeps your home running comfortably year-round. Contact Us~
