Is 100W Enough? Choosing the Right Solar Panel Size for Digital Nomads

1. Introduction: Why 100W is the Starting Point 

If you’ve done any research, you’ve heard about the 100W solar panel. It’s the standard baseline, and it's perfect for emergency kits or weekend use.

But here is the truth: a 100W panel is rarely enough for a remote worker.

The problem is that the wattage rating (100W) is the peak power the panel produces in a lab under perfect conditions. It’s not what you get in the real world. You need to stop thinking in Watts and start thinking in Watt-hours (Wh).

The only calculation that matters is: Daily Wh Consumption vs. Daily Wh Production. These calculations work for any panel type, whether roof-mounted or portable.

While this guide focuses on solar panel size, it’s important to understand how this fits into your overall setup. For a bird’s-eye view of everything from batteries to panel types, see The Ultimate Guide to Off-Grid Power for Digital Nomads & Van Life.


2. The Core Sizing Calculation 

Sizing your solar panels requires two quick steps.

Step 1: Know Your Daily Consumption (Wh)

You must know the total energy you pull out of your battery in a day. This number usually ranges from 500Wh to 1,500Wh for full-time nomads, depending on the fridge size and laptop use.

Step 2: Calculate Real-World Production (Wh)

This is where the reality check happens. A 100W panel only produces peak power for about 4 to 6 hours of usable sunlight per day. The rest of the day, it produces much less.

Instead of trying to calculate every minute, use this rule of thumb:

A 100W solar panel produces, on average, between 300Wh and 400Wh per day. This assumes quality panels from reputable brands; cheap no-name panels often produce 20% to 30% less than their rated output.

If your laptop, fridge, and router use 1000Wh per day, a single 100W panel will only replace 30% of what you used, leaving you with a 600Wh to 700Wh daily deficit. You'd be bankrupting your battery every day.

To avoid a dead battery during a work session, use a solar generator runtime calculator to match your panel wattage to your laptop's specific power draw.

 


3. What Kills Solar Output: The Reality Check

Your peak panel size is a lie because these factors reduce the output of even the best systems:

  • Shade: Even a small amount of shade on one corner can drastically reduce the output of the entire array. Always keep them clear.

  • Angle/Orientation: A flat panel on a roof loses huge amounts of power. Panels angled directly at the sun are far more effective.

  • Temperature: Solar panel efficiency drops as the temperature rises. This means your panels produce less power in the middle of a hot summer day.

  • Weather and Season: Clouds are obvious killers, but even haze reduces output. In winter, when the sun is low, production can drop by 50% or more compared to summer. If you're van-lifing year-round, size your array for winter production and enjoy the battery surplus in summer.

If you are having any issues with your power station, see: Power Station Failures: Simple Fixes for Common Off-Grid Problems.


4. Sizing by Nomad Tier 

Here is a practical look at what wattage is typically needed for different nomad lifestyles, assuming you want to run purely off solar:

  • Weekend Warrior (500Wh daily consumption):

    • Needed: 200W of panels.

    • Reason: This size covers a small 12V fridge and basic phone charging/lights. You’ll be fine for a couple of days of work.

  • Full-Time Nomad (1000Wh daily consumption):

    • Needed: 300W to 400W of panels.

    • Reason: This is the minimum required to keep up with daily laptop work, a constant router, and continuous fridge use. This usually requires three or four 100W panels.

  • Home Replacement (2000Wh+ daily consumption):

    • Needed: 600W to 800W of panels.

    • Reason: This large array is needed to run high-draw items like induction cooktops or to handle the massive energy pull of a high-power device like Starlink.

5. Conclusion: The Buffer Rule 

Always size your solar array to produce more than you need. The buffer is your protection against clouds, poor angles, and morning shade.

Most solar systems are expandable. You can start with 200W and add another 100W panel later as your power needs grow. When adding panels, ensure they match in voltage and wire them correctly (parallel or series) to avoid damaging your charge controller.

 

The Final Rule for Mobile Solar:

Always size your solar array to produce at least 1.5 times your actual daily consumption.

If you need 1000Wh per day, aim for a system that can theoretically produce 1500Wh. This allows your battery to charge fully on a slightly cloudy day.

Now that you know how big the system needs to be, you need to decide what panel type to buy: Rigid vs. Flexible vs. Foldable: Choosing the Right Solar Panel for Your Van.

Picking the Right Solar Equipment: