Explore tiny-home solar with a cabin starting model.

Separate the shape of the home from its energy needs

Use measured cabin dimensions and panel sizes to explore the available roof area. The model does not infer consumption from floor area, occupancy or the word “tiny.” If your roof or obstructions differ substantially from the cabin model, treat placement and shading as conceptual. A home on wheels may instead benefit from the RV flat-roof scene, which also has its own geometry limits.

Record the loads you intend to serve and when they run. Continuous demand belongs in the household baseline; separately scheduled appliances should not also be counted there. Replace the demonstration appliance and battery values before interpreting output.

Choose the energy question you want to answer

The route starts with an off-grid draft. Keep it if you are exploring independent loads and storage. Choose Grid-tied in the wizard if the question is modeled self-use, imports and exports. Neither choice establishes connection permission or a complete equipment design.

• Roof fit: how many of your measured panels fit the supported roof surfaces?
• Timing: does your usage occur while panels generate, or does the scenario rely on stored energy?
• Power: does the entered inverter ceiling cover the modeled demand?
• Energy: when does storage fill or empty, and is any demand left unmet?

Use a bill carefully

If you have a representative electricity bill, monthly kWh divided by the number of days and 24 gives average kW; multiply by 1,000 for average watts. This is an even-load approximation. It does not tell you peak demand, appliance startup power or how much electricity you use during sunny hours.

Subtract any loads you model separately to avoid double-counting. For a home you have not lived in, build an explicit appliance schedule instead of treating someone else's bill as a measured result for your home. Review rates and payback assumptions if you use grid mode.

What the model cannot settle

It does not establish building suitability, transport loads, mounting strength, permits or electrical compliance. Annual output uses representative solar days and assumed skies, not local weather history. A favorable modeled day does not prove year-round independence.

Continue with the cabin setup guide for roof, wiring and storage steps, or read the methodology and limitations.

Keep exploring

Classic Solar Optimizer · Solar Schema · Original training videos