{"id":2318,"date":"2026-09-21T13:31:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-21T10:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mits.sa\/%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b7%d8%a7%d9%82%d8%a9-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b4%d9%85%d8%b3%d9%8a%d8%a9-%d9%84%d9%84%d8%a7%d8%b3%d8%aa%d8%b1%d8%a7%d8%ad%d8%a7%d8%aa\/"},"modified":"2026-10-17T08:30:00","modified_gmt":"2026-10-17T05:30:00","slug":"solar-for-rest-houses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mits.sa\/en\/solar-for-rest-houses\/","title":{"rendered":"Solar energy for rest areas and camps: How to choose the right system?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Choosing solar power for rest areas and campsites begins with two questions: Is the site connected to the electricity grid, and what devices will be running at night? A rest area connected to the grid is often suited to a grid-tied system that takes advantage of net metering, while a remote rest area or campsite needs a separate system with batteries, and its size is determined by the nighttime loads, especially air conditioners.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mits-box\"><strong>In short:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A rest area with an electricity meter: The connected system exports the surplus from weekdays and deducts from weekend consumption.<\/li>\n<li>Remote rest stop or campsite: a separate system with panels, lithium batteries, and inverter.<\/li>\n<li>The lights, refrigerator, and fans are easy to operate, but the air conditioner at night increases the size of the batteries several times.<\/li>\n<li>Start with a list of actual loads before selecting any components.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h2>The nature of leisure activities differs from that of home.<\/h2>\n<p>The house is used almost daily, while the rest house is used intermittently: mostly on weekends and holidays, with most gatherings occurring in the evening and at night. This difference completely changes the way the design is made.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The loads are concentrated after sunset: outdoor lighting, screen, fans, and sometimes air conditioners.<\/li>\n<li>Weekdays the break may be almost empty, so the production of the panels is not consumed.<\/li>\n<li>The desert areas on the outskirts of Riyadh, Qassim or Al-Ahsa are dusty and may be far from the network.<\/li>\n<li>Seasonal camps require a system that can be disassembled and moved.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Which system suits your situation?<\/h2>\n<table class=\"mits-t\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>the condition<\/th>\n<th>The appropriate system is often<\/th>\n<th>the reason<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>A rest stop inside the city with a meter<\/td>\n<td>On-Grid<\/td>\n<td>Surplus on weekdays is exported and deducted from subsequent consumption.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>A remote rest area with no electricity<\/td>\n<td>Off-grid with batteries<\/td>\n<td>There&#039;s no network, and the batteries cover the night.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Rest stop on a diesel generator<\/td>\n<td>Hybrid: Panels and batteries with a backup generator<\/td>\n<td>Reduce generator operating hours and fuel consumption<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Seasonal camp (winter or spring)<\/td>\n<td>Small, portable, detachable system<\/td>\n<td>Disassemble and store after the season<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h3>Networked break: An unexpected feature<\/h3>\n<p>Some might think that solar power isn&#039;t useful for a vacation home that&#039;s only used two days a week. In fact, net metering makes this situation perfectly suitable: the panels produce electricity throughout the week, and any surplus energy is fed back into the grid and deducted from subsequent consumption according to established clearing procedures. So, when you turn on your air conditioning and lights at the end of the week, part of your energy consumption has already been covered.<\/p>\n<p>The regulatory framework covers systems from 1 kilowatt to 2 megawatts for all subscriber categories. Implementation is carried out by a contractor qualified by the Electricity Regulatory Authority, and connection and connection are handled by the Saudi Electricity Company. Verify the current procedures with the relevant authorities before starting. The residential electricity tariff is 18 halalas per kilowatt-hour up to 6,000 kilowatt-hours per month and 30 halalas per kilowatt-hour for consumption exceeding that, according to the tariff announced at the time of writing. Consult the Saudi Electricity Company for the current tariff figures.<\/p>\n<h2>Example: A separate system for a wilderness rest area<\/h2>\n<p>Let&#039;s assume a rest area far from the grid north of Riyadh, and the daily loads on usage days are as follows (illustrative figures, and it is more accurate to read the capacity of each device from its label):<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>LED lighting: 15 bulbs x 10 watts x 6 hours = 0.9 kilowatt-hours.<\/li>\n<li>Refrigerator: Let&#039;s assume 1.2 kilowatt-hours per day.<\/li>\n<li>Screen and receiver: 150 watts x 5 hours = 0.75 kilowatt-hours.<\/li>\n<li>3 fans: 3 x 60 watts x 8 hours = 1.44 kilowatt-hours.<\/li>\n<li>A domestic water pump, 1 horsepower (0.746 kW) for approximately one hour, uses approximately 0.75 kWh.<\/li>\n<li>Charging mobile phones and small devices: 0.3 kWh.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Daily total:<\/strong> 0.9 + 1.2 + 0.75 + 1.44 + 0.75 + 0.3 = approximately 5.34 kilowatt-hours.<\/p>\n<h3>Battery counting<\/h3>\n<p>Nighttime consumption in this example: full lighting 0.9 kWh, screen 0.75 kWh, half refrigerator 0.6 kWh, half fans 0.72 kWh, small appliances 0.3 kWh, totaling 3.27 kWh. With 80% deep discharge lithium phosphate batteries and a 95% inverter efficiency:<\/p>\n<p>3.27 \u00f7 0.8 \u00f7 0.95 = approximately 4.3 kWh, so a 5 kWh battery provides a comfortable margin. Details of the method are in the article. <a href=\"\/en\/solar-battery-sizing\/\">Calculating battery capacity for nighttime operation<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Panel and inverter calculations<\/h3>\n<p>Assuming 5 hours of effective sunlight and total losses of 20% (a factor of 0.8): 5.34 \u00f7 (5 \u00d7 0.8) = approximately 1.34 kW. We choose 3 panels \u00d7 550 W = 1.65 kW, to allow for battery charging margins on dusty days.<\/p>\n<p>The inverter is chosen according to the largest load synchronous with the starting current of the pump and refrigerator. In this example, a hybrid or separate inverter with a power of approximately 3 kilowatts is sufficient.<\/p>\n<h2>What if you wanted to run an air conditioner at night?<\/h2>\n<p>Here the system&#039;s power consumption changes significantly. A 18,000 BTU split air conditioner draws approximately 1.6 to 2 kilowatts during operation. If it runs for 6 hours at night:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>1.6 \u00d7 6 = 9.6 kWh, and 2 \u00d7 6 = 12 kWh.<\/li>\n<li>The battery required for it alone: 9.6 \u00f7 0.8 \u00f7 0.95 \u2248 12.6 to 12 \u00f7 0.8 \u00f7 0.95 \u2248 15.8 kWh.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This means that a single air conditioner running at night requires approximately three times the battery capacity of the entire room. Practical solutions include: running the air conditioner during the day directly from the panels to cool the room before sunset, relying on a backup generator during peak nighttime hours, or opting for a larger system if nighttime air conditioning is necessary. Read more in the article. <a href=\"\/en\/solar-air-conditioning\/\">Operating air conditioning using solar power<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mits-tip\"><strong>\ud83d\udca1 Tip:<\/strong> If your rest area is kept closed during the week in a separate system, leave the refrigerator at a moderate temperature and turn off unnecessary appliances; this way, the batteries will be fully charged by the end of the week. With lithium batteries, there&#039;s no problem keeping them charged for extended periods, unlike lead-acid batteries which tend to be partially discharged.<\/div>\n<h2>Choosing batteries for breaks<\/h2>\n<p>Lithium phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries provide approximately 3,000 to 6,000 cycles at a depth of discharge of 80 to 90%, while gel and lead-acid batteries provide approximately 500 to 1,500 cycles with a recommended depth of discharge of around 50%. This means that a gel battery requires a much higher nominal capacity for the same usage and is more susceptible to heat in non-air-conditioned storage rooms. Therefore, lithium remains the more suitable option for rest stops and camping.<\/p>\n<h2>Tips for camping and wilderness locations<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Detachable structure:<\/strong> A ground-level structure with bolts and removable bases, offering good wind resistance. You can assess the structure via <a href=\"\/en\/solar-mounting-structure-calculator\/\">Solar Mounting Structure Calculator<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cable protection:<\/strong> Extend them inside pipes or underground so that they are not damaged by being trampled or by animals.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Location of batteries and inverter:<\/strong> Inside a well-ventilated, shaded room, away from direct sunlight and dust.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cleaning:<\/strong> In wilderness locations, dust accumulates quickly, and dirty panels charge batteries more slowly.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Safety:<\/strong> Proper grounding and suitable circuit breakers, especially if there are children on the site.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Steps to choosing the right system<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Write a list of each device, its capacity, and the number of hours it is operated during the day and night.<\/li>\n<li>Specify whether the site is connected to the network, relies on a generator, or has no electricity.<\/li>\n<li>Decide what should be operated at night and what can be moved to the daytime.<\/li>\n<li>Calculate the panels, batteries, and inverter, or use <a href=\"\/en\/solar-energy-calculator\/\">Solar Energy Calculator<\/a> For a preliminary assessment.<\/li>\n<li>Request a design from a specialist who will review the numbers and select compatible components.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Learn about our solutions on the page <a href=\"\/en\/solar-energy\/off-grid\/\">Separate systems<\/a>Or read an article <a href=\"\/en\/off-grid-solar-system\/\">A standalone solar power system: when you need it and how to design it<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<div class=\"mits-faq\">\n<h3>Is solar energy worth a break if I only use it on weekends?<\/h3>\n<p>If it&#039;s connected to the grid, yes in many cases, because weekday production is exported and deducted from your subsequent consumption. If it&#039;s off-grid, the comparison is with the generator and fuel costs.<\/p>\n<h3>Can I run an air conditioner in the camp using solar power?<\/h3>\n<p>During the day, yes, panels are sufficient, but at night, large batteries are needed. Many people combine panels with a backup generator for nighttime air conditioning.<\/p>\n<h3>How many panels do I need for lighting, a refrigerator, and fans only?<\/h3>\n<p>In the example above, approximately 5.3 kWh per day was achieved with 3 x 550W panels and a 5 kWh battery. The actual figure will vary depending on your devices.<\/p>\n<h3>Should I leave the system at the camp after the season ends?<\/h3>\n<p>It is best to remove the batteries and inverter and store them in a safe, shaded place, and inspect the panels and frame before the next season.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mits-cta\">\n<p><strong>Do you need a suitable system?<\/strong> The MITS team designs and installs solar systems for rest areas and campsites according to your actual loads and location, whether connected or separate.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/en\/contact\/\">Get a Quote<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"https:\/\/wa.me\/966575993880\">WhatsApp 0575993880<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"\/en\/solar-energy-calculator\/\">Try the calculator<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How to choose solar energy for rest areas and camps? A comparison between a connected and disconnected system, a calculated example of panels and batteries, and what running the air conditioner at night means for the size of the system.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2317,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"slug_en":"","footnotes":"","seo_title":"","seo_title_en":"Solar for Rest Houses and Camps: Choosing the Right System","seo_description":"","seo_description_en":"Choosing solar for rest houses and camps: grid-tied vs off-grid, a sized example for panels and batteries, and what running an AC at night means."},"categories":[40],"tags":[143,54],"class_list":["post-2318","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-40","tag-143","tag-54"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mits.sa\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2318","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mits.sa\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mits.sa\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mits.sa\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mits.sa\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2318"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mits.sa\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2318\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2365,"href":"https:\/\/mits.sa\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2318\/revisions\/2365"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mits.sa\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2317"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mits.sa\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2318"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mits.sa\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2318"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mits.sa\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2318"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}