Installing Solar Panels on Shipping Containers: How-To & Tips
All About Installing Solar Panels on a Shipping Container
Are you considering mounting solar panels on a shipping container and wondering what to keep in mind? This article offers a concise overview to help you understand the key considerations and shows you some real-world examples.
Can you put solar panels on a shipping container roof?
Absolutely! Mounting solar panels on shipping containers is becoming increasingly popular. As photovoltaic panels become lighter and more affordable, and interest in renewable energy grows, more people are turning to solar-powered container solutions.
Upgrading your shipping container home or your container office with solar power can help to reduce electricity costs or even make the transition to off-grid living possible. These systems can power heating, lights, computers, etc. making them highly convenient for shipping container homes, offices and so on.
How many solar panels fit on top of a 20ft shipping container?
The number of solar panels that can fit on top of a 20 ft shipping container depends on the panels' size and arrangement. Standard solar panels are typically about 1m, (3.25ft) wide and 1.9m (6.25) ft tall, with each panel covering around 17.55 sq ft. The container's rooftop area measures approximately 14.4m2 (155 sq ft)
A 20ft shipping container can typically accommodate 6 to 12 solar panels, depending on panel size and mounting configuration. With six to twelve 300W panels, you can expect around 1.8 kWp to 3.6 kWp of power. For more compact setups or higher-efficiency panels (400W or more), up to 12 panels could generate as much as 4.8 kWp.
This all assumes that you are able to orient your container optimally for the sunlight exposure.
How many solar panels fit on top of a 40ft shipping container?
A 40ft container provides double the length and roof area of a 20ft container, so in theory that can mean twice the number of solar panels, and twice the power output. However, practical factors like structural integrity, panel orientation, and maintenance access could limit the number of panels that can be installed. twice the amount of panels likely means around twice the wind resistance, so frames will need to be strong enough to cope with the additional weight and potential movement. Our roof brackets for shipping containers can help stabilise solar frames along the long length of the container.
Where should I place the container for best sunlight exposure?
To maximise solar energy capture throughout the day, the shipping container should be positioned with its long sides running east to west. This ensures that the broad roof surface faces south (in the Northern Hemisphere) or north (in the Southern Hemisphere), providing the best exposure to sunlight for solar panels. The next best option is to position it with its short sides running east to west. Both these arrangements will mean that you can keep your solar panels and frame square to the container, and their alignment optimal for sunlight capture.
Of course, it also is best to avoid areas which are in the shade at any time of the day or year. Remember to consider that the sun is much lower in the sky during winter in many parts of the world. There are several apps available which will show you exactly how low it will be in the depths of winter which will allow you to see if the sun will be obstructed by nearby trees or buildings.
Why are people mounting solar panels on containers?
Shipping Container Homes
Portable Site Offices
Agricultural Usage
Energy Generation
What are the benefits of installing solar panels on a shipping container?
Using solar panels on a shipping container offers several benefits:
*The container itself provides the structural support for the solar frame, so there’s no need to build a new structure, or dig foundations
*The container is easily portable so it offers a reliable additional power source in remote locations
*Solar-mounted shipping containers may be able to sidestep planning regulations.
*The container can provide the shelter for the battery storage system that the panels feed into
*Offers energy independence / self-sufficiency for container buildings in off-grid locations
*Reduces electricity costs
*Supports sustainability as it reduces reliance on fossil fuels
*Lowers your carbon footprint
Regardless if it is for your container home, for a shipping container office, a converted shipping container café, or another type of mobile business - using the sun as a power source is an eco-friendly, independent, and in the long run cost-saving solution.
What are possible challenges when installing solar panels on a shipping container roof?
Some challenges and things to plan when mounting your solar panels on a container roof are:
- The solar panels and frame need to be safely secured to the container to withstand local environmental conditions.
- The weight of the panels and frame should rest on the corner castings and top side rails of the container and not on the roof panels.
- The angle and positioning of the panels will need to be adjusted for optimal sunlight exposure -either the container needs to be rotated east-west, or the panels must be rotated on the container.
- Additional equipment such as batteries and inverters might need to be mounted or installed close-by.
- The solar panels are mounted with enough space to access them for ongoing cleaning & maintenance.
What maintenance is required for solar panels?
Maintenance typically involves regular cleaning of the panels to remove dust and debris, inspecting connections and mounting hardware for wear and tear.
To make sure everything operates smoothly and efficiently it is necessary to monitor the system’s performance. The good thing is: most solar panels come with warranties that cover performance for as long as 20-25 years, but it’s essential to follow manufacturer guidelines for maintenance.
How to mount solar panels on a shipping container?
Mounting solar panels on a shipping container involves several steps to ensure a stable as well as efficient setup. We recommend you take a look at the solutions of two of our customers.
Clinic in a Can: Flexible solar mounting for mobile healthcare
One example is Clinic in a Can, who provide fully equipped medical clinics inside solar-powered shipping containers. The Clinic in a Can project is a great example of how solar power can make shipping container-based facilities completely self-sustaining. Their units rely on solar panels to power essential medical equipment, lighting, and air conditioning. Clinic in a Can’s unique approach makes it possible to deploy healthcare facilities to remote or underserved areas.
With Domino Clamps, their solar panels can be easily mounted and dismounted on any ISO shipping container without the need for drilling or welding. This flexibility makes it possible to adjust or relocate solar installations as needed. It ensures a secure and efficient setup of the panels with minimal structural impact on the container. Clinic in a Can is now using a combination of channel framing and Domino Clamps for several of their clinics as it provides a stable and straightforward way to install solar panels.
Clinic in a Can used our Domino Clamps and Steel angle brackets to secure their solar panel frame. Reach out and send us an email if you need advice.
Solar Chiller: Secure installation for remote locations without power tools
Another example comes from a student engineering project at the University of Liverpool, which collaborated with a farming collective in Zanzibar to create a solar-powered cold storage facility, the Solar Chiller. They used Domino Clamps and brackets to attach a Unistrut frame to the container roof.
Their modular design can be assembled and disassembled with just hand tools, which makes it accessible regardless of experience or even access to power. As this setup fits six panels it makes efficient use of the container's roof and covers almost the entire roof area.
Read the case study about mounting solar panels on a shipping container to see how they installed their system for this project.
Conclusion - Making the most out of your container roof with solar power
Solar panels on shipping containers provide a smart and sustainable way to generate energy, for container homes, offices, or remote shipping container facilities. Overall, they are a great way to use the roof of a shipping container.
With solutions like Domino Clamps and Unistrut framing, installation is easier, more flexible, and avoids the need for drilling or welding. If you're considering solar panels for a shipping container, learning from real-world applications like Clinic in a Can or the Solar Chiller can offer valuable insights into how these setups work in practice.
Here are a few key takeaways from our article:
- A 20ft container can fit 6 to 12 panels (approx. 2.4–4.8 kWp), while a 40ft container can hold 12 to 24 panels (approx. 4.8–6 kWp), depending on setup and efficiency.
- Flexible as well as sturdy mounting solutions like Domino Clamps and Unistrut framing make installation easier without damaging the container.
- Projects like Clinic in a Can and the Solar Chiller project demonstrate how solar power can transform shipping containers even into fully self-sufficient facilities.
- If you ensure the structural integrity of the container, distribute the weight properly, secure panels against wind and weather, and position them for optimal sunlight exposure, you can fully enjoy the benefits of solar power generated on top of your container.
Further Reading & Resources
For more information, check out Unistrut Starter Kits, or watch our video on how to attach Unistrut to a shipping container using Domino Clamps for solar panel mounting and other applications.
If you have any questions, leave us a comment below or contact us via email. We’d be happy to help!
