Ironing clothes is one of the most common questions we get. "Will my solar carry pressing iron?" Here is the simple answer.
How much power an iron uses
Look at the label under the iron. Most dry irons in Nigeria say 1,000W to 1,200W. Steam irons can be 2,000W or more.
The iron heats, then clicks off, then heats again. So it does not use full power all the time.
What inverter you need
| Inverter | Ironing? |
|---|---|
| 1.5kVA–2kVA | Risky. Iron alone may trip it. |
| 3kVA | Yes, with little else on. |
| 5kVA | Yes, with fridge, fans and TV on. |
Best time to iron
Iron between 10am and 3pm. The sun is strong. Panels make most of the power. The battery stays full for the night.
How much battery it uses
30 minutes of ironing ≈ 0.3 to 0.5kWh. At night, that comes from your battery. In the day, panels cover it.
Other heavy items
Kettles, microwaves and hair dryers are similar. Do not run them all at once. Read can solar power a microwave and kettle.
