.png)
What Size Volt Wagon Do I Need?
- Hannah Lubbe
- Jul 29
- 5 min read
One of the first questions we hear from customers is:
"What size Volt Wagon do I need?"
It's a great question—but the answer isn't simply "small," "medium," or "large."
Every operation is different, which means every Volt Wagon is designed around your specific power requirements. Whether you're running irrigation equipment on a farm, supplying power to a construction site, supporting a remote mining operation, or providing electricity for an event, choosing the right system starts with understanding what you need to power.
The good news is that you don't need to be an electrical engineer to work it out. That's our job.
It Starts With Your Equipment
The size of your Volt Wagon is determined by the equipment you need to run—not by the industry you're in.
Before recommending a solution, we'll ask a few simple questions:
What equipment do you need to power?
How many items will be running at the same time?
How many hours per day will they operate?
Will they be used during the day, at night, or both?
Do you expect your power requirements to grow in the future?
These answers allow us to recommend a system that delivers reliable performance without paying for capacity you don't need.
Every Application Is Different
Volt Wagon is used across a wide range of industries because portable power solves different problems for different businesses.
Construction
Construction sites often need reliable power for:
Site offices
Power tools
Welding equipment
Concrete equipment
Lighting towers
Security systems
As projects move from site to site, Volt Wagon moves with them, eliminating the need for permanent infrastructure.
Agriculture
Farmers commonly use Volt Wagon to power:
Centre pivots
Borehole pumps
Irrigation systems
Farm workshops
Electric fencing
Remote site offices
Lighting
One farm may only require power for a borehole, while another may need to operate multiple irrigation systems. That's why every recommendation is based on your equipment rather than a standard package.
Mining
Mining and exploration operations use Volt Wagon for:
Remote camps
Pumps
Communications equipment
Workshops
Security systems
Lighting
Reliable off-grid power is essential where access to electricity is limited or unavailable.
Events and Temporary Installations
Volt Wagon is also ideal for:
Outdoor events
Festivals
Catering facilities
Mobile bars
Film and television productions
Exhibitions
Temporary retail spaces
Wherever temporary power is required, mobility becomes a major advantage.
Don't Worry If You Don't Know Your Power Requirements
One of the biggest misconceptions is that customers need to calculate everything before contacting us.
You don't.
If you're unsure, simply send us any of the following:
A list of the equipment you want to power
Photos of the equipment rating plates
Motor or pump specifications
Your existing generator size
Your electricity bill
Photos of your installation
A brief description of how you plan to use the system
From there, we'll calculate your requirements and recommend the most suitable Volt Wagon.
Understanding kVA, Batteries and Solar Panels
People often hear terms like kVA, battery capacity, and solar panels, but they're not always sure what each one does.
A simple way to think about it is:
The inverter is the engine. It determines how much equipment can run at the same time.
The battery is the fuel tank. It stores energy for use when solar production is low or after sunset.
The solar panels are the fuel station. They recharge the batteries using energy from the sun.
All three components work together, so selecting the right combination is far more important than simply choosing the biggest system available.
Bigger Isn't Always Better
Many people assume the largest system is automatically the best investment.
In reality, oversizing a system can increase costs unnecessarily, while undersizing it can limit performance.
Our goal is to recommend a Volt Wagon that provides the power you need today while allowing room for future growth if required.
The right system is one that's correctly matched to your operation—not simply the biggest one available.
Why Starting Loads Matter
Some equipment, particularly electric motors, requires significantly more power to start than it does while running.
For example, a pump may only use a modest amount of power during normal operation but require a much higher surge of electricity for a few seconds when it starts.
If a system isn't designed to handle these starting loads, performance can be affected.
That's why we ask about motor sizes, pumps, compressors, welders and other high-demand equipment before recommending a solution.
Battery Capacity Depends on How You Work
Battery storage isn't determined by the size of your business—it's determined by how you use your power.
For example:
Do you only need power during daylight hours?
Will equipment run into the evening?
Do you require overnight backup?
Will solar have enough time to recharge during the day?
Answering these questions helps determine the right balance between battery storage, solar generation and overall system size.
A Real-World Example
Imagine a customer needs to power:
One borehole pump
A small workshop
Security lighting
An electric fence
A remote office
Instead of choosing a system based purely on total power consumption, we'll also consider:
Which equipment runs together
Which motors have high starting loads
How many hours the equipment operates each day
Whether battery backup is required overnight
Future expansion plans
This approach ensures the Volt Wagon is designed specifically for the customer's operation.
How We Choose the Right Volt Wagon
Our process is simple.
Step 1
Tell us what equipment you need to power.
Step 2
We'll calculate your power requirements.
Step 3
We'll recommend the most suitable Volt Wagon for your application and budget.
Step 4
You receive a mobile solar solution that's built around your operation—not the other way around.
Not Sure Which Volt Wagon You Need?
That's exactly what we're here for.
Whether you're in agriculture, mining, construction, events, telecommunications, tourism, municipal services or any other industry, we'll help you choose a system that delivers reliable, efficient power wherever it's needed.
Every Volt Wagon is designed around the customer, because no two operations are exactly the same.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to know my exact power requirements?
No. Simply provide us with information about the equipment you want to power, and we'll do the calculations for you.
Can Volt Wagon be customised?
Yes. Every Volt Wagon can be configured to suit your equipment, operating hours and budget.
Can I upgrade my Volt Wagon later?
Many systems can be designed with future expansion in mind. Let us know your long-term plans during the design process.
Can one Volt Wagon power different applications?
Yes. As long as the system has been correctly sized, it can be moved between sites and used for different applications.
What information should I send for a quotation?
A list of equipment, photos of rating plates, motor specifications, generator size, electricity bills or even photos of your site all help us recommend the right solution.
Conclusion
Choosing the right Volt Wagon isn't about buying the biggest system—it's about selecting the one that's right for your operation.
By understanding your equipment, operating hours and future plans, we can recommend a mobile solar solution that provides reliable power while making the best use of your investment.
If you're not sure where to start, simply tell us what you need to power. We'll take care of the rest.
Suggested Internal Links
Home
About Volt Wagon
Applications
Agriculture Solutions
Construction Solutions
Mining Solutions
Hire Options
Rent-to-Buy
Contact Us
Suggested Image Alt Text
Mobile solar trailer powering irrigation system
Volt Wagon at a construction site
Portable solar power for mining operations
Mobile off-grid power solution
Solar trailer for remote work sites
Portable battery storage trailer
Volt Wagon in Zimbabwe
Mobile solar trailer for temporary power
Comments