RV, off-grid and 12V systems

How Many Solar Watts Keep a Starlink Mini Online Around the Clock?

Published September 23, 2026 · By the SolarPanelX editors · Prices and specs as of that date, from the pages under Sources

Summary

At the top of the Mini's listed average draw, 40 W, a full day comes to 960 Wh. Run through NLR's PVWatts model for New York, that takes roughly 270 W of panels on an average day across the year, about 210 W in July and about 470 W in December. A Standard dish, listed at 75 to 100 W, uses 1,800 to 2,400 Wh a day.

The three dishes side by side

	Mini	Standard	Performance
Average power	25 to 40 W	75 to 100 W	75 to 100 W
Energy over 24 hours	600 to 960 Wh	1,800 to 2,400 Wh	1,800 to 2,400 Wh
Power input	12 to 48 V DC, 60 W; over USB PD it needs 100 W (20 V/5 A) minimum with Starlink's USB-C cable accessory	only an AC supply (100 to 240 V) is listed	the Advanced Power Supply takes 100 to 240 VAC or 12 to 56 VDC
Dish weight	1.10 kg	2.9 kg	5.2 kg

Figures are from Starlink's specification sheets; the Standard sheet is titled "Standard 4X". On its help center, Starlink says its power figures cover the dish, Wi-Fi router, power supply and cables, and are based on AC input averages. Temperature, location and how hard the connection is used all shift the number.

Panel watts for 960 Wh a day in New York

PVWatts, set to New York with a south-facing 20° roof and 14% losses, puts one 430 W panel at about 555 kWh a year, 61 kWh in July and 27 kWh in December. Divided down to one watt of panel per day and applied to the Mini:

Period	Wh per panel watt per day	Watts for 40 W (960 Wh)	Watts for 25 W (600 Wh)
Year-round average	about 3.5	about 270	about 170
July	about 4.6	about 210	about 130
December	about 2.0	about 470	about 300

These are estimates for a fixed roof mount and leave out what is lost storing energy in a battery and drawing it back. Twelve hours of darkness at 40 W is 480 Wh coming out of the battery.

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Sources

We have not tested these products. Specs, prices, stock and terms are as published on these pages on the date above and can change; check the manufacturer or retailer before you buy.

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