Starlink Mini battery & solar calculator
Pick your dish, your battery and your panel. See how many hours — or days — you stay online, using Starlink's official power figures.
Free · no sign-up · data checked October 26, 2026
Official average: 25–40 W (about 15 W idle). Heavy use and snow melt push it up.
Needs a USB-C port rated 100 W (20 V / 5 A) and Starlink's USB-C cable accessory. Mini only.
Result
27 h 39 min
continuous runtime on battery alone
- Usable energy
- 922 Wh
- Need per day
- 267 Wh
- Solar per day
- —
- Days of use
- 3.5 days
For a full weekend (8 h a day, 2 days) without recharging, plan on about 600 Wh of rated capacity; for 3 days, about 900 Wh.
How we calculate
Usable energy = rated Wh × 0.9. Runtime = usable Wh × connection efficiency (90 %) ÷ average watts. Solar = panel watts × peak sun hours × 0.75 (heat, angle and controller losses). Real results vary with temperature, battery age and how hard the dish works.
Quick answers
| Setup (30 W average) | Continuous runtime |
|---|---|
| 512 Wh power station, USB-C PD | 13 h 49 min |
| 1,024 Wh power station, USB-C PD | 27 h 39 min |
| 1,024 Wh power station, AC outlet | 24 h 35 min |
The difference between the last two rows is the inverter. If your power station has a 100 W USB-C PD port or a 12 V output rated 60 W or more, use it — the Mini takes 12–48 V DC directly. Our 12 V guide covers the cables and the mistakes that cause reboots.
Questions people ask
How long will a 1,000 Wh power station run a Starlink Mini?
At a typical 30 W average, about 27 h 39 min through USB-C PD or 12 V DC, and about 24 h 35 min through the AC outlet, because the inverter wastes energy. Heavy use, cold weather and snow melt shorten it.
How many watts does a Starlink Mini use?
Starlink's specification sheet lists 25–40 W on average and about 15 W idle. The DC input is rated 12–48 V at 60 W, so short peaks above the average are normal at start-up.
Can I power a Starlink Mini from USB-C?
Yes, with Starlink's USB-C cable accessory and a USB-C Power Delivery port that supplies at least 100 W (20 V / 5 A). A 45 W or 65 W laptop charger is not enough.
What size solar panel do I need for a Starlink Mini?
For 8 hours a day at 30 W, you use roughly 270 Wh. With about 4 peak sun hours, a 100 W panel harvests around 300 Wh on a clear day, which just covers it; 200 W gives you margin for clouds and winter.
Is it better to use the 12 V output or the AC outlet?
DC (12 V or USB-C PD) is more efficient: about 90 % of the battery's energy reaches the dish, against roughly 80 % through an inverter. That's 10–15 % more runtime for free.