A Deep Dive into Off Grid Solar Systems

Here, we explore all of the considerations over design, component choice, system sizing, and energy efficiency necessary for off-grid solar systems. We primarily look into solar panels, power generators/ convertors for camping. We cover both minimal use and high use scenarios along with corresponding products.

"Don't just get a solar panel and think you're good to go, you're going to need some setup even at the most basic level."

The DIY Official Off the Grid Solar System Guide for 2024

Estimating energy needs: The first step in designing an off-grid solar system involves accurately estimating the amount of energy needed. The total power in watts used by all the appliances you intend to operate should be calculated. The daily usage of each appliance can be estimated by multiplying wattage by the number of hours used per day (here’s an easy reference, an electric iron uses 1000 watts at 400W per hour, 2 hours per day). Take seasonal variations in usage into account to ensure a stable energy supply throughout the year.

Typical Off Grid Solar Kit Component Selection:

• Panels: Monocrystalline solar panels deliver the best efficiency and the best bang-for-buck in terms of physical space for most off-grid residential systems. SunPower, Bluetti and LG are known to be the leading manufacturers of premium, high-efficiency panels.

  • Read our buyer guide on Bluetti Solar Panels to see our pick for 2024.

• Batteries: Simply put, batteries are the heart of an off-grid system; what kind you choose is exceedingly important in terms of storage of the energy your system produces. Lithium-ion batteries might cost more upfront, but have much longer life cycles and better depth of discharge (DoD) than lead-acid. Tesla Powerwall and LG Chem, for example, are some of the better-known brands in the battery market.

  • For more information see our 2024 Solar Battery Guide.

• Inverter: The inverter takes the DC electricity your panels or batteries produce and turns it into AC electricity your appliances require. If you’re off grid, search for pure sine wave inverters for their efficiency as well as high compatibility with sensitive electronics. OutBack Power and SMA are both brands with proven reliability and a focus on off-grid inverter solutions.

  • We cover inverters in greater detail in our article on Solar and Wind Inverters.

Designing your system for reliability: Your solar system must be sized to fulfil your peak load requirement for the time period of cloudy weather without solar input. Second, we recommend designing your system so your PMG and battery storage equal or exceed this amount with a little fudge factor to account for inefficiencies and unanticipated increases in usage.

So, putting it all together, to design an off-grid solar system for your home or some other purpose you simply have to figure out the energy needs that you have, select the right components that most likely have the best efficiency and quality for the application from good brands, and size the system appropriately so that it can reliably supply the energy that you need.

An off-grid solar system will need to be designed different for different circumstances; we’re going to cover camping in a tent, living in an RV or living in an off-grid house. Here is a basic version of likely energy use, and how many watts of solar power plus batteries are required to be comfortable in all of the different situations.

Our DIY Team Recommends This 400W Solar Panel by EF Ecoflow

Camping in a Tent:

Expected Energy Use: For charging low-power electrical equipment (phone, camera) and lighting (maybe even a small fan).

Power requirements: 50-100 watts, this translates roughly to one or two small small solar panels measuring around 1 meter square. A small kit complete with one or two boards, a battery pack and cables should suffice. There are plenty of good, portable kits like this on the market (Brands such as Goal Zero and Anker produce great compact and portable options for small vans and tents).

RV Living:

Expected Energy Use: Lighting, charging devices, refrigerator (small), possibly a small microwave, and heating/air-conditioning elements (periodically)

Wattage: Here we’re probably looking at 400 to 800 watts to make living comfortable. You’ll also need a full battery bank with a higher amp-hour capacity (a lithium-ion setup is ideal), and a heavy-duty inverter to accommodate the peaks produced by appliances such as microwaves or air conditioners. If you’re just starting out and seeking a one-stop-shop kit that will allow you to go off-grid, Renogy and Zamp Solar provide orchestrated RV solar kits.

Off-Grid House:

Expected Energy Use: For all household appliances – refrigerator, washing machine, lights, TV, computer and HVAC systems. Likely to be dramatically different depending on the efficiency of appliance purchases; size of the house; and the family’s lifestyle.

Watts Required: A suitable system for a typical small to medium house seeking off-the-grid living will start at 5,000 watts (5 kW) in ideal circumstances and goes up from there, depending on all the above. The system should include a large array of high-efficiency solar panels, a large bank of batteries capable of storing energy for days at a time (recommended are lithium-ion parameters for their relatively long lifespan and efficient charging and usage), and a very high-capacity inverter. Such system should include a wall battery system (we cover that in this article you can read here) with a combination of SunPower, Bluetti or LG panels.

What's the most cost-effective way to start with off-grid solar for a small home?

Morrison: Here’s the deal, prioritize your energy needs and start small. Choose a system that covers your basic needs—lighting, phone charging, and maybe a refrigerator. A system around 1-2 kW can be a good start. Going with panels that gives you good efficiency, and considering used or refurbished components for non-critical parts of your system can also save costs. Always plan for scalability so you can expand your system as your budget allows.

Can DIY installations save me money on an off-grid solar system?

Morrison: Absolutely, but here’s the thing… DIY installations can reduce your costs if you know what you’re doing on electrical systems. However, know your limits. For basic setups, such as installing panels and setting up batteries, if you're comfortable and knowledgeable, go for it. When you get to more complex parts, like wiring your inverter, checking your ego and getting a professional might prevent costly mistakes.

Are there any hidden costs in setting up an off-grid solar system?

Morrison: Haha, yeah there are a few areas that often surprise my clients. Firstly, battery replacement—know that batteries have a finite lifespan and they’re going to need replacement. Second off… maintenance costs, including cleaning panels and servicing components (read up on how to clean solar panels here). Lastly, system inefficiencies—plan for about 20% more capacity than your calculations suggest to account for real-world results. Be pleasantly surprised if you over project, make sense?

How can I ensure my off-grid solar system is as efficient as possible to keep costs down?

Morrison: Start by using LED lighting and energy-efficient appliances - look efficiency starts with what you’re doing not what you’re bringing in. Position your solar panels to get the most out of sun exposure, and consider adding a solar tracker to increase efficiency. Regular maintenance, like cleaning your panels, also goes a long way. Additionally, if you can add in wind turbines to your setup - well, this can offset periods when solar generation is low, maintaining your energy supply without needing to oversize your solar setup is key.

What’s the best advice for selecting batteries on a budget?

Morrison: While lithium-ion batteries offer the best performance and lifespan, they come at a premium. If you're on a strict budget, consider deep-cycle lead-acid batteries as a starting point. They're more affordable, just don’t go for something that is going to catch on fire with no real reviews - I’ve seen it happen.

Q&A with DIY's In-House Electrical Consult Tim Morrison: How to Not Break the Bank with Off Grid Solar Systems

Three Off Grid Scenarios to Simulate Your Needs

The Full Picture of an Off-Grid Solar System

Our DIY Team Highly Suggests You Read our Article on Home Solar Batteries Before Making any Off Grid Solar Panel Purchase

Recommended Off-Grid Solar Products

As is often the case in a plethora of off-grid solar products it is easy to get lost. But you have a head start, as we have done some of the work for you and have compiled a list of some of the best products on the market in 2024. Here are some of the best and most recognized solar brands: Bluetti, EF EcoFlow and Jackery. They are not only reliable and efficient but also offer the best value for the money. We have included generators, panels, inverters and portable power stations.

Bluetti - DIY's Top Brand Choice For Panels

Generator: Bluetti AC200P Portable Power Station With a 2000Wh lithium battery and multiple output ports, it's a versatile and powerful choice for emergency power or off-grid camping.

Panel: Bluetti 200W Solar Panel With high conversion efficiency, this foldable solar panel pairs seamlessly with Bluetti power stations for efficient off-grid charging.

Inverter: Included within their portable power stations, Bluetti integrates pure sine wave inverters, ensuring efficient and reliable power conversion directly within their units.

EF EcoFlow - DIY's Top Brand Choice for Generators

Generator: EcoFlow DELTA Pro Portable Power Station. Offering a hefty 3.6kWh expandable capacity, it's a powerhouse for off-grid living, emergency backup, or extensive camping trips.

Panel: EcoFlow 160W Solar Panel. Lightweight and portable, this panel is designed for high performance and durability, making it an excellent companion to EcoFlow's power stations.

Inverter: EcoFlow's power stations, such as the DELTA Pro, include built-in pure sine wave inverters, providing safe and efficient AC power from their battery reserves.

Jackery - DIY's Top Choice for Consistent Product Reliability.

Generator: Jackery Explorer 1000 Portable Power Station. It strikes a balance between portability and power, suitable for camping, RV use, or as a backup power source.

Panel: Jackery SolarSaga 100W Portable Solar Panel. It's designed for ease of use and portability, offering efficient solar charging for Jackery's power stations.

Inverter: Jackery's portable power stations come with integrated pure sine wave inverters, ensuring that devices are powered safely and efficiently.

Off Grid Solar Power Kits and Families - What's Our Advice?

The Practicality of Solar Power for Individuals or Small Families Going Off-Grid

Now, the size of a family is the main differentiator. Small families can make a comfortable and economical switch to off-grid solar power; the same cannot be said for large families. It becomes difficult to maintain such a household without a significant increase in complexity and investment. With this wider window into practicality, we can see the beneficiaries of solar power for off-grid living as smaller family units.

Small Family Advantages:

Smaller families use less energy than larger ones, making the transition to off-grid solar power simpler and less expensive. That’s because a household using two or three kilowatt-hours of electricity a day, which is about all a household of two to three people needs to light and electrify a home, power a phone, laptop and small appliances, is straightforwardly served by a system that -- today amounts to a small setup of high-efficiency solar panels connected to a mid-sized battery bank capable of storing at least a day’s worth of electricity. So, it’s a smaller system than one needed to serve a larger family, and thus less expensive to buy and easier to maintain.

Cost Dynamics:

Since the size of the family and thus the energy needs increase with each member, a dramatic shift in the practicality of going solar - especially off-grid - occurs. Larger families require a lot more energy to heat, cool, run their appliances, and play their video games. At some point, the solar array and its battery storage are extremely large and very expensive. You’re talking about a solar array that could fill the roof of your house, and a battery bank the size of a small car. And as energy demands increase, the price jump isn’t linear – it’s exponential. Think about it like this, once you factor in the extra batteries you need, a larger/heavier inverter, and a bigger panel array - you then have to account for each system being double, triple or even higher in price. For smaller families, if you can keep your energy needs relatively low, off-grid is possible without breaking the bank. As Tim Morrison stressed, keep everything expandable.

Making It Work:

Don't just rely on good paneling or inverters. You need to buy energy-efficient appliances, train to use less energy, and design your solar systems carefully, calculating exactly what you’ll need based on precise energy consumption estimates.

A Reality Check:

While ‘going off-grid’ and using solar power has a seductive lifestyle appeal, smaller families doing so need to be pragmatic and realistic about what they’re getting themselves into. It’s an expensive initial investment, and one needs to maintain the system so it keeps performing well. Furthermore, it requires lifestyle changes to try to live by your system. Perhaps you may need to decide not to purchase an energy-using washing machine or dryer, or if you have one, you adjust the thermostat settings so that it’s using only a minimal amount of energy.

For our Artice on DIY Solar Power Banks

If Interested in Maximizing Solar Electric Efficiency

Concluding Insights on Off Grid Solar Electricity

This article about off-grid systems has tried to show that a shift to solar power is not solely a technical shift, but a lifestyle choice. It involves an upfront financial investment and a lot of work up front, from installation to a host of physical and logistical changes. It also requires a close understanding of one’s energy habits and a willingness to change those habits. It is inappropriate, therefore, to measure the viability of solar power on economic terms alone; it must be measured on environmental terms of sustainability and stewardship.

It has emphasized the need for forethought, detailed calculations of energy needs, careful choice of equipment, and the scale of such installations. We hope the above has convinced the reader that this is not a wild fringe venture, but that, if you can face up to the complexity, the installation of off-grid solar panels offers a significant possibility of energy independence.

The road to off-grid living for smaller households is possible – but difficult. Not one to be casually taken, committed and informed consideration is a must. Informed by the right perspective and spirit, we believe that individuals can make welcome, due judgments and take robust steps, in a tent or a home, toward off-grid living.

Because of the bifacial design by JJN, our DIY team picked this Panel for Fixed Use

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This Guide Covers

Cost Analysis and Product Analysis

• Product advice for 2024

• Wattage dependent analysis

• Expected Product Life for Kits

Designing Your Off-Grid Solar System

• Assessing energy needs

• Component selection (panels, batteries, inverters)

• Sizing your system for reliability

Optimization Techniques for Off-Grid Solar

• Maximizing solar panel efficiency

• Battery management for longevity

• Inverter selection and energy conversion

Selecting the Right Off-Grid Solar Power Kits

• Kit components and their functions

• How to choose a kit based on your needs

• Top considerations for kit selection and durability

External Resources for Guidance:

Homeowner’s Guide to the Federal Tax Credit for Solar Photovoltaics | Department of Energy

ConsumerAffairs | Solar Companies