One Year Off Grid Solar Power System Update

We have been running our Off Grid Cabin off of solar power for one year now! How is it doing ? Time for an update!

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[wayneduff-riddell]

We have a very similar system and have lived totally off-grid for nearly 9 years. With only a little more panel capacity we run a normal front-loader washing machine as well as two large fridges and an electric kettle during the day. A lot has to do with when you do things . On a sunny day, once the batteries are charged, the panels are idling, might as well use that power for washing, kettle, slow cooker and so on. One can do a lot with little just by adjusting one's life style a little.

[diyforbroke]

I would insulate the battery shed with like 3 inches of foam, the inverter and the solar charge controllers should generate enough heat to keep it below freezing, if not add a DC heater, the dc heater will dry up the moisture and keep the battery relatively warm. Good job on your set up

[silvursprings]

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Jay! First for being realistic! Second for calling out the BS that so many people buy into with unrealistic, unattainable off grid homesteads. 90% of us are everyday folks like you and Jen and we are striving for simplicity, sustainability and tranquility. So many people are bamboozled by the glitz and glam of unrealistic off grid channels on YT. I don't get it. I appreciate channels like you and Jen because I can learn and apply it to what's realistic for me. Thank you! Love y'all! ❤️🇺🇸❤️ Side note: have you two though about burying one of those caged IBC totes to act as a cistern? I saw a guy in Ohio bury something similar, utilizing a small 12 volt pump. Of course the lines above ground would still need winterized and insulated. Just a thought. Y'all take care! 😊

[marcielynn]

22 years off the grid in Hawaii. Simple system, simple needs. Propane for most appliances. Water from the roof.

[cf]

Jay and Jen, Simple and efficient =effective. Your approach to this whole effort has been a fun thing to watch and very informative. Some of the “architectural digest” off grid properties are amazing but have to be outlandishly expensive. Yours is what most people would aspire to. Great job.

[wobdeehomestead]

Nice system guys. Your absolutely right about some of the big expensive systems. We have a 2 kw system at our off grid cabin and it runs our well, fridge, freezer, lights fans and even and ac unit for 4-5 hours. Over the last 3 years I think it has come close to paying for itself. Keep up the great work!

[Akasanaesp]

I know the video is 2 years old but I appreciate it nonetheless. I enjoyed your sheer honesty and expressing your views on simple way of living without having to break the bank.
I am relatively new to solar and still learning about controllers, wiring setups, inverters, amps, watt, direction, roof or no roof, and lifepo4 vs acid.


I took the beginner's and more expensive route due to my lack of experience so I bought some solar generators like bluetti and just hooked up a few solar panels for now.

I'm still learning but I have about 1200w of solar panels, 3000w bluetti solar generator and 1500w vtoman solar generator. I also bought a prefabricated mini 200w, 40ah, inverter and control kit just to get the hang of wiring and setup for future expansion. Power is good from mid March until late September for normal consumption but I don't have enough power during the other months. The system barely charges during November until February. Like basically 10-20w/hr.

If anyone is reading this, I'm open for suggestions and recommendations. I live on Gulf islands in BC.

Stay free and be healthy!

[Super]

I loved the simplicity of your approach.
Congratulations

[liamokeeffe]

Hi Jay & Jen I think you are both the most honest people regarding the ups and downs of achieving your Off Grid Dreams. Keep up the great work.😀👍

[trudeehanson]

Thanks for the info Jason, It gives us on-grid peeps hope that we can do this if we put our effort and dollars toward it.

[charlesa]

Thats a sweet set up, Maybe you should build a root celler on the side of the hill for food storage and or do something similar for your water situation, maybe an underground tank(s) so the water doesn't freeze.

[lawrencengu]

I like how Jay get straight into the Costing of building the system unlike other, making the costing a mystery. it pisses me off for someone who wanted to build the system to save money, as it is an important information. Thank You for not shy of revealing the costing for the system. Supporting your work.

[donaldjackson]

That’s fantastic love your setup, just got done setting up an off grid garage with 6 solar panels producing 1, 200 watts of power and love it.

[lisabibby]

New subscriber here and I just wanted to thank you for sharing this solar experience as well as being so real about what it's capable of. Looking forward to more of your content.

[dicksamuels]

I want to thank you for this encouraging video report on your solar system. I am also put off by the high ticket systems featured by some Youtubers. They are out of our price range. I live in western Pennsylvania and am installing a solar system similar to yours. I am putting in 1200 watts of solar panels on the roof of our woodshed, which is about 2 feet from the corner of our house where the electric service panel is located. I have a 60 A MPPT solar charge controller, 200 AH of 24 V LiFePo4 batteries, and a 2500 W inverter, hardwired to an interlocked breaker in our service panel. I intend to use this system for backup power for our water pump, refrigerator, cell phones, router, radios and a few lights. I hope to double the size of our battery bank later this year. Thanks again.

[carvel]

There are floating electric water heaters. Pit one in a tank or barrel and keep it full of snow for winter water. If it is outside just wrap your container with insulation. In Canada that is how we kept the cattle trough clear in the winter in my younger years.

[coreysmith]

I love the honesty and care you put into what you do. So happy you guys keep doing YouTube.

[watavuemountain]

Another Awesome video y'all. We appreciate the breakdown and realistic view on the system. Just like you said, some other channels almost make you feel bad if you don't have the latest greatest 20K system. Keep going and sharing. Thanx again... Be Safe!!

[vonheise]

It is amazing how two of you did so much. The saw mill is expensive, but saved you a lot in the long run. There are now lithium batteries with built in heaters, or you could insulate the shed well and put a heater in it, or as you said in the house itself with the wood heat. I use the self heating batteries on my camper, but rarely camp in weather below 20° F. My brother could not get power for a couple years to a house they built in the Oxarks, and they ran an old wash machine off a fairly small generator and and used a solar hot box to provide heat to a small clothes dryer to tumble the clothes. Snow melts on a wood stove for water. When no snow, I have no idea other than bigger tanks to store more water.

[bryansmith]

Very good information. Myself being a electrician I have a good understanding of this system but folks who don't have the training I have. This is excellent