Solar panels for an off-grid cabin

An off-grid cabin is the perfect solar case: modest loads, no cheap grid access, huge comfort value. Here are three investment tiers by use (weekends, full summer, year-round residence).

Tier 1 — occasional weekends ($350-700)

• 200-300 W monocrystalline panel
• 20-30 A MPPT controller
• 100 Ah 12.8 V LiFePO4 battery (1.28 kWh)
• 500-1,000 W pure sine inverter
• Direct 12 V LED lighting (more efficient than via inverter)
• Covers: lights, USB, small router, 12 V travel fridge

Tier 2 — full summer month ($1,400-2,300)

• 2 × 410 W monocrystalline panels
• 3 kW hybrid inverter with built-in MPPT
• 5 kWh LiFePO4 battery (Pylontech US3000C or similar)
• Service panel with breakers
• Covers: fridge, microwave, occasional washer, TV, 24h router

Tier 3 — year-round off-grid residence ($4,000-7,500)

• 5-6 × 410-450 W panels
• 5-6 kW hybrid inverter
• 10-15 kWh LiFePO4 battery
• 3 kW inverter gas generator as backup
• Direct DC water pump (no battery)
• Handles all residential loads except large central AC

Special cabin tricks

• Heat water with solar thermal, not PV: saves panels and inverter
• Cook with propane, not induction: cuts electric demand 40%
• Wood or pellet stove: electric heat on PV is very inefficient
• 12 V fridge vs 120 V: 12V uses 30-40% less

For detailed components read complete off-grid system and off-grid country home.