Complete off-grid solar system: full shopping list step by step

Off-grid living is perfectly viable if you plan every component well. The difference between a system that lasts 25 years and one that leaves you dark every winter is in the details. Here's the full list.

1. Solar panels

For an average off-grid home (6 kWh/day) plan for 2.5-3.5 kW DC sized for winter. Modern 410-450 W monocrystalline. Safe brands: Longi, JA Solar, Trina, Canadian Solar, REC, Q Cells.

2. Racking and DC wiring

Anodised aluminium racking for roof or ground mount (figure $70-110/panel). 10 AWG solar wire for short runs, 8 AWG for long. Genuine MC4 connectors (cheap ones fail). DC combiner box with fuses and DC surge protection.

3. MPPT charge controller or hybrid inverter

Small systems: MPPT charge controller (Victron, EPEver, Morningstar) 60-150 A. Medium/large: hybrid inverter combining MPPT + inverter + battery charger (Victron MultiPlus II, Voltronic, Schneider XW).

4. LiFePO4 battery bank

For 2 days autonomy at 6 kWh/day: 13-15 kWh nominal. Safe brands: Pylontech, BYD, Huawei Luna, Victron, Battle Born. Make sure the BMS talks to your inverter (CAN bus or RS485).

5. Inverter (if not hybrid)

Pure sine wave, minimum 3,000 W continuous for basic living, 5,000-8,000 W with pumps, washer, AC. Must handle motor surge (3-5× rated).

6. Service panel, protection and monitoring

• Main service panel with circuit breakers
• 30 mA GFCI on AC side
• Lightning arrestors DC and AC if exposed location
• Dedicated ground rod for the inverter
• Battery monitor (Victron BMV-712 shunt) is mandatory
• Remote monitoring screen or app

7. Backup generator

Painful truth: an inverter gasoline generator (Honda EU3000is, Yamaha) costs $900-1,800 and saves you in long bad-weather stretches. You'll use it 30-100 hours/year.

To refine each piece read: what battery to choose, picking an inverter and off-grid country home.