Following up on our discussion about Starlink in this thread - once I get reliable internet sorted, the next big challenge is figuring out the most efficient and cost-effective way to power a small off-grid residence.
What’s everyone’s advice on the best options for generating electricity when you’re completely disconnected from the grid? I want to make sure I’m considering all the viable alternatives before making any major investments.
I’m thinking of locations in the western half of the U.S. and Canada, not much further north than 500 miles north of the Canadian/US border, and not much further south than Colorado or Utah.
What are the top options I should be researching? I’m thinking:
Solar panels - seems like the most popular choice, but what about efficiency during winter months or cloudy periods?
Wind turbines - could work well in some areas which gets decent wind, but I’ve heard mixed things about residential-scale units
Micro-hydro - if there’s a small stream on the property, though I’m not sure if the flow rate would be sufficient
Generator backup - probably needed regardless, but hoping to minimize reliance on fuel
I’m particularly interested in hybrid systems that might combine multiple sources, like maybe a backup generator that can be recharged by solar, if there is such a thing? Any type of residence would be modest, probably looking at powering basic lighting, refrigeration, water pump, electronics, and maybe some power tools occasionally.
Budget is definitely a consideration, so I’m hoping to hear from folks who’ve actually implemented these systems about real-world costs, maintenance requirements, and performance.
What would you recommend as the most bang-for-buck options? Any systems or setups you’d definitely avoid?
Even if you don’t have first-hand experience, I’d still love to hear anything you’ve researched.
A friend of mine (a former electrician) told me about this solar-powered generator he has.
I haven’t bought one for myself yet because I don’t really need it that much. But if I were doing anything like what you’re talking about, I’d almost certainly get something like this - especially the package that comes with two solar panels.
It’s got a great rating and seems like a good idea all around.
@charlotteirwin I’ve been running a hybrid solar/generator system at my cabin in northern Idaho for about 3 years now, so I can share some real-world numbers.
My setup: 3.2kW solar array (8 x 400W panels), 800Ah lithium battery bank, 3000W inverter, plus a Honda EU3000iS generator for backup. Total cost was around $12k doing most of the install myself.
What’s worked well:
Solar handles 80-90% of my needs from April through September, even with occasional cloudy stretches
Lithium batteries were worth the extra cost - much better performance in cold weather compared to lead-acid
The Honda generator is quiet and fuel-efficient when I need it (mainly December-February)
Winter reality check: Solar production drops to maybe 20-30% of summer levels up here. December/January I’m running the generator 2-3 hours most days just to keep batteries topped off and run the fridge. Budget about 15-20 gallons of gas per month in the dead of winter.
Things I’d do differently:
Should have gone with 400Ah more battery capacity from the start
Micro-hydro would be amazing if you have year-round flow - friend of mine gets 1kW 24/7 from a tiny creek setup that cost him about $8k
Wind is tricky at residential scale - maintenance headaches and noise complaints even in remote areas
For your use case, I’d start with solar + batteries + generator backup. You can always add wind or micro-hydro later if you find you need more capacity. Skip the small residential wind turbines unless you’re in a seriously windy area - most don’t perform as advertised.
Happy to share more specifics about components if you want to dive deeper into any part of the setup.