UPDATE: The price of 150/35 MPPT has come down, so it's better to have two charge controllers instead of 1. I have updated the diagram on my website.
📖 My Best-Selling book on Amazon: https://cleversolarpower.com/off-grid-solar-power-simplified
Link to the diagram: https://cleversolarpower.com/48v-off-grid-solar-cabin-3kw-solar-10kwh-battery/
6x 415W Solar Panels: https://cleversolarpower.com/go/415W
Victron MultiPlus 48/3000VA: https://cleversolarpower.com/go/multiplus3000VA
Victron 150/60 Charge Controller: https://amzn.to/4ighTal
Champion Generator: https://amzn.to/3OIXqgQ
2x 48V 100Ah Batteries: https://cleversolarpower.com/go/redodo48V100ah
Or batteries on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4g01XY8
MRBF Fuse holder 1 stud: https://amzn.to/41mA8Vp
2 studs: https://amzn.to/49wrDcw
80A fuse: https://amzn.to/4gjwiAE
50ft red + 50fr black 6AWG Cables + lugs: https://amzn.to/3OJM3VC
DC Breaker: https://amzn.to/4gkUuCO
30A Y-Combiner: https://amzn.to/3ZCTRPp
2x 20A MC4 Inline Fuses: https://amzn.to/49qiH8r
AC Distribution Box: https://amzn.to/3ZmDKUD
Shunt: https://amzn.to/41ldH2R
Grounding busbar: https://amzn.to/49l6z8N
50ft 8AWG PV cable: https://amzn.to/3Zr8yDM
32A GFCI: https://amzn.to/3Bp3bNl
20A AC breaker: https://amzn.to/41kQBcM
Link to the three part video series on grounding, neutral ground bonding, and GFCI: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLi_7z97HnKTiMmx3TzaPuzMsljxcAg3iN
In this video, I’ll walk you through designing a reliable off-grid solar system, perfect for powering your cabin or remote retreat all year round. My book, Off-Grid Solar Power Simplified, was recently featured in the TV series Earth Abides, and I’ve crafted this guide with the same attention to detail to ensure you can confidently create your own system. From calculating energy needs to grounding your system for safety, this tutorial covers everything step by step.
We’ll start by sizing your system, one of the most critical steps in the design process. You’ll learn how to calculate your daily energy consumption by listing your appliances, their power ratings, and usage time. I’ll show you a sample calculation for common appliances like fridges, lights, and laptops, so you’ll have a clear understanding of how to tailor this step to your needs. With your energy needs calculated, we’ll size your battery bank to ensure you have enough power for three days of autonomy—perfect for those cloudy or snowy days when solar power is limited.
Next, we’ll dive into solar panel requirements, where you’ll see how to calculate the number of panels you need based on your location’s sunlight hours. Using tools like my free solar tilt calculator and PVWatts (https://pvwatts.nrel.gov), I’ll guide you through adjusting your panel setup for optimal performance in places with limited winter sunlight, like Houghton, Michigan. For snowy climates, I recommend using ground-mounted panels for easier maintenance, and I’ll explain how to wire the panels in series and parallel for efficiency.
Then we’ll focus on wiring the solar panels and sizing the charge controller. I’ll show you how to calculate the voltage and current requirements to ensure your system operates efficiently. You’ll also learn about protecting your setup with inline fuses and DC breakers and how to select the right wire size to prevent voltage drops (https://www.rapidtables.com/calc/wire/voltage-drop-calculator.html) over longer distances. This section is crucial for keeping your system safe and effective.
Once the charge controller is set up, I’ll walk you through wiring it to the battery bank. We’ll calculate wire and fuse sizes for safe connections, and I’ll explain how to install a shunt to monitor your battery’s state of charge. From there, we’ll add the inverter, which allows you to power standard household appliances. I recommend the Victron MultiPlus 48V/3000VA inverter for its reliability and ability to handle surges, and I’ll show you how to connect it properly with fuses and cables.
For those colder months when solar alone might not meet your energy needs, I’ll cover integrating a backup generator into your system. I’ll recommend an affordable and reliable generator and explain how to connect it to the inverter for battery charging. We’ll calculate how long it takes to recharge your batteries with the generator, giving you a complete backup plan.
We’ll also go over setting up your AC distribution board, where you’ll learn how to safely wire the system to power appliances like microwaves and lights. I’ll explain the importance of using proper breakers, cables, and GFCI protection.
Finally, we’ll wrap up with grounding and safety, one of the most important aspects of off-grid solar design. I’ll show you how to set up both DC and AC grounding, bond the system correctly, and avoid issues like double bonding when using a generator.
For just $6,000, you’ll have a complete, reliable off-grid solar setup that can power your essential appliances year-round.