The Perfect Off-Grid Power System:
I’ve been in the off grid space for about 15 years, in that time I’ve designed multiple systems and published many designs for cabins, homes, solar power systems, water systems, and even off grid villages. Throughout it all there’s been a common theme with folks trying to go off grid. They always, without fail, and with no deviation, always want and need to know “How much power do I need to run my off grid home?” Over time I started to see a pattern in energy usage and how folks were able to live off the grid without every running out of power while also being able to use all the modern day conveniences and appliances and charge all their devices. I realized that if you simply created a power system with backups built into it, you can run your off grid homestead indefinitely and never be without power. This system I believe is the perfect off grid power system that keeps your home running 24/7 without ever worrying about outages, energy bills, or fuel shortages? Let’s dive into a setup that ensures total energy independence, balancing renewable energy and backup power.
There are just a few main components to this power system. The main idea is to provide the same or more power than the average suburban home which is approximately 30Kwh per day.
The Key Components:
- 40 kWh Battery Energy Storage System – LifePo4 Your energy reserve, ready to power your home day and night.
- 5 kW Solar Array – Harnesses the sun’s energy, producing a massive 25 kWh of power on an average sunny day.
- 1000W Wind Turbine – Wind never stops, generating 12 kWh of power daily, even after the sun goes down.
- 2500W Propane Generator – The backup workhorse, with a 100-gallon propane tank producing 938.6 kWh in total, ready to kick in when needed.
DETAILS:
40 kWh Battery Energy Storage System (LifePo4)
A robust 40 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LifePo4) battery bank designed to be the backbone of your home’s energy reserve. This reliable energy storage solution provides seamless, long-lasting power through day and night. Engineered to hold a substantial amount of energy, it ensures your home remains powered through cloudy days, nighttime, and even unexpected power outages. This battery setup operates at 48 volts (wired in series), a standard in the industry for high efficiency, durability, and ease of integration with renewable energy systems.
5 kW Solar Array
Consisting of 10 high-efficiency 500+ watt solar panels, the 5 kW solar array is a powerful system for harnessing solar energy. Mounted on a ground array, these panels are easily accessible for cleaning and maintenance, ensuring maximum efficiency. On an average sunny day, this array produces up to 25 kWh of clean, renewable energy, significantly offsetting daily energy usage and helping to keep the battery bank fully charged. This setup minimizes reliance on backup power sources and reduces electricity costs.
1000W Wind Turbine
When the sun goes down, the wind turbine steps up. Rated at 1000 watts, this turbine can produce around 12 kWh of power daily, depending on wind conditions. Installed to supplement the solar array, the wind turbine helps top off the battery system during the night or on cloudy days, maintaining consistent energy generation around the clock. The addition of wind energy ensures an extra layer of resilience, especially in locations with strong night winds, making it a reliable partner to solar energy.
2500W Propane Generator with 100-Gallon Tank (Expandable)
As a dependable backup for emergencies, the 2500-watt propane generator, ideally a quiet model like Honda, ensures you have a solid fallback. With a 100-gallon propane tank, this generator provides an impressive 938.6 kWh of energy when needed. For those looking for long-term survival power or off-grid living, a larger propane tank of 500–1000 gallons is recommended, extending the generator’s capacity significantly. This setup offers an added layer of assurance, activating automatically or on-demand to provide power when both solar and wind resources are low or during system maintenance.
Here’s the pricing on the solar array and battery system:
| Component | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| 500W Solar Panels (x10 for 5 kW) | $2,000 to $4,000 |
| Mounting Hardware | $200 to $500 |
| Wiring and Connectors | $100 to $200 |
| Charge Controller | $300 to $600 |
| Inverter | $500 to $1,500 |
| Batteries (40 kWh LiFePO4) | $10,000 to $20,000 |
| Digital Meter | $100 to $300 |
| Electrical Panel and Breakers | $200 to $500 |
| Main Breaker | $50 to $150 |
| Additional Cables and Wiring | $200 to $400 |
| Calculation | Minimum Cost | Maximum Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Panels | $2,000 | $4,000 |
| Mounting Hardware | $200 | $500 |
| Wiring and Connectors | $100 | $200 |
| Charge Controller | $300 | $600 |
| Inverter | $500 | $1,500 |
| Batteries | $10,000 | $20,000 |
| Digital Meter | $100 | $300 |
| Electrical Panel | $200 | $500 |
| Main Breaker | $50 | $150 |
| Additional Wiring | $200 | $400 |
| Total | $13,650 | $28,150 |
This off grid energy system combines the best of solar, wind, and propane backup power for a self-sustaining, low-maintenance setup.
It is tailored for anyone looking to reduce dependence on the grid, achieve energy independence, or prepare for emergencies with a reliable energy system that meets the demands of modern living.
The Numbers Behind the System:
- Daily Energy Needs: The average suburban home uses 30 kWh of energy per day.
- Renewable Power Production: The combination of solar and wind energy in this setup provides 37 kWh per day, 7 kWh more than your daily consumption.
Daily Energy Needs
The average suburban home consumes about 30 kWh of electricity per day to meet standard household needs such as heating and cooling, lighting, appliances, and electronics. By designing an off-grid power system to consistently produce at least this amount of energy daily, you ensure a reliable supply that keeps your home powered without interruptions, even when weather conditions fluctuate.
Renewable Power Production
This off-grid system harnesses both solar and wind energy to deliver approximately 37 kWh of power per day, comfortably exceeding the average daily consumption. The 5 kW solar array, with its 10 high-efficiency panels, contributes up to 25 kWh on a sunny day, while the 1000W wind turbine provides an additional 12 kWh, especially valuable during nighttime or cloudy days when solar production is limited. Together, these renewable sources generate a total of 37 kWh per day, giving you a buffer of 7 kWh above the average suburban home’s daily needs.
This surplus not only helps cover any unexpected energy spikes but also ensures the battery bank can stay fully charged, allowing your home to remain powered through low production periods. In an off-grid system, this extra margin is essential, providing peace of mind that you won’t run out of power, even if conditions are less than ideal.
Ensuring Energy Independence
The renewable energy production in this setup, paired with a well-sized battery storage system, allows you to confidently meet your household energy demands without relying on the grid. This design prioritizes resilience and reliability, ensuring that your home is equipped to handle typical daily usage and unexpected peaks while offering flexibility and security for a fully off-grid lifestyle.
What Does This Mean?
With 37 kWh/day from renewables and only 30 kWh/day needed to power your home, you’re creating a 7 kWh surplus each day!
This extra energy is stored in your 40 kWh battery, meaning you’re constantly building a reserve of power while using clean, free energy.
Backup Power on Standby
Even if you hit a streak of cloudy days with no wind, you’ve got a 2500W propane generator standing by, ready to produce 938.6 kWh of backup power. That’s enough to power your home for over 31 days if needed—more than enough to outlast any natural event.
How Long Can You Run Off-Grid?
With the surplus from solar and wind, your system will run indefinitely under normal conditions, never needing to touch the generator unless you experience long periods of unfavorable weather. And even in those cases, the propane generator can step in, giving you weeks of additional power.
The Bottom Line:
This setup is more than just a power system—it’s off grid energy freedom.
You can run your home without ever touching the grid, worry about outages, or fear skyrocketing energy bills. It’s perfect for those who want to live sustainably, off-grid, or just prepare for the unexpected.
Are you ready to take the leap into total energy independence? Whether you’re living remotely or just want peace of mind, this off-grid system is the answer to endless, uninterrupted power.
Key Takeaways:
- Daily Surplus: 7 kWh/day extra, stored in your 40 kWh battery.
- Backup Generator: 938.6 kWh from a 100-gallon propane tank, providing over 31 days of extra power.
- Total Energy Freedom: Run indefinitely off solar and wind, with backup power on standby.
This is the ultimate off-grid power system. With the right setup, you can achieve energy independence and live completely off the grid without compromise.
With this system you will never have to worry about power again. You can live off grid and run all your appliances, devices and even your small workshop on this system.
This is true energy independence.
This is off grid freedom!
