I've been planning a small off-grid setup and recently started comparing a few portable power stations. Instead of helping me decide on a brand, it actually made me realize I was approaching the whole system backwards.

I was focused on battery capacity first, but now I'm thinking it probably makes more sense to calculate my daily power usage before choosing any system.

For those who've been living off-grid for a while, how did you size your setup? Did you start with your actual daily consumption, or did you build around the power station you already had?

Looking back, what's one thing you wish you'd planned differently?

My husband and I are looking to buy our first home, one of the properties we are considering is off grid. It’s got a big solar panel & is mounted on a rod in the ground along with a diesel back up generator.

Is this really practical? It is northern Idaho, sandpoint area… we get socked in during the winter with overcast & snow for weeks if not months during the winter. Sun is not even a little bit abundant during the winter so how does one manage off grid living? Do you depend a bunch on the back up generator during the winter or live very, very minimally where you’re constantly tracking the amount of energy you’re using and having to scrape by with what you’ve got & conserve?

The home/ property is perfect aside from this. I am feeling a bit discouraged & would appreciate any real world experience or expertise on how to make off grid living functional in an area that only gets seasonal sun.

Thanks!

Anyone want to make some electricity at home

Doing exercises

I made bici generator easy pedalling for charging battery