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Best Off-Grid Solar System

By EarthTechling

Are you dreaming of going off the grid? This lifestyle has gained a lot of popularity over the last few decades and it just seems to become more popular every day. If this idea appeals to you, then you’ve come to the right place. Many people think that switching to solar has to be a big complicated process, but that’s not true. With a quality off-grid solar system kit, you can start using solar power today.

These kits come with everything you need to set up your first home solar system. As you would expect, there are many kits to choose from, which can make your decision a bit daunting. To make your life a little easier, we have done some research and compiled a list of quality solar kits that you will want to consider when it comes time to switch your home to solar. Take a look at our picks for the best off-grid solar systems, then keep reading for some useful tips that will help you to decide which kit would be best for you.

Top 3 Best Off-Grid Solar Systems of 2021

Reviews of the Best Off-Grid Solar Systems

Go Power! Solar Elite Complete Solar and Inverter System with 380 Watts of Solar

Go Power! Solar Elite Off Grid Solar System

Quick Look: 380W solar system kit. Comes with 30A Bluetooth controller, 2000W inverter/100A charger, digital inverter remote control, 50’ of cable, and mounting brackets. Check Price at Amazon

Many people think of going off the grid as a huge endeavor, but with this solar kit from Go Power!, it couldn’t be easier. This kit comes with everything you need to initiate a simple solar system for your home, cabin, or RV. Simply connect it to your solar battery bank to start using clean renewable energy every day.

This system comes with two 190W panels, making it capable of producing 380W of power. These panels are heavy-duty and designed to last through years of exposure to the elements. The included 50’ output cable and mounting hardware make it easy to install this system wherever you need it.

The powerful 2000W inverter/charger allows you to easily convert the power from your solar panels into usable AC power for all your typical power needs. It can also be used to charge your solar batteries for extra energy storage. The digital inverter remote controller makes it easy to monitor the amount of power coming in at any given time.

Learn More and Buy Now at Amazon
Renogy 400W Off Grid Solar System

Renogy 400W Off Grid Solar System

Quick Look: 400W solar system kit. Comes with four monocrystalline solar panels, 40A MPPT charge controller, Bluetooth module, and mounting hardware. Check Price at Amazon

Looking for an eco-friendly way to bring electricity to your greenhouse or small workshop? Then check out this solar system kit from Renogy. This kit includes four 100W high-efficiency monocrystalline solar panels. You can use the included wiring to connect your panels directly to your battery bank or a separate power inverter.

This kit comes with a powerful 40A MPPT charge controller. MPPT charge controllers are designed to electronically track and provide the amount of power that is required at any given moment. This means that this controller will keep your battery bank well-charged while still protecting against short-circuiting and overcharging.

Although the digital display on the charge controller is easy to read and navigate, Renogy makes things even simpler with a Bluetooth module for your solar system. This module allows you to access your controller through your smartphone so you can track activity and change the charging parameters without having to physically access the controller.

Learn More and Buy Now at Amazon
ECO-WORTHY 3900W Off Grid Solar System

ECO-WORTHY 3900W Off Grid Solar System

Quick Look: 3900W solar power system. Comes with twenty 195W monocrystalline solar panels, 60A PWM controller, 3500W power inverter, 6-string PV combiner, four 12V/100Ah deep cycle batteries, and all required wiring and mounting hardware. Check Price at Amazon

If you’re ready to set up a serious solar system that is capable of powering your entire cabin or small house, then this is the kit for you. This kit comes with all of the equipment you need to set up your home solar system with ease. From the high-efficiency monocrystalline solar panels to the four 12V deep cycle batteries, this kit has all the necessities.

The included six-string combiner, wiring, and mounting brackets make installation straightforward and simplistic, even for newer solar enthusiasts. This kit also comes with a 3500W power inverter which will convert all the DC power from your solar panels into AC, so you can power all your household electronics.

The included charge controller can handle up to 60A of power and is compatible with multiple battery types including lithium and lead-acid batteries.

Learn More and Buy Now at Amazon

How We Chose The Best Off-Grid Solar Systems

We had a hard time choosing between all the great kits out there, but here are a few criteria we focused on to make our final picks.

Accessories Included

Since these kits are meant for starting new solar systems, we chose to focus on the included accessories when it came to determining which kits were the best. We chose a variety of kits to ensure that there would be something for every type of solar enthusiast. That being said, we chose these kits based on the quality and usefulness of each of the components included in the kit.

Expandable

We also know that circumstances can change, which is why we chose expandable kits. This is a really important feature to look for in any solar system because you never know when you may need an upgrade. No one wants to waste money on a system that they will have to completely replace in a few years. It is much better to build a solar system with high-quality components that can be added to later on when you need more power.

Ease of Use

We’re not going to lie and say that setting up a large solar system is as easy as saying, “Bob’s your uncle.”, but we will say that it doesn’t have to be a huge undertaking. Many of these solar kits are designed with beginners in mind. We would never recommend trying to set up a solar system without doing your research first, but we did want to show you that there are options available for those who want to switch to solar without having to take a college course on the subject.

Each of these kits comes with straightforward setup instructions that should be easy to follow for any experienced DIYer. Just remember, dealing with electricity is tricky and there’s no shame in getting help from the pros. Switching to solar is good for the planet and good for your wallet, so don’t let a lack of experience hold you back. Call someone who has the know-how.

What You Need To Know About Off-Grid Solar Kits

The most important thing to consider when choosing your off the grid solar kit is the amount of power you need, which we will discuss in the next section, but there are a few other important details to consider as well such as charge controllers and inverters.

Charge Controllers

Every solar system needs a quality charge controller. Thankfully, most solar system kits come with a controller that is big enough to handle the output from the included solar panels. This means that if you don’t plan on expanding your solar system, you should be fine. But, if you do plan on expanding your system, you’ll want to choose a kit that is specifically designed to be expandable. Expandable kits will include a controller that can handle additional panels.

There are two types of controllers, MPPT and PWM. Although both work well, if it comes down to choosing between the two, choose MPPT. MPPT controllers charge faster and are more reliable.

Inverters

Power inverters are somewhat less vital than charge controllers, but they are still important. Solar energy is stored as DC power, meaning that it isn’t compatible with all of your regular electric-powered items such as your phone or television. Although you can find appliances and things that are specifically designed to run on DC, most people use a power inverter to convert the power into AC. Like charge controllers, inverters also have a specific capacity, so be sure to choose one that is big enough to meet your current and future needs.

Space and Location

Another important, but not always mentioned detail to consider when choosing a solar system is the amount of space you have for your panels. The amount of space you have will determine the number of panels that you can install. The location is also important because that will affect the type of panels you should choose.

When choosing your solar kit be sure that you have enough room to properly install the panels in a location that receives a lot of sunlight throughout the day, such as a section of rooftop that is south-facing. If you live in an area that has a lot of cloudy weather, you should look for monocrystalline panels because they are slightly more efficient in indirect sunlight.

How to Choose The Best Off Grid Solar System For You

The most important element involved in choosing a solar system is knowing the amount of power you need. Sadly, there isn’t an instant way to calculate this. If you’re trying to power your entire home, a good place to start is to look over your electric bills and determine the average amount of power you use each month. You can then input that information into one of the many online solar calculators to determine exactly how many watts of solar power you will need to go completely off the grid.

If you’re trying to design a somewhat smaller system for your RV, cabin, or greenhouse, the process can be a bit easier, depending on how you go about it. You can do the math yourself by adding up all the power you’ll need based on the number of electronic devices you have. This method is good for very small solar systems, such as what you would use in your greenhouse or chicken coop. If you want to design a solar system for camping, you may not want to use this method because it can become a bit cumbersome. A better choice would be to simply go camping and use a battery monitor to track the amount of electricity you use on an average day.

There are thousands of more detailed articles online about determining your power usage, so we would highly recommend doing some further research on this subject before investing in a large solar system.

Bottom Line

Solar system kits are a great way to start your solar power journey. Whether you’re new to solar power or simply setting up a new solar system in a different location, these kits are a cost-effective and simple way to get the ball rolling.

As you now know, there are a lot of components to consider such as charge controllers and power inverters as well as the different types of solar panels. You can’t go wrong with any of our top picks, but we recommend the Go Power! Solar Elite Off Grid Solar System.

Top 3 Best Off-Grid Solar Systems of 2021