The four parts
| Part | Job | At house size | In a van or small rig |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panels | Make the power | Rigid 400 W class panels, bought by the pallet | 200 W rigid panels on the roof (flexible only for a curved roof, and rarely worth it) |
| Charge controller | Move panel power safely into batteries | Built into the inverter | A separate MPPT controller |
| Batteries | Store it for night and grey days | 48V server-rack batteries | 12V lithium batteries |
| Inverter | Turn battery power into normal outlets | An all-in-one off-grid inverter | An inverter-charger |
The parts that hold it together
- Wire sized for the current, plus MC4 connectors for the panels.
- Fuses and breakers between batteries and inverter. This is the safety-critical part.
- A PV disconnect, so you can shut the panels off to work on the system.
- Mounting: a ground mount or roof racking for panels, and a rack or shelf for batteries.
- Battery cables and a busbar if you have more than one battery.
Nice to have
- A battery monitor that shows how full you are. Many inverters include one.
- A soft starter if you run a well pump or air conditioner.
- A small generator for the darkest weeks of winter.
Get the exact list
Every guide ends with a parts checklist sized for your situation. Start with yours and it'll tell you exactly how many of each part to get.
Questions people ask
What is the minimum I need for off-grid solar?
Panels, a charge controller, batteries and an inverter, plus wire and fuses to connect them safely. For small needs, a portable power station combines the battery, controller and inverter in one box.
Do I need a charge controller if I have an inverter?
At house size, most off-grid inverters include the charge controller, so you buy one box. In vans and small rigs they're usually separate.
Do I need a generator too?
Not always, but in cloudy, northern winters a small generator is much cheaper than doubling your batteries for the darkest few weeks.
Get the exact setup
A few taps and you'll know exactly what to buy for your situation.