How To Build a Solar Powered Off Grid Cabin in 6 Easy Steps
Living off the grid in a solar powered cabin can be an inexpensive way to own your own home, embrace minimalism, and escape the rat race. A DIY off grid cabin allows you to build your home to your exact preferences and specifications, and live mortgage-free while you pursue your passions.
In this guide, we’ll cover the basic steps involved in the process of bringing your off grid cabin ideas to life.
Let’s get started!
2. Build your structure
3. Calculate your solar needs and purchase components
4. Install solar panels and battery bank
5. Hook up your system
6. Enjoy off grid living
Most solar panels have a lifespan of 20-30 years, and lithium batteries can last as long as 10 years. Once you have your system purchased and installed, all that’s left to do is sit back and enjoy your off grid cabin mortgage-free and relatively maintenance-free for the next decade!
It’s time to get building!
What is an off grid cabin?
First, let’s narrow down what we mean by off grid cabin. For our purposes, an off grid cabin is a small dwelling that does not connect to city or municipal water, sewer, gas, or power lines. All power is generated on-site, usually with solar power but potentially with other power sources as well. Most off grid cabins are pretty small – usually between 200 and 500 square feet, although there isn’t necessarily a size limit. However, smaller homes are easier (and more economical) to heat, light and power with off grid sources than larger ones.How does a solar powered cabin work?
Most off grid solar cabins have solar panels installed on the roof and/or a ground-mounted array of solar panels. The power from the solar panels then flows into a battery bank, where it’s stored for later use. Then, if necessary, the power passes through an inverter (to change the current from DC to AC), or it flows straight to appliances if they run on 12V electricity. Of course, solar panels only generate power when the sun is shining. So the power must be stored in batteries for night-time use and/or to save up energy for days when it’s rainy or snowy. Although modern solar panels can still harness the sun’s rays even on overcast days, the power output will be much less. There are special energy-efficient appliances often used in off-the-grid cabins and some appliances that run on 12V energy, as mentioned above, which means that you don’t lose as much energy by having to power an inverter all the time.6 Steps to building an off grid cabin
1. Choose your location carefully2. Build your structure
3. Calculate your solar needs and purchase components
4. Install solar panels and battery bank
5. Hook up your system
6. Enjoy off grid living
Most solar panels have a lifespan of 20-30 years, and lithium batteries can last as long as 10 years. Once you have your system purchased and installed, all that’s left to do is sit back and enjoy your off grid cabin mortgage-free and relatively maintenance-free for the next decade!
It’s time to get building!