Off-Grid Energy
Solar panels, batteries, inverters — brands and indicative budgets
Live 24-hour cutaway (24 h = 48 s) — the same homestead as the Water page, seen through the energy lens: follow every watt from the sun on the roof to the socket.
Once you own a piece of land, the next chain is the one tying you to the utility company. Every winter storm becomes their grip on your kitchen, your lights, your local AI. Energy autonomy means: when the grid drops, your sanctuary keeps breathing.
This catalogue provides equipment examples and starting budgets. Tables distinguish checked data sheets from references still to confirm, with a date when a price was observed. No affiliate links.
— The energy layer of the LAND Fund
Getting started. List appliances and operating hours, then plan for the least sunny season.
How Much to Be Independent?
Tick and adjust to match your life — the results separate the estimated budget and annual expenses.
Starting assumptions: 1.8 kWh/day per kWp, 1.5 battery days and equipment cost interpolated between three May 2026 examples. The annual allowance covers battery replacement. Yield is not a winter guarantee: enter your difficult month under “My location and seasons” to compare required solar, then have storage and backup sized. PVGIS.
How Much Power?
Compare models · How Much Power?
| Use | Daily draw | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 1.0–1.5 kWh | Modern inverter compressor — the old garage fridge eats triple |
| Chest freezer | 0.8–1.2 kWh | A full freezer holds its cold better than an empty one |
| LED lighting | 0.3–0.6 kWh | The whole house — the bulb war is over, the LED won |
| Laptops & electronics | 0.5–0.8 kWh | Two laptops, the router, the phones |
| Big TV | ~0.4 kWh (2 h) | Screen size is a power rating in disguise |
| Gaming tower | ~0.7 kWh (1 h) | And the screen follows the tower — one more TV hour |
| Satellite internet | 1.0–1.5 kWh | The dish is always listening — and heats itself in snow |
| Well pump | 0.5–1.2 kWh | ~1 kWh lifts a whole day of water — the litres are on the Water page |
| Irrigation pump | 0.3–0.6 kWh, summer | Drip lines at dawn — the garden drinks while the sun climbs |
| UV water treatment | 0.2–0.4 kWh | An always-on lamp between the cistern and the tap |
| Washing machine | 0.4–0.7 kWh / load, cold | The dryer is the trap — the clothesline is a 0 kWh dryer |
| Microwave | 0.2–0.4 kWh | Big watts, short minutes — the minutes win |
| Local AI server | 0.7–1.2 kWh | Your memory, offline — a Jetson-class box sips, a GPU tower gulps |
| Electric cooking | 1.0–2.0 kWh | Induction — and propane is the classic off-grid dodge |
| Electric water heater | 2.5–4.0 kWh | Two short showers — the biggest resistive load in the house |
| Fans | 0.3–0.6 kWh | Hot nights for pennies — the A/C's honest little brother |
| Small split A/C | 3–6 kWh, hot month | Daily average — an inverter unit modulates instead of slamming |
| Electric fence | ~0.1 kWh | The cheapest guardian on the Animals page |
| Workshop | 1–2 kWh (~1 h) | Saw, drill, compressor — short bursts, big peaks: mind the inverter surge |
| E-bike charging | 0.4–0.6 kWh | 50 km of range per charge — the cheapest vehicle on the land |
| Heat pump | 8–16 kWh, annual avg | Cold climate — "The December Problem" below, in a single line |
| EV charging | ~8 kWh (40 km/day) | A small house's worth of demand parked in the driveway |
| Phantom standby rule | +0.2–0.5 kWh | Chargers, clocks, standby LEDs — one switchable power bar kills the vampires |
| Example to adapt | 1 kWp ≈ 1.8 kWh/day | Size for the darkest month — the calculator above is built on it |
The calculator's three default ticks — fridge, LED lights, laptops — are the honest 2.2 kWh minimum: a Tiny Cabin. Add the well pump, the washing machine, electric cooking and the local AI server and you land at ≈ 5.9 kWh/day — about 3.6 kWp of panels, ~9 kWh of battery, ~$9,900. Still barely half the Small Off-Grid House card below.
Off-Grid Architecture
A small generator (propane, diesel, or biofuel) is the honest backup for January weeks where the sun barely shows. Hybrid inverters can merge solar, battery, and generator into a single seamless AC output.
Solar Panels
Compare models · Solar Panels
| Brand & Origin | Flagship Model | Power | Efficiency | Warranty | Approx. price (per panel) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇨🇦Canadian Solar Guelph, Ontario · global mfg Reference to confirm | HiKu7 Mono PERC | 600 W | 21.4 % | 25 yr power · 12 yr product | $235 USD |
| 🇨🇦Silfab Solar Mississauga · made in NA Reference to confirm | Silfab Prime 440 | 440 W | 22.5 % | 30 yr power · 25 yr product | $310 USD |
| 🇨🇦Heliene Sault Ste. Marie · made in NA Reference to confirm | Heliene 144HC M10 | 550 W | 21.4 % | 30 yr power · 15 yr product | $230 USD |
| 🇳🇴REC Group Norway · owned by Reliance Reference to confirm | REC Alpha Pure-R | 430 W | 22.3 % | 25 yr power · 25 yr product | $320 USD (~€298) |
| 🇰🇷Q CELLS Hanwha Group · S. Korea Reference to confirm | Q.PEAK DUO ML-G11+ | 410 W | 21.0 % | 25 yr power · 25 yr product | $220 USD (~₩301,000) |
| 🇯🇵Panasonic Japan · partnered EVERVOLT Reference to confirm | EverVolt 410W | 410 W | 22.2 % | 25 yr power · 25 yr product | $305 USD (~¥46,400) |
| 🇺🇸Maxeon / SunPower HQ Singapore, US sales Reference to confirm | Maxeon 6 AC | 440 W | 22.8 % | 40 yr power · 40 yr product | $430 USD |
| 🇨🇳JinkoSolar World's largest by shipments Reference to confirm | Tiger Neo N-type 78HL4 | 620 W | 22.5 % | 30 yr power · 12 yr product | $205 USD (~¥1,486) |
| 🇨🇳Trina Solar Changzhou Reference to confirm | Vertex S+ NEG9R.28 | 450 W | 22.5 % | 25 yr power · 15 yr product | $215 USD (~¥1,559) |
| 🇨🇳LONGi Solar Xi'an · largest poly mfg Reference to confirm | Hi-MO 6 Explorer | 555 W | 22.8 % | 25 yr power · 15 yr product | $210 USD (~¥1,523) |
| 🇨🇳JA Solar Beijing · Tier-1 Reference to confirm | DeepBlue 4.0X | 580 W | 22.5 % | 30 yr power · 15 yr product | $205 USD (~¥1,486) |
| 🇺🇸First Solar Tempe, Arizona · CdTe Reference to confirm | Series 7 (thin-film) | 540 W | 19.7 % | 30 yr power · 12 yr product | $250 USD · utility-scale |
Reading the table: efficiency is panel-level (how much sunlight is converted). 21–22 % is excellent for residential. Power (W) is "STC" — laboratory peak. Real-world output is 70–85 % of that. Higher wattage panels = fewer panels for the same kW system, lower per-watt installation cost, but heavier and harder to handle alone. Prices vary widely; buy in pallets when possible.
Batteries
Compare models · Batteries
| Brand & Origin | Model | Capacity | Chemistry | Cycles | Approx. price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸Tesla Lathrop, California Reference to confirm | Powerwall 3 | 13.5 kWh | LFP | 10 yr warranty | $11,500 USD |
| 🇺🇸Enphase Fremont, California Reference to confirm | IQ Battery 10C | 10.0 kWh | LFP | 6,000 cycles | $8,700 USD |
| 🇺🇸Fortress Power Pennsylvania Reference to confirm | eVault Max 18.5 | 18.5 kWh | LFP | 8,000 cycles · 10 yr | $9,200 USD |
| 🇨🇳BYD Shenzhen · world's #1 EV maker Reference to confirm | Battery-Box Premium HVS | 5.1–12.8 kWh modular | LFP | 10 yr warranty | $6,200 USD (~¥44,950) for 10.2 kWh |
| 🇨🇳EcoFlow Shenzhen · portable focus Reference to confirm | Delta Pro Ultra (3 batt + inv) | 18 kWh expandable | LFP | 4,000 cycles · 5 yr | $16,500 USD (~¥119,600) full kit |
| 🇨🇳Bluetti Shenzhen Reference to confirm | EP900 + B500 | 9.92 kWh (expandable 19.84) | LFP | 3,500 cycles · 10 yr | $8,900 USD (~¥64,500) |
| 🇨🇳Anker SOLIX Changsha Reference to confirm | X1 Home Storage | 5 kWh / unit (stackable to 180 kWh) | LFP | 6,000 cycles · 10 yr | $4,800 USD (~¥34,800) per unit |
| 🇩🇪sonnen Wildpoldsried · owned by Shell Reference to confirm | sonnenCore+ | 10–20 kWh | LFP | 10,000 cycles · 15 yr | $13,000 USD (~€12,090) 10 kWh |
| 🇰🇷LG Energy Solution Seoul Reference to confirm | RESU FLEX | 8.6 / 12.9 / 17.2 kWh | NMC | 10 yr warranty | $8,200 USD (~₩11,230,000) 8.6 kWh |
| 🇺🇸Generac Wisconsin · generator giant Reference to confirm | PWRcell M5/M6 | 9–18 kWh | NMC | 10 yr · 7.6 MWh throughput | $9,700 USD 9 kWh |
| 🇨🇳Pylontech Shanghai · DIY favourite Reference to confirm | US5000C | 4.8 kWh / 19-inch rack-mount | LFP | 6,000 cycles · 10 yr | $1,800 USD (~¥13,050) per unit |
| 🇳🇱Victron Energy Almere · pro / off-grid standard Data sheet / manual · 2026-09-12 · indicative price not rechecked | Lithium Battery Smart | 200 Ah @ 25.6 V = 5.12 kWh | LFP | 2,500 cycles · 3 yr, manufacturer terms | $4,100 USD (~€3,813) per unit |
Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) is common in stationary storage. Life expectancy and permitted discharge depth depend on model and use. Fire and short-circuit risks remain: follow the manual for BMS, protection and temperature limits. Victron.
Inverters & Charge Controllers
Compare models · Inverters & Charge Controllers
| Brand & Origin | Model | Power | Type | Approx. price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇳🇱Victron Energy Almere Reference to confirm | MultiPlus-II 48/5000 | 5 kVA | Hybrid inverter/charger · off-grid king | $2,450 USD (~€2,279) |
| 🇩🇪SMA Niestetal Reference to confirm | Sunny Island 8.0H | 6 kW continuous | Off-grid / hybrid · German-engineered | $4,100 USD (~€3,813) |
| 🇫🇷Schneider Electric Rueil-Malmaison Reference to confirm | Conext XW Pro 6848 | 6.8 kW | Hybrid · stackable 3-phase | $3,850 USD (~€3,581) |
| 🇺🇸Outback Power Arlington, WA · EnerSys Reference to confirm | Radian GS8048A | 8 kW | Off-grid · split-phase 120/240 V | $5,050 USD |
| 🇺🇸EG4 Electronics Sulphur Springs, TX Data sheet / manual · 2026-09-12 · indicative price not rechecked | 18kPV-12LV | 18 kW PV · 12 kW AC continuous | All-in-one hybrid · best value | $4,100 USD |
| 🇨🇳Growatt Shenzhen Reference to confirm | SPF 6000ES Plus | 6 kW | Off-grid · budget tier | $1,050 USD (~¥7,613) |
| 🇺🇸Enphase Fremont, CA Data sheet / manual · 2026-09-12 · indicative price not rechecked | IQ8M Microinverter | 325 VA continuous · 330 VA peak (US) | Microinverter · panel-level MPPT | $180 USD each |
| 🇮🇱SolarEdge Herzliya Reference to confirm | Energy Hub SE10000H + optimisers | 10 kW | String + optimisers · grid-tie hybrid | $3,500 USD (~₪12,950) inverter only |
The December Problem
Illustrative seasonality example, not a measured location: 145 kWh/kWp in July and 40 in December. The latter is about 1.3 kWh/day per kWp. Calculator assumptions are separate: use your local difficult-month yield for your project.
📐 Oversize the array
Size your array for November, not July. Summer surplus costs nothing; a winter deficit is paid for in generator hours.
🔌 The generator
Backup running hours depend on loads, storage and local weather sequences. Check deficits over multiple weather years before choosing a generator.
🔥 Wood for heat
Heating can dominate the winter balance. Compare insulation, heat pumps and other sources using actual demand before sizing electricity.
Three Sanctuary Sizes
- Panels2× 440 W (~880 W)
- Battery1× 5 kWh LFP
- InverterVictron 12/1600 or Growatt 3 kW
- Charge ctrlBuilt-in (hybrid)
- Use caseLED lights, fridge, laptop, fan
- Panels16× 450 W (~7.2 kW)
- Battery15–20 kWh LFP (3–4× Pylontech US5000)
- InverterEG4 18kPV or Victron MultiPlus-II 5 kVA
- Backup5 kW propane generator
- Use caseFridge, freezer, well pump, lights, electronics, woodstove heat
- Panels36× 550 W (~19.8 kW)
- Battery40–60 kWh LFP (3–4× Powerwall 3 or eVault stack)
- Inverter2× Victron MultiPlus-II 10 kVA parallel
- Backup15 kW propane or biodiesel genset
- Use caseHeat pump, EV charging, well + treatment, full home, workshop
Prices reflect equipment only, May 2026. US-dollar figures are shown first; for non-US manufacturers, the approximate price in the brand's home currency is shown in parentheses. Add ≈ 30–60 % for installation, racking, wiring, permits, and an electrician for inspection. Always price-check at the moment of purchase — solar prices fell roughly 20 % between 2024 and 2026 and continue to drift down.
Powering Your Local Memory
Compare models · Powering Your Local Memory
| Machine | Draw | kWh/day (24/7) | What it asks of the system |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jetson Orin NX 16 GB selected for the project's hardware lab | 10–40 W (module only) | Measure the complete system | Add carrier board, storage, cooling and power-supply losses. NVIDIA · Jetson Orin |
| Mini-PC NUC-class, headless | 15–45 W | 0.4–1.1 | ~1 × 450 W panel on an annual average |
| GPU tower heavier local inference | 150–450 W | 3.6–10.8 | 2–5 panels + ~10 kWh of battery to get through the night |
Include a 0.9 kWh/day AI load in the energy balance. Panel count depends on local yield in the difficult month; batteries and backup cover periods without sun. Measure the complete machine, not just its processor. PVGIS.
Energy autonomy and local memory are the same project: nothing that is yours should depend on a server you don't control. Discover the local memory →
Wind & Micro-Hydro
Small wind
On paper, a wind turbine completes solar — wind blows at night and in winter. In practice, small residential wind almost always disappoints: below a 10 m mast the wind is turbulent and weak, real output rarely matches the brochure, and the moving parts freeze, wear out and demand maintenance. Real exceptions: coastline, wide open plain, a tall mast. On a wooded lot, put that money into more panels and battery instead.
Micro-hydro
If the land has a stream with year-round flow and drop, micro-hydro is the best off-grid source there is: it produces 24 hours a day, at night and in December alike. Even a steady 500 W = 12 kWh per day — as much as the entire small-house profile above. A Pelton or turgo turbine and its penstock often cost less than a big battery bank.
A year-round stream is not a romantic detail — it's a purchase criterion. See the LAND Buy page →
💡 Know a solar panel, battery, or inverter brand we should add? Share it on the Ideas page or mention @LOAM_token on X.
Notes and sources
Notes reviewed September 12, 2026. Links open the reference documents.
- Compare months in PVGIS, then check storage and backup: an annual average does not size an off-grid winter. European Commission · PVGIS.
- Batteries: follow model-specific BMS, protection, temperature and discharge limits. Check alerts in use and have the installation checked before the difficult season. No single maintenance interval covers every battery. Victron · safety.
- Calculator UV: a D4 example at 50 W continuous equals 1.2 kWh/day. Rated flow depends on UV dose and water quality. VIQUA · data sheet.
The grid was a 20th-century miracle. The 21st-century miracle is that you don't need it. With panels, batteries, and a quiet inverter humming in a closet, a small piece of land can run its own life forever — as long as the sun keeps rising.
Energy is the breath of the sanctuary.
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The Memory