Latest Articles

What You Need to Know Introduction When I discuss new battery options with customers whose old lead-acid batteries are no longer performing, there are always important questions to ask: Are we staying with a 12-volt system? How old is the inverter? What are your solar panel outputs like? These questions help ensure we design a…
Read more

I have my vision, but is it even possible? Introduction Every solar journey starts with a vision. Some people picture powering a remote cabin, others dream of running their business without fuel. Some want to light up a remote location or power a small shop. Others go much deeper, like telecom equipment on a mountaintop…
Read more

Lead-Acid vs. Lithium Introduction We are currently, and have been for years, taking out many old batteries in off-grid systems, mostly flooded lead-acid but also some sealed lead-acid, and replacing them with lithium. That raises an important question: what happens to all these old lead-acid batteries, and what can be done when lithium batteries eventually…
Read more

Protecting Your Off-Grid Solar System in a Wildfire Evacuation Introduction As an off-grid solar installer, I work on many systems tucked away in remote areas, often surrounded by dense trees. Like much of the world, we’re seeing a growing risk of wildfires every year. Right now, there are fires burning nearby, evacuation orders looming, and…
Read more

Are 12V and 24V DC Refrigerators Worth It for Off-Grid Living? SunStar 10CU Solar DC/AC Refrigerator – Black And Stainless Steel Introduction When you’re running an off-grid cabin, RV, or boat, every watt of energy counts. One appliance that can make a huge difference in energy efficiency is the DC refrigerator. Unlike standard household fridges…
Read more

Solar-Powered Cameras vs. Wired Systems Introduction When it comes to protecting your property, the choice between a wireless solar-powered camera and a traditional wired security system has never been more relevant. Advances in solar panels, battery life, and Wi-Fi technology, especially the growing support for 5 GHz networks, have made today’s wireless outdoor cameras smarter,…
Read more

Real stories of cabins lost to wildfire, what survived, and what you can reuse. Introduction Over the past few days, we’ve had some rain. While it may have eased the fires a little, the danger hasn’t gone away, and given the way things are now, that threat will likely linger long after the skies clear.…
Read more

Why It’s Critical for Any Solar System Introduction Whether you’re running an off-grid cabin deep in the woods or a grid-tied solar system at home, one thing is certain: your battery bank is one of the most expensive and important components of your system. And like anything valuable, it needs protection. Too often, we see…
Read more

What To Use in Your Off-Grid Solar System Introduction Over the years, I’ve worked on countless off-grid solar systems, some brand new, others installed a decade or more ago. And every now and then, I come across a system that was clearly installed by a particular individual whose work stands out. His style is unmistakable:…
Read more

Understanding Why Your Charge Controller, Inverter, and Battery Monitor Show Different Numbers, and When It Matters Introduction I get asked this a lot, especially right after a new installation, and sometimes even months later. If you’ve ever looked at your solar charge controller and seen one voltage reading, then glanced at your battery monitor or…
Read more