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Check out our picks for the best off-grid solar systems that you can buy today and compare features, pricing and more. Solar Battery System
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Aniket Bhor is a solar engineer who has spent nearly a decade studying and working in the solar power sector in the European, Asian and North American markets. He is a climate enthusiast and avid cyclist, and he also loves to lose himself in books and cooking.
Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.
Despite the rise of grid-tied solar systems, some customers may prefer off-grid solar panels. The best off-grid solar systems offer an easy way to power remote cabins, camper vans, and other vehicles or properties outside the grid, according to our research.
We at the MarketWatch Guides team have conducted hours of market research and reviewed dozens of products to create a reliable list of the best off-grid solar systems. We based each pick on our in-depth solar methodology, which focuses on key factors such as system components, price and warranties to help you find the best fit for your off-grid solar project.
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*This kit does not include a solar battery, which results in a lower price than some other options on our list.
Renogy has been designing and selling off-grid solar products for more than a decade. Our team found its 400 W 12 V kit to be a good option for customers who want a well-priced solar kit from a reputable brand.
The kit includes high-performance solar panels that carry a 25-year performance guarantee, an inverter, Renogy’s Rover charge controller, and absorbed glass mat (AGM) or lithium batteries. Customers also receive all supporting accessories, such as lugs, fasteners and cables with the purchase
Renogy ensures a daily output of two kilowatt-hours (kWh) from its 400-watt (W) panels, which can power a range of appliances on a recreational vehicle (RV) or boat. According to Renogy, its kit can generate enough energy to power items such as coffee makers, toasters, portable heaters or electric kettles.
The 400 W 12 V kit includes:
While the kit is not a plug-and-play system, you can install it in a few hours, based on our research. The most complex task may involve installing the solar panels on the non-portable system.
Installing a regular off-grid kit on an RV can be tricky because it requires specific components not typically offered in traditional off-grid systems. AcoPower’s RV kit is a sound choice for RV owners who want solar power but do not have sufficient technical expertise to create a specific solar kit, according to our research.
The system comes with high-efficiency monocrystalline solar panels and a three-stage MPPT charge controller for performance, which compares the output of the solar panels to a system’s battery voltage. You can also monitor performance with the company’s smartphone app.
AcoPower’s Mono Solar RV Kit comes with four 100 W panels, which can generate more than 15 kWh of electricity in ideal sunlight conditions. This power is sufficient to run everything in an RV, based on our research. The system’s only drawback is that it does not include a battery or inverter — users must buy those components separately.
The RV kit comes with the following components:
Connecting the components of AcoWorthy’s kit is simple, based on our research. However, some buyers may find it complex to install solar panels on the roof of their RVs due to wiring and racking components.
Goal Zero is among the largest companies manufacturing off-grid solar equipment, based on our research. Its Yeti series offers tough and efficient portable power stations, while the Boulder series has innovative solar panel sets that customers can quickly mount and connect.
The Yeti 1000X and Boulder 200 Briefcase combo brings together two highly rated Goal Zero products to create a portable and easy-to-use off-grid solar kit. The solar panel briefcase offers high-efficiency output, while the battery unit has a variety of ports for quick and easy connections.
The Boulder 200 solar panels have a 200 W output. With decent sunlight, users can generate around 1 kWh of electricity in a day. The Yeti 1000X battery can store this energy, and owners can use it to power everything from smartphones to fridges. According to Goal Zero, the kit can power a laptop for 20 hours or a mini fridge for 28 hours.
Thanks to its simplified design, the solar kit includes just five components:
Customers can likely connect the Yeti 1000X to the Boulder 200 off-grid system quickly and easily, thanks to its ready-made ports.
WindyNation’s 100 W kit is a small, basic kit for users who don’t need to run heavy appliances such as fridges and air conditioners. The system can power some lights, smartphones and a laptop for a few hours.
Buyers on a budget can skip the inverter and battery, making for a trimmed-down solar-powered system that costs just over $160.
WindyNation’s off-grid system offers 100 W of solar power, which can generate up to half a kilowatt-hour of electricity on a sunny day. This energy is sufficient to power a laptop for a few hours or a few lights and smartphones for a couple of days. Those looking for more power can buy a larger off-grid kit from the same WindyNation series.
The WindyNation Complete 100 W system includes:
The cables in WindyNation’s kit come with multi-contact (MC4) connectors that are easy to plug in. Overall, the system is easy and quick to set up, based on our research.
If you are a homeowner wanting to power a house with a solar array, the Eco-Worthy 4800 W 48 V Kit is a product to consider. Instead of cabins or RVs, this system is designed specifically for small to mid-sized houses.
It uses bifacial solar panels, which generate power from both sides of the home, offering greater power generation than traditional solar panels. Priced at less than $10,000, the system costs about one-third of a traditional solar and battery system installed by solar companies.
Eco-Worthy’s whole-home kit generates 4,800 W of energy. The company promises an energy output of more than 19 kWh of electricity per day, depending on location and available sunlight. It is more than sufficient to power a wide range of domestic appliances such as televisions, fridges, air conditioning units, ovens and computers.
The Eco-Worthy 4800 W system comes with the following components:
Unlike most other off-grid systems on our list, the Eco-Worthy solar kit involves a significant amount of wiring and installation work. It also requires the installer to have a working knowledge of electrical systems, which means this do-it-yourself (DIY) kit may not suit everyone. Some homeowners will need to hire an electrician to ensure the system is installed correctly.
You can utilize solar power through off-grid or grid-tied (or on-grid) systems. Although both systems technically work the same way, the difference lies in whether you connect your panels to the local electricity grid. While off-grid systems still use solar panels to produce energy, they rely on batteries to store excess production rather than sending it back to the grid, as with a conventional (or grid-tied) home solar system. You can use that stored energy to power your devices in remote locations.
Grid-tied systems are more common today since the majority of the population lives in the coverage area of an electric grid. However, off-grid solar is often the only option if you plan to power a cabin in the woods, a recreational vehicle (RV) or even boats.
Off-grid solar is swiftly becoming popular, especially among outdoor and do-it-yourself (DIY) enthusiasts. However, going off-grid comes with pros and cons.
There are a few factors to consider when shopping for an off-grid power system.
While specific components will vary by company, most off-grid solar system kits include the following:
Off-grid solar systems offer an excellent power source when you don’t have access to the grid, making them popular among campers and people looking to power tiny homes or cabins. They are also a great way to power appliances in an outhouse or food truck, helping to lessen your reliance on a traditional utility company.
There are dozens of off-grid kits available on the market, each offering a different set of component specifications and features. No single kit is the overall best — you will need to consider specific parameters depending on your needs.
For instance, the Goal Zero bundle is a superb option if you plan to connect, disconnect and move your system. Similarly, the Windynation 100 W is perfect for someone looking for a very basic kit costing a few hundred bucks. Alternatively, the Eco-Worthy 4800 W kit is a good choice for larger applications that require maximum power or home battery backup.
Ultimately, the most important thing is to understand your own requirements, then narrow down a few options and choose based on system features, warranties and cost. If you are looking for a more permanent solar option, check out our guide to the top solar companies for residential use.
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A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work with solar power systems. The system size you need will depend on your energy consumption. You can use an online calculator to figure this out or do some basic calculations. Based on your calculation, you can select the appropriate system size and features. Here’s an example of energy calculations:
Based on the above figures, your total energy usage would be around 1.94 kWh, which converts to 129 W. So for this example, the Goal Zero Yeti 1000X + Boulder 200 or altE Off-Grid 300 W Base Kit systems would supply enough energy to meet consumption needs.
Energy sources have different efficiencies, ranging from 10% to 90%. Solar power converts light to electricity at an efficiency of around 20%. Since a solar panel’s input (sunlight) is readily available in most places and easy to convert, off-grid solar is better than most other options, like wind energy.
On-grid and off-grid systems serve different purposes, so we cannot label one as the best. Off-grid systems are useful in situations that do not require a power grid, such as camping. But since on-grid solar panels connect to the local power grid, they are generally better suited for homeowners looking to lower electricity bills.
If you are looking to power a camper, cabin or tiny home, an off-grid solar system is worth it unless you have another readily available and cheap source of electricity. Off-grid systems are relatively simple in terms of installation and use, offer a long service life and can help reduce your carbon footprint and lower electricity costs.
You can purchase an off-grid solar power kit online by visiting the retailer’s website. You can also look on websites like Amazon or other online marketplaces. While most DIY solar kits are ideal for beginners, more advanced systems may require professional installation.
We closely evaluate solar installation companies with a focus on the factors most important to homeowners like you. We based our solar company methodology on input from multiple homeowner surveys, discussions with industry experts and research into the renewable energy market. Our review process involves assessing each company on the following criteria, which we then use to calculate a rating out of 5 stars. Cost and payment options (20 points): Cost is one of the most important factors when installing a solar energy system. Solar providers that offer cash purchases and in-house loan financing earn full points in this category. Companies also receive bonus points for offering solar panel leasing or power purchase agreements (PPAs). Services (20 points): In addition to solar installations, companies offering backup battery and electric vehicle charger installations, energy efficiency audits and system monitoring earn the most points in this category. Companies can also receive points for completing installations in-house, as opposed to using third-party contractors. Reputation (20 points): To assess the reputation of each company, we consider Google star ratings, Better Business Bureau (BBB) scores and reviews, and NABCEP certification status . We also look at customer complaint rates on sites like the BBB and weigh how the company responds. Warranty (15 points): We verify that each company offers workmanship, product and performance warranties on all of its solar installs. A provider earns more points for extending warranties that meet or exceed industry standards, including 10 years for system workmanship and products and 25 years for panel performance. Customer Support (10 points): Solar companies that offer virtual consultations, a mobile app, 24/7 customer support and high customer satisfaction with backend support earn the most points in this category. Industry Experience (10 points): Providers with 10 or more years of experience in the solar installation industry earn a perfect score in this category. Sustainability (5 points):To measure sustainability, we assess each company based on whether it shares a detailed sustainability statement or ESG disclosures on its website. We also conduct research to see if companies offer end-of-life panel disposal programs or have eco-friendly community partnerships.
If you have questions about this page, please reach out to our editors at editors@marketwatchguides.com.
Aniket Bhor is a solar engineer who has spent nearly a decade studying and working in the solar power sector in the European, Asian and North American markets. He is a climate enthusiast and avid cyclist, and he also loves to lose himself in books and cooking.
Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.
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