Row of solar panels against a clear sky

Power Without the Grid

Reliable Power for Places the Grid Doesn't Reach

If your property is more than a few hundred metres from the nearest hydro pole, the cost of bringing grid power in can run $30,000 to $100,000+ depending on distance and terrain. For seasonal cottages and remote cabins, that math rarely makes sense.

A properly designed off-grid solar system gives you the same reliable power — lights, fridge, water pump, internet, even power tools — without the hydro bill and without a generator running all day. The technology is mature enough now that a well-sized system handles a Canadian cottage comfortably, including the shoulder seasons when daylight hours shrink.

We design off-grid systems using the same Victron and Epoch components we trust for marine and RV installations. The difference here is scale: cabin systems are typically larger than RV setups, and they need to work unattended for weeks at a time. That means remote monitoring, cold-weather battery management, and proper generator integration become essential — not optional.

Note: We're currently building out our off-grid product catalog and pre-configured kits. In the meantime, we're designing custom systems for cabin and cottage owners across Canada — starting with your property details and power needs.
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Also have a boat or RV?

We design power systems for those too — same components, same expertise.

See Marine Battery Systems or RV Solar Systems

Your Property. Your Power Needs.

Off-grid power isn't one-size-fits-all. A weekend cottage with a few lights and a fridge has very different requirements than a year-round remote home. Sizing depends on how you use your property:


  • Weekend Cottage

    SEASONAL USE — 2-3 SEASONS

    You visit your cottage on weekends and holidays from May through October. You need enough power for basic lighting, a fridge, water pump, phone charging, and maybe a TV. The system sits idle during the week and needs to be ready when you arrive.

    TYPICAL NEED: 400–600W solar array, 200–400Ah lithium battery bank, small inverter-charger, MPPT controller. Optional generator input for extended cloudy stretches.

    WHAT CHANGES: No more hauling a generator in and out. Arrive to a cold fridge, working lights, and charged devices — powered by the sun all week while you were in the city.

  • Full-Season Cabin

    EXTENDED STAYS — SPRING THROUGH FALL

    You spend weeks at a time at your cabin, sometimes working remotely. You run a full set of appliances — kitchen, lighting, internet, laptop, entertainment. You need a system that handles multi-day cloudy stretches without cutting back.

    TYPICAL NEED: 800W–1.5kW solar array, 400–800Ah lithium bank, Victron MultiPlus inverter-charger, Cerbo GX for remote monitoring, generator backup with auto-start.

    WHAT CHANGES: Your cabin runs like a house. Work from the dock, cook a real dinner, stream a movie at night — without thinking about power. Monitor everything from your phone, even when you're home in the city.

  • Year-Round Remote Home

    FULL-TIME OFF-GRID LIVING

    Your property is your primary or secondary residence. You need power twelve months a year — including January, when you might get four hours of useful daylight and temperatures that stay below -20°C for weeks.

    TYPICAL NEED: 2kW+ solar array, 800Ah–1500Ah+ lithium bank (heated/self-heating batteries), large inverter-charger or Quattro, Cerbo GX with VRM remote monitoring, generator with auto-start for winter backup. Possibly 24V or 48V system for efficiency at higher loads.

    WHAT CHANGES: True grid independence. Your home runs on solar with intelligent generator backup. The system manages itself — charging from whatever source is available, switching automatically, and reporting status to your phone.

Components of an Off-Grid Solar System

An off-grid system is essentially a private power plant for your property. Solar panels generate electricity, batteries store it, and an inverter converts it into the same 120V AC power you use at home. Here's what a complete system includes.

  • Victron BlueSolar Monocrystalline Panels

    Solar Panel Array

    Ground-mount or roof-mount panels sized to your daily power consumption and location. Monocrystalline panels give the best output per square foot. In Northern Ontario, a 1kW array produces roughly 3–4 kWh/day in summer and 1–2 kWh/day in winter — sizing accounts for the worst months, not the best.

  • Gray Epoch lithium-ion battery on a white background

    LiFePO4 Battery Bank

    Your energy reservoir. Lithium iron phosphate batteries store solar energy for use at night and during cloudy days. Sized for 2–3 days of autonomy (running without sun). For unheated spaces, self-heating batteries from Epoch are essential — they warm internally before accepting charge in sub-zero conditions.

  • Blue Victron energy MultiPlus-II GX power station on a white background

    Inverter-Charger

    The brain of your system. A Victron MultiPlus or Quattro converts DC battery power to 120V AC, charges batteries from a generator or grid connection, and manages power transfer automatically. For larger homes, the Quattro accepts two AC inputs — useful for properties with both generator and occasional grid access.

  • Victron Energy solar charge controller on a white background

    MPPT Solar Charge Controller

    Sits between your solar panels and batteries, optimizing energy harvest throughout the day. Victron SmartSolar MPPT controllers adjust continuously as light conditions change — squeezing maximum power from your array even on partly cloudy days.

  • WhisperPower Piccolo 4

    Generator Integration

    Most off-grid systems in Canada benefit from a backup generator, especially for winter and extended cloudy periods. A properly integrated generator starts automatically when battery levels drop below a set threshold, charges the batteries, and shuts off when they're topped up — no manual intervention needed.

  • Victron Cerbo GX

    Remote Monitoring (Cerbo GX + VRM)

    If your property sits empty during the week, remote monitoring isn't a luxury — it's how you know everything is working. A Victron Cerbo GX hub connects to the internet (cellular or WiFi) and reports system status to the VRM portal. Check battery levels, solar production, and generator runtime from your phone. Get alerts if something needs attention before your next visit.

Off-Grid Solar in a Canadian Winter

Most off-grid solar content online is written for Arizona or Australia. Canadian off-grid is a different engineering problem. Here's what actually matters when you're north of the 45th parallel.

  • Lake with trees displaying autumn colors on a cloudy day

    Short Days, Low Sun Angle

    In December, a property in Muskoka gets roughly 8.5 hours of daylight — and the sun stays low on the horizon, reducing panel output further. A system that cruises through July on solar alone will need generator backup in the winter months. This isn't a failure of the system design; it's physics. A well-designed off-grid system plans for winter from day one and uses a generator intelligently — not constantly, just enough to bridge the gap.

  • Lonely tree in a snowy field with a clear sky

    Cold-Weather Battery Performance

    LiFePO4 batteries can discharge safely in cold temperatures, but they cannot be charged below 0°C without risking permanent cell damage. For cabins with unheated battery compartments, self-heating batteries are the right choice — they warm their cells internally before accepting charge. Standard batteries with low-temperature cutoff will simply stop charging when it's cold, which can leave your system at low charge for days during a cold snap.

  • Snow Load & Panel Placement

    Ground-mount arrays with adjustable tilt are the most practical option for off-grid properties — they're easier to install, easier to clear of snow, and can be angled steeper in winter to shed snow and capture more of the low-angle winter sun. Roof mounts work too, but snow clearing becomes part of the maintenance routine. Panel placement should account for tree shading, especially from the south side, and snow drift patterns.

Tell Us About Your Property — We'll Design the Right System

Every off-grid property is different — location, size, usage pattern, access to internet, proximity to road. The best way to get a system that actually works for your situation is a conversation. Tell us about your property, and we'll come back with a recommended system design, component list, and clear pricing.

Off-Grid Solar FAQs

How much does an off-grid solar system cost for a cottage?

It depends on what you need to power and how many days of autonomy you want. A basic weekend cottage system (lights, fridge, water pump, charging) typically runs $3,000–$7,000 in components. A full-season cabin with larger loads and generator backup is usually $8,000–$15,000. Year-round remote homes with high-demand appliances can run $15,000–$30,000+. We provide detailed quotes based on your actual power needs — not generic pricing tiers.

Can I install an off-grid solar system myself?

Small systems (a few panels, one battery, basic loads) are manageable for a competent DIYer. Larger systems with inverter-chargers, generator integration, and 120V wiring should involve a licensed electrician for the AC side — that's a code requirement, not a suggestion. We provide detailed system diagrams and installation documentation with every quote, which makes the electrician's job straightforward even if they haven't worked with Victron components before.

Will solar panels work in a Canadian winter?

Yes, but with reduced output. In Southern Ontario, expect solar production in December to be roughly 25–35% of what you get in June. This is why well-designed off-grid systems include generator backup for winter — the generator fills the gap during short days and extended cloudy stretches. A system designed only for summer will leave you short in winter. We size every system with winter in mind.

Do I need a generator with an off-grid solar system?

For a weekend summer cottage, you might not. For anything more than that in Canada — extended stays, shoulder seasons, year-round use — a generator backup is strongly recommended. The good news is that a properly integrated generator works automatically: it starts when batteries drop below a threshold, charges them up, and shuts off. You're not manually running it all day; it's a backup that kicks in when solar isn't enough.

Can I monitor my off-grid system remotely?

Yes, and for properties that sit unattended, we consider remote monitoring essential. A Victron Cerbo GX unit connects to the internet (via WiFi, Ethernet, or cellular) and reports your entire system's status to the VRM portal. Check battery levels, solar production, generator runtime, and system alerts from your phone — whether you're at the cabin or in the city. You'll know about a problem before your next visit, not when you arrive to a dead fridge.

What brands do you use for off-grid systems?

Victron Energy for inverter-chargers, MPPT controllers, battery monitors, and system management — it's the same ecosystem we use for marine and RV installations. Epoch and ReLion for LiFePO4 batteries, with self-heating models for unheated installations. For solar panels, we spec based on your mounting needs and budget. All components are chosen for compatibility and long-term reliability, not lowest price point.