this post was submitted on 31 May 2025
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I'm starting small. Want to get off-grid the efficient way (lemmy.today)
submitted 4 months ago by WorldsDumbestMan@lemmy.today to c/solarpunk@slrpnk.net
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I want only portable devices like solar, and hand-crank chargers. I want to be able to boil water, charge my Laptop and phone, run my induction stove for a few minutes thrice a day, want it rugerdized at some point, and want to depend on my equipment for day to day life as preparation for having no support.

How am I doing so far? Did I waste money?

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[–] stabby_cicada@slrpnk.net 11 points 4 months ago (1 children)

poVoq linked an article from Low Tech Magazine, which is a great resource for low energy sustainable living. I wanted to highlight this older article from them, too:

https://solar.lowtechmagazine.com/2016/05/how-to-get-your-apartment-off-the-grid/

It's not clear to me, from your post, if you're thinking about making a home/apartment "off grid", and limiting your powered appliances to what solar power can cover to prepare for future disruptions to the power grid, or about living outside a fixed dwelling and using portable solar to power a few accessories like a portable induction stove. This matters because solar panels are bulky and batteries are heavy - charging a laptop and phone is trivial with a man-portable setup, but a solar generator capable of boiling water and cooking is not going to fit in a reasonably sized backpack πŸ˜†

If you're thinking about "bugging out" or "going off the grid" in the survivalist sense, living with only the equipment you take with you, you might get better answers on equipment from camping and survivalist forums.

[–] WorldsDumbestMan@lemmy.today 4 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Yes, I am planning to actively make use of a bugout kit every day at home. The idea is to be comfortable living with what would otherwise be an emergency situation, falling back on the grid only when necessary. I then want to make more of the exact same kits for my family, and then convince other people to do it too.

[–] stabby_cicada@slrpnk.net 2 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Yeah, that's definitely a camping/survivalist/prepping question and outside my expertise. I suspect it'll take you a long time to learn to be "comfortable" living that way, though πŸ˜†

[–] WorldsDumbestMan@lemmy.today 1 points 4 months ago

Oh what the hell, I already lived like ass. What's a bit more in return for true freedom?

[–] Retro_unlimited@lemmy.world 9 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (2 children)

I have been using a BLUETTI battery with solar panels for over 6 months now.

We can power an electrical skillet (over 1000w) and an air popcorn maker (1500w) or a microwave (1500w). The battery we have is 3000w and the inverter is also 3000w. As for boiling water we have 2 kettles, one small on that uses 300w and a large one that uses much more.

We started with only 400w of portable solar when we lived in the car, but now in the RV we went to 1000w then 2000w of solar. By 10am the battery went from 40% to 100%. This is with the panels laying on the dirt, we do not have a stand yet.

We bought the panels at an electric store as new/old stock, so the 255w panels were only $90, although we have seen them elsewhere for cheaper (around $50).

We have been happy and can power anything we need. We borrowed a carpet shampooing machine and it used 1600w and we have a big shop vac too.

[–] eleitl@lemm.ee 2 points 4 months ago (1 children)

400+ Wp PV modules are 70 EUR new.

[–] Retro_unlimited@lemmy.world 2 points 4 months ago

Wow that’s really affordable! That’s only $80 USD.

[–] WorldsDumbestMan@lemmy.today 2 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Thank you for the insight. Always nice to see real-world experiences with solar.

Oh I know about that one. Way out of my budget for now, and less portable than I'd like, but it is an option. I'm basically going for frugality/low power. That does sound cheap...except for the bluetti generator. And it is fairly reasonable.

[–] Retro_unlimited@lemmy.world 3 points 4 months ago

I got the battery from their official eBay as a refurbished unit so it was a huge discount.

Another option is buying one or more lithium battery such as 12v 100ah and using a charge controller and inverter. Then you can scale or grow the system to your needs, it’s a bit more complicated to setup but way more versatile.

[–] heyWhatsay@slrpnk.net 3 points 4 months ago

I have been using off-grid gear primarily for the last 6 years, both things that I can backpack with (I like goal zero crush light btw) and the larger/heavier stuff in my car.

Overall, the practical use of energy makes most cooking separate from my solar system. The acception is a 12v water boiler, but that is mostly while on the road. A wood stove is what I use most of the time, either a full size in a cabin, or a portable titanium one, with twigs and pinecones. It's surprising how little is needed to boil a few cups of water.

If it's a sunny day, just setting a black pot out in the sun will help get most of the heat (and mirrors if you want to get fancy), then less energy will be needed to bring it to boil.

It's not impossible to cook off my system, but it would be a huge drain, and I rather run a computer all day or an electric blanket all night.