Off-Grid Homeowners Guide
Want to live off-grid? This is your guide - covering power, heating/cooling, plus water heating strategies designed for the climate and resources in and around the Texas Hill Country.
1. Energy Generation & Storage
Energy Generation
Solar PV System
• Why it works in Central Texas: High annual sun hours (~5–6 hours/day)
• System Size: For a typical home with efficient appliances and HVAC, plan
for 6–12 kW solar array or 20 to 40 solar panels.
• Panels: High-efficiency monocrystalline panels (25-year warranty)
• Mounting:
o Roof mount for homes with clear south-facing or west-facing
slopes. R-panel or trapezoid-type tin roofs are the most cost-
effective for installing solar modules. Barns or workshops with a
flat roof work great too!
o Ground mount for ranches or properties with open land—easier
cleaning and cooling.
o Carport structure or shop roof
Battery Storage
• Capacity: Minimum 20–80 kWh for whole-home daily use; larger for multi-
day autonomy.
• Chemistry: Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) for safety, long cycle life,
and high depth of discharge. All of our equipment is rated IP65 for
outdoor use.
• Brands: EG4, Discover, Soluna
• Inverters: Sol-Ark or EG4. One Sol-Ark 15k provides 50 amps of
available power. We can parallel units together to obtain what is
considered a normal residential 200-amp service or even a larger 400-
amp service. EG4 offers a 6000 watt off-grid only inverter for smaller
weekend cabin designs as well.
• Backup Generator: Diesel or propane for long cloudy periods. We prefer
Kohler or Cummins standby generators with two-wire start control. This
will allow your inverter to start and stop your generator to charge your
batteries when they start to get low, especially on low-light producing
days.
2. Heating & Cooling Off-Grid
Central Texas has hot summers and mild winters, so cooling efficiency is critical.
Cooling
Mini-Split Heat Pumps: High-SEER inverter-based systems use far less
energy than central AC.
o Example: A 2-ton high-efficiency mini-split may use 1.5–2 kW when cooling.
• Passive Cooling Design:
o Shade trees, porches, reflective roof coatings, radiant barriers in attic.
o Cross-ventilation through window placement.
• Insulation – The higher the “R-Value” the better. Spray foam is best.
Heating
• Mini-Split Heat Pumps double as heaters in winter.
• Wood or Pellet Stove: Great backup for extended cloudy periods—low
electric use.
• Thermal Mass: Concrete
3. Water Heating Off-Grid
Heating water is a huge energy drain. Off-grid systems need efficiency first!
On-Demand PROPANE water heater
A MUST FOR OFF-GRID LIVING -- Electric water heating is NOT an option!
4. Energy Efficiency Must-Haves
• LED lighting, Energy Star appliances.
• Ceiling fans for air circulation—use <1/10 the power of AC.
• Insulation: R-30+ in attic, spray foam for sealing air leaks.
• Storm windows and blinds
5. Lifestyle Adjustments
• Time heavy loads (laundry, dishwashing) during sunny hours.
• Monitor usage via energy management system (e.g., MySol-Ark app).
• Maintain backup fuel supply for generator and stove. (Propane)
• Learn about electricity and be willing to make a few adjustments.
• 10 kW Solar Array (south-facing, ground mount)
• 40 to 60 kWh LiFePO4 Battery Bank**
• Hybrid Inverter (e.g., 15k Sol-Ark) with generator input
• 2-Ton Mini-Split System for cooling/heating 18,000 BTU - 220volt
• ****PROPANE on-demand water heater ** **
• Propane Stove + Wood Stove for winter redundancy
• Propane Standby Generator 14kw to 17kw (yes, this is a MUST)
All equipment is IP65 rated for outdoor placement. There is no need to build a special room in your home for the equipment. In fact, National Fire Code prevents placement of more than 40kWh of lithium batteries to be located in any area connected to your home. They're safe outside.
Consider adding smart home controls with circuit-level energy monitoring to complete your off-grid living lifestyle.