Despite having been wired many years ago, the lights and outlets in this cabin hadn't been used in a long time. A simple cable with a plug was available in the shed behind the cabin for a generator to supply power to the cabin. No longer wanting to rely on a generator, small portable power station, or flashlights for electricity and light, we were tasked with installing a simple and reliable solar system for frequent summer visits and occasional winter visits.

We installed three 48V lithium iron phosphate batteries with enough storage capacity to power basic appliances and lights for a few days if the sun doesn't shine. It's also enough to power an electric blanket or two for a couple nights in the winter. Two 590W bifacial solar panels were installed on seasonally-adjustable racking to maximize solar production year round. A generator inlet was also installed to be able to power the cabin and charge the batteries as needed.

A 3,000W inverter/charger was installed, and the existing power cable feeding the cabin was connected to the output of the inverter. This allows the lights and outlets to be on with just the press of a button, with enough power to use a microwave, fridge, and other small appliances as needed. The touchscreen display allows for real-time system monitoring and control.

These upgrades simplify staying at the cabin and makes it feel more like home. This system will provide maintenance-free, clean, and reliable power for many years to come.