Power Systems for Off-Grid Vacation Cabins

摘要

Off-grid solar-electric systems with battery storage are becoming more affordable every year as equipment prices drop. But cabins that are occupied only seasonally or on weekends present unique challenges for system design, operations, and maintenance compared to full-time off-grid residences, where the owners are home regularly to keep an eye on things. The first thing to consider when designing a power system for a vacation property is the expected pattern of use. For how many weeks or months at a time will the dwelling be unoccupied, and does that use pattern change depending on the season? For example, in snowy climates the cabin might be occupied every weekend during summer with an occasional stay of a week or two, weekend stays during spring and fall, and only a rare weekend during winter for some cross-country skiing or snowmobiling. In warmer climes, the use patterns may not vary so much seasonally.