Adding solar power to our small off-grid cabin has been one of the best upgrades we’ve made. We installed a 200-watt solar panel system connected to an inverter with two standard plug-ins, and now we have enough power for many of our everyday essentials.
Solar panel kits have come down a lot in price over the years, and there are now many affordable systems available for cabins, RVs, and off-grid setups.
One example is the ECO-WORTHY 200 Watt Solar Panel Kit which works well for small cabins, RVs, trailers, or boats. Smaller starter kits like this are perfect if you simply want to charge devices, run lights, or power a few small appliances.
If you need more power later on, larger systems are also available. The ECO-WORTHY 800 Watt Solar Panel Kit is a much larger setup that works well for cabins or seasonal off-grid homes.
With our 200-watt setup and inverter, we can comfortably run:
- Laptop computers
- Phone chargers
- Small TVs
- LED lighting
- Coffee makers
We’ve also been told it can handle small appliances like a toaster or blender for short periods, although we haven’t personally tested those yet.
Setting up the solar system
Here are a few photos of Scott setting up the system around the cabin.
The first step was mounting the solar panel on our outdoor cooking area. Once mounted, the wiring was run down the support post and fed into protective piping.
The trench was dug using a pix axe and dug down about a foot.
To safely route the wires underground, a trench was dug about a foot deep using a pick axe. It’s important not to bury solar wires directly in the soil because moisture and shifting ground can eventually damage them.
Instead, Scott installed protective pipe in the trench and pulled the wiring through it.
This helps protect the wires from moisture, rodents, and accidental damage.
The wires then run from the solar panel to the:
- Charge controller
- Battery
- Inverter
The charge controller regulates the power coming from the solar panel and prevents the battery from overcharging
Using a Cooler as a Battery Box
Because our cabin is small and we didn’t really want a battery sitting inside, we used an old cooler as an insulated battery box.
The marine battery fit perfectly inside the cooler along with the charge controller.
We’re currently using a deep-cycle marine battery for the system. Battery quality really does matter when living off-grid. Cheaper batteries may save money upfront, but they often don’t last nearly as long.
The battery in our travel trailer cost considerably more, but it lasted around six years, so sometimes spending more initially is worth it in the long run.
The AGM Deep Cycle Battery is similar to the style of battery we’ve used for our cabin solar setup.
To help protect the battery during our cold winters, we filled the cooler with Styrofoam insulation. So far, this setup has worked surprisingly well.
Once everything was connected, a hole was drilled through the cabin wall so the inverter wiring could be brought inside.
Why Battery Protection Matters
Cold weather can be very hard on batteries, especially during long off-grid winters.
Because space inside our cabin is limited, insulating the battery in the cooler helped us keep it protected without taking up valuable room indoors.
If you live in a milder climate or have a larger cabin, you may prefer using a standard battery box or indoor battery storage area instead.
The Attwood Heavy Duty Marine Battery Box is a good option if your battery will be stored outdoors.
If winter cabin living interests you, you might also like my article on Wood Stove Accessories Every Off-Grid Cabin Needs since staying warm and managing power often go hand in hand off-grid.
What Can You Run on a 200-Watt Inverter?
A small inverter setup like ours is surprisingly useful for cabin living.
Some common items you may be able to run include:
- Cell phone chargers
- Laptops
- Small printers
- Small TVs
- Ceiling fans
- LED light bulbs
- Some coffee makers
Keep in mind that power usage varies greatly between appliances. Always check the wattage requirements before plugging something into your inverter.
High-draw appliances like microwaves, heaters, or hair dryers usually require much larger systems.
The BESTEK Power Inverter is similar to the style of inverter we use in our cabin.
Final Thoughts
For a small off-grid cabin, even a simple 200-watt solar setup can make a huge difference in comfort and convenience.
Being able to charge devices, power lights, and enjoy a few small appliances without relying on a generator has made cabin life much more enjoyable for us.
If you’re still planning your cabin layout, be sure to read my post on Off-Grid Lighting Ideas for more ways to make a small cabin comfortable and functional.
Disclosure
This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The information shared on this website is based on personal experience and research and is intended for general informational purposes only. Always use proper safety precautions and follow manufacturer guidelines when using tools, equipment, or outdoor gear.
updated May 2026
© 2019 – 2026, Teresa. All rights reserved.
I so had to read this article! I am living in the middle of nowhere, and I have no electricity and it has been tough. Installing solar also seemed expensive or maybe I asked the wrong people … You explained the steps to set this up very clearly and I like that you added photos. I already have an inverter, but it’s a little over 2 years and a half old. It would still work, right, not be outdated? I have never used it. I just need to get a panel and a battery and the cables. For just some lights in the evening, and enough charge for a laptop, wifi, and phone chargers, what panel should I get? And if I want to include a small fridge, how many more panels do I need?
Hi Christine, I have been looking at hooking up a fridge and did some research on this. You might be interested in this link. Mini Fridge for Off Grid We have a 200 watt panel and that works great for charging our phones, a light in the evening etc. Solar Power Kits
Hi Teresa,
I found your post highly uplifting and educational. Solar panels are getting popular in the part of the world where I live and people are interested in installing solar panels. I am also interested in it and while doing some research found your informative post. I got helpful insights from your post.
The step by step walk-through on setting up the solar system and the images you shared are very helpful in my understanding. You have really given a lot of value here.
Your post certainly made me think more on the subject and I am bookmarking it for future reference.
Thanks Paul. Check back for more info as we are learning along the way. In the future we hope to power the larger cabin with solar as well, but of course it will be a larger system.
Wow! This is really interesting. I have some little knowledge and experience about solar panels and inverters because I am a student of electrical and electronics engineering. I love solar technology so much and I plan on getting a very powerful one iin my house because of the numerous advantages and benefits of this technology and free energy from nature. Thank you for sharing your experience with us.
Regards!
We also, are learning along the way. In the future we will get a larger solar system for our bigger cabin. It’s been great learning about this and sharing with everyone.
Hi Teresa
I can imagine cabins in the wilderness, where you need power that this solar panel set up can give. If it is easy to set up then I can imagine that most people living in cabins will take them up. What surprises me is the number of electronic devices that can be powered by these solar panel. I wonder how many panels would you require to have enough to power an average cabin, as it would be interesting to how much of the roof will be covered by them.
As with all solar panels the concern of the amount of power produced if it is cloudy or if the solar panel if they get dirty. You wonder if enough power is generated to cover all your needs.
Thank you for your article as it is very interesting, as we live in environmentally friendly times mm
Antonio
Hi Antonio, we are learning as we go along and in the future will power the larger cabin with solar as well. When this is done there will be many more panels, batteries and a much larger inverter so be sure to check back as I will be sharing that with everyone as well.
Living in a place where it is cloudy can certainly affect the amount of solar power you will receive, we are lucky as I was doing research I found out that we are living in one of the best places in our country to harness solar power.
Thanks for stopping by the website.
Teresa,
I’m curious as to how the panels survived the winter with snow accumulation, or not?
Hi Allen,
The angle the panels are sitting are great. Any snow just slides off and we had lots of snow last winter.
I have always been very fascinated by the use of solar panels and I was even hopi g that maybe someday I too would be able to run out in my home but didn’t know which type. I think this one will make for a very good solar system in my home and I will also enjoy using it very much. Your explanation is very good.
Hi Suz, this one is a good starter for sure. It helped me understand how the whole solar thing works and now we are ready to put a bigger system in the large cabin…..keep posted lol. Take care