A fridge that keeps the groceries cold, lights for an evening card game, and a cup of coffee in the morning. These are small comforts, but they make a big difference at the cottage or cabin. Choosing the power system to run them can feel a little less straightforward. How many solar panels do you need? How much battery storage? And what happens when everyone wants to plug something in at once?
Canadian Off Grid’s Outfitter gives you a place to start. Answer a few questions about your property and what you want to power, then review a recommended equipment package. Whether you’re planning a seasonal cabin, a year-round home, or backup power for a house connected to the grid, you can start with the things you know about your own life.
Why Start With the Outfitter?
Two cabins of the same size can have very different power needs. One family might cook on propane and spend most of the day outdoors. Another might have an electric coffee maker, a well pump, and a television for rainy afternoons. Add a few guests and those needs can change again.
The Outfitter helps you think through those details before you choose equipment. You can see what belongs in your plan, check your assumptions, and bring a clearer picture of your project to a conversation with Canadian Off Grid. You don’t need to begin with a favourite inverter or a battery model. Begin with the way you want to use your property.
Getting Started
Choose Power System Builder from the menu on the Canadian Off Grid website, or open the Outfitter here. Read the acknowledgement on the opening page before continuing. Your equipment plan will still need a qualified electrician’s review for the final system size and installation.
It helps to have your location, approximate floor area, and a list of appliances handy. If you have the appliance manuals or labels, keep those nearby too. More accurate details will give you a more useful starting point.
Tell Us About Your Property
Start with your location and the type of property you want to power. Choose off-grid living or grid-tied backup, then work through the questions about when you’ll be there, how many people will stay, and how much battery backup you want.
You’ll also choose how you expect to recharge the batteries and where the equipment could go. Think about shade over the panels and whether the batteries will be in a heated space. If you’re unsure about a question, use the “Not sure” option where it’s offered. Those are good things to discuss with the team.
For this walkthrough, we’ve used a 600-square-foot cabin near Bancroft, Ontario, with two people staying from spring through fall. It’s an example to show the choices, so use your own property details when you try it.
What Do You Want to Power?
The next section is called Loads. A load is simply something that uses electricity: your fridge, lights, water pump, or laptop charger. You can start with a suggested list or build your own.
Go through the list and make it yours. Remove things you won’t use, add anything that’s missing, and adjust the quantities. Open Edit beside an item to change its typical use or enter exact equipment details. Don’t forget the little things. A charger here and a fan there still belong on the list.
You’ll see both daily energy use and peak demand. Daily energy is how much electricity you use over a day. Peak demand is the power needed when loads run together. A coffee maker used briefly and a fridge running throughout the day place different demands on a system, so both numbers matter.
Review Your Recommended System
When your list is ready, choose Review recommendation. You’ll be asked for your first name, last name, and email before viewing the plan.
The recommendation shows the suggested power system and battery storage, along with solar equipment where it’s part of your plan. Scroll down to see the equipment package, quantities, estimated battery backup, and installation notes. Review the available equipment choices and make sure the plan reflects what you want to supply yourself.
Our sample cabin received an EG4 6000XP recommendation. Your result may be different. The equipment will depend on your property, appliances, and backup needs.
Check what the estimated equipment cost includes. Installation, permits, inspections, site work, and extra materials are separate. Battery backup is an estimate too; actual running time depends on appliance use and conditions.
Need an Installer? We Can Help!
Once you’ve chosen your equipment, you’ll need someone you trust to install it. Canadian Off Grid has a network of trusted installers, and we can refer you to one close to your project location.
On your recommendation, check I need an installer! if you’d like a referral. The box starts unchecked, so you can review the equipment first and choose installer help when you need it. If you already have an installer, you can leave it unchecked and review the plan with them.
Tell us about your project when you save your plan or book a consultation, and follow the referral consent prompt so we can share your details with an installer. We can help you take that next step from choosing equipment to getting it installed.
Let’s Talk About Your Plan
You can choose Save plan to keep a copy, or Book consultation to talk through your project with Canadian Off Grid. With the installer box unchecked, you can also choose Buy equipment when your package is available for checkout. Follow the contact prompts and let us know where you need help. If you already have equipment or an installer, that’s useful information to bring along.
Choosing a power system is easier when you know what you want it to do. Try the Outfitter, work through your everyday needs, and see what your plan could look like. Then give us a call at (365) 240-1960 or email sales@canadianoffgrid.com if you’d like a hand. We’d love to help you get the power sorted so you can get on with enjoying the place.