Has anyone built off grid?  We are buying some property that is in the middle of the woods.  The closest electric is a small mile away.  It's possible to get it run to the property but it will be expensive.  There will be a small house (fridge, washer/dryer, full bathroom, the normal stuff), a well, lean to for horses, etc. Would love to hear anyone's experience if they did opt for a different type of power source than normal electric.  Thanks! 

We have a cabin off the grid. We just use a generator. The guy up the road is off the grid. He built a HUGE log home. He bought a very large diesel generator that powers it. It also has a large fireplace. You’d never guess it was off the grid if he didn’t tell you. It’s truly spectacular. He also has solar panels. 

Bump

My daughter and SIL live off grid in the Rockies in Colorado. They have solar power, wind power and yet still need a generator. We try to use the outhouse during the day to conserve water and showers everyday don’t happen, but it’s the mountains do very little sweat if any at all. The first time we went out it wasn’t too big of a deal but this last time the batteries were out on the solar power and they are expensive to replace apparently. The solar power was definitely not able to keep up by itself. We had to use the generator a lot. The alternative energy sources are expensive, too. BUT with their spectacular views and all the wildlife that travels literally through their yard, it’s worth it. I love going to visit! It is the most peaceful place on earth for me and my husband. No TV and you have to be a gymnast almost to get decent cell phone service if you have AT&T, though, hahaha! 

Go with a propane generator ... then you never have to deal with dead fuel or water accumulation in diesel or the ethanol in gasoline which is a killer for engines.    You can choose the size of propane storage tank on the size of generator and how much you use it.  It burns clean and never grows old.  You can get propane delivered if you have a tank 200 gallons or larger and it costs less than any other fuel.   Propane hot water tank and connections inside the house for open face propane heater or two with quick dis-connects to be used when needed. 

Fireplace needs a metal heatalater with no electric fan to heat the house or a wood burning stove with no electric fan.  A normal fireplace will suck air out of the house and you will freeze to death .. 

Plan on drilling your own water well and make sure your generator is rated to run the water well pump. 

SOLAR is not cheap as one of the posters indicated ... you have to have a large set of batteries and controls to be able to use it and then you only have 8 good hours of sunshine most days and less if cloudy and of course nothing at night.  You can rack up $5000 to $12,000 on solar installation very easily.   (Most people think solar panels is all you need and you just plug and play .. ) 

I would suggest you buy a small travel trailer and take some trips so you learn how to use less of everything while boondocking versus being hooked up to park utilities ..  

i would definetly be reading mother earth and research    propane is great my generator runs off it   but i would also research solar for some thing also insulate the heck out of it south facing window and  but i bet u are all reading doing that

Is your cabin equipped with "regular" home amenities like toilet, shower, etc?  How do you heat it?  Thanks

I bet the view is worth every second of it!  

Interesting, my husband was just talking about a propane generator. We will definately need to drill our own well.

Solar power - it's in the middle of the woods, we're in Michigan and have more cloudy days than sun and with the property being in the woods snow fall will be heavy and stick to the panels.  Not sure that's the best option for us.