Off-Grid Installer

02/05/2026

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seCGBTU5Smw

🏔️ 20kW Off-Grid Solar Installation: Remote Welsh Mountain Cottage
We headed to Mid-Wales to tackle one of our most scenic (and windiest!) projects yet. 🏔️ In this video, Leigh and the team walk you through a complete off-grid overhaul for a remote mountain home. With 20 solar panels, 50kWh of lithium storage, and a 20kVA backup generator, this home is officially ready for anything the Welsh weather can throw at it.

Highlights:

0:00 - Introduction to the site

0:32 - The 20-panel solar array & ballast strategy

1:34 - Meeting the customer, Richard Smith

3:38 - The 20kVA Ferbo Generator

5:28 - Inside the Plant Room: Victron Quattros & LEOCH Batteries

6:27 - System monitoring & 100% SOC!

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15/12/2025

☀️ Off-Grid Barn Conversion: 10kW Solar & Victron System in the Yorkshire Dales! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
Join Leigh and the team from Off-Grid Installer as they take on a stunning barn conversion project in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales, right on the edge of Grassington. This remote property required a powerful, reliable, and completely independent energy solution to achieve full off-grid living!

🔋 The Off-Grid Power System:

We're installing a robust system featuring leading Victron Energy components to provide clean, consistent power to the barn conversion:

Solar Power: A massive 10,000 Watt (10kW) solar PV array is installed, consisting of 20 x 500W panels. This includes 16 South-facing panels for maximum generation and 4 West-facing panels to capture late afternoon sun.

Inverter & Charge Control: At the heart of the system is a 10kVA Victron MultiPlus-II inverter/charger and a Victron RS 200 SmartSolar MPPT charge controller.

Battery Storage: The power shed houses a well-insulated battery box for the energy storage system, ensuring reliable power day and night.

Generator Backup: For periods of low solar production, the system includes a 10kVA Steppl auto-start generator (approx. 8kW usable power), perfectly housed in its own shed to minimize noise, which integrates seamlessly with the Victron system to top up the batteries when needed.

Control & Monitoring: The entire system is managed by a Victron Color Control GX, giving the homeowner, Johnny, full insight and remote control over his power generation and usage.

This project is a perfect example of how remote barn conversions can be powered sustainably and reliably, even in the heart of the countryside! Watch the video to see the installation process and the final setup.



Off-Grid & Solar:

Barn Conversion & Location:

Equipment & Technology:

Join Leigh and the team from Off-Grid Installer as they take on a stunning barn conversion project in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales, right on the edge of Gra...

27/11/2025

🏡 Off-Grid Power System Installation: Solar, Batteries & Hydro Restoration in Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿
Join Leigh and the team from Off-Grid Installer as they take on a challenging project high in the mountains of Wales: installing a robust, sustainable, combined power system for an off-grid cottage!

This in-depth video documents the transformation of an outdated power setup into a modern, reliable system utilising both solar and hydroelectric power.

🔋 Power Hub Construction & Installation

The project started with building a secure, weatherproof home for the energy equipment in a small, previously-used wood store:

Battery System: Installation of six lithium batteries and an insulated battery box to protect them from the cold Welsh mountain climate.

Electronics: Mounting of the main electronics, including the powerful 15kVA Victron Quattro Inverter (12,000 watts max output) and Lynx DC Distributors for fusing.

Solar Charge Control: Installation of a large Victron RS 200 SmartSolar Charge Controller to manage the incoming power from the solar arrays.

Hydro Integration: A specialised ACDC converter and a Victron SmartSolar MPPT 150/35 charge controller were added to seamlessly integrate the refurbished hydroelectric system into the battery bank.

🌊 Hydro System Repair & Refurbishment

The team tackled the existing, outdated hydroelectric setup to ensure reliable 24/7 power, especially during the cloudy winter months:

Disassembly & Restoration: The old hydro system, including the alternator and cogwheel, was completely dismantled for refurbishment. The team replaced a worn-out bottom bearing and worked to release a seized centerpiece off the shaft.

Pipework Overhaul: All leaky PVC pipework and gate valves were replaced to ensure maximum water pressure (a gauge showed 2 bar pressure).

Reinstallation: The alternator, reassembled with new bearings and a belt drive, was reinstalled, along with new pipework, a new gate valve, and an AC isolator for safety.

☀️ Solar Array Installation on the Mountain Side

To maximise energy generation, Leigh installed multiple solar arrays on the south-east and south-south-west facing slopes:

Ground Preparation: The hillside was cleared and levelled using a digger to prepare the area for the arrays.

Framework: Giant ground screws were secured deep into the ground to create an extremely sturdy, adjustable solar mounting frame—essential for the challenging location.

Panel Setup: Two main arrays were installed using 455W Ecosolar panels (with a 35-year expected lifespan):

Main Array: A larger array consisting of a single string of 10 panels.

Secondary Array: A smaller array with two strings of 6 panels.

Final Connections: DC isolators were installed on the posts to allow safe power cut-off directly at the panel arrays, with armoured cable running back to the main power hub.

The cottage owner, Nick, highlights that the combined system of solar (for sunny days) and hydro (for continuous power, especially when water is plentiful in winter) provides a truly sustainable and robust energy solution for their remote Welsh property.

Join Leigh and the team from Off-Grid Installer as they take on a challenging project high in the mountains of Wales: installing a robust, sustainable, combi...

25/11/2025

https://youtu.be/XtnejYhLnyw
🐑 Off-Grid Tiny Home Upgrade in the Peak District | Lithium Batteries & Victron Energy System! 🏡🔋
Join Leigh, the Off-Grid Installer, as we return to a beautifully remote tiny home in the stunning Peak District for a major power system upgrade!

Mandy, the homeowner, has been living completely off-grid for eight years, relying on a system that was showing its age. This video details the process of replacing the old, bulky, and heavy lead-acid battery bank with a modern, high-performance Lithium battery system to make off-grid life simpler, cleaner, and more automatic.

The Power System Overhaul Highlights:

The Big Switch: We removed the old, eight-cell lead-acid battery bank and installed a compact set of four new lithium batteries (which Mandy confirms have a much higher capacity).

Victron Energy Integration: The heart of the new system is an upgraded suite of Victron components, including a Victron MultiPlus II Inverter/Charger and a new, correctly-sized MPPT Solar Charge Controller.

Automatic Control: The Victron system now controls the existing SDMO Diesel 10000 E backup generator, meaning it will automatically start and stop based on the battery’s state of charge, eliminating the need for Mandy to manually turn it on every night.

Remote Monitoring: A new Victron GX Touch screen provides an instant, easy-to-read overview of the system's performance (Solar Yield, AC Loads, Inverting status, and Battery State of Charge). Mandy can now also monitor and control the entire system remotely on her phone, which is a massive help for when she is travelling!

Cold Weather Protection: Because the Peak District is often very cold (Mandy mentions it was -10°C that morning!), we added a heater that automatically switches on to protect the batteries from low temperatures.

This project perfectly showcases how upgrading key components in an existing off-grid setup—especially moving to lithium and modern Victron control gear—can dramatically improve performance, ease of use, and energy security, even in challenging environments.

👉 Do you have an off-grid system that needs an upgrade? Contact Off-Grid Installer today!

System Components in this Video:

Inverter/Charger: Victron MultiPlus II (check model in video)

Solar Charge Controller: New Victron MPPT (replaces undersized unit)

Battery Bank: New Lithium Batteries (replaces 8x Lead-Acid batteries)

Monitoring: Victron GX Touch (and VRM Remote Monitoring)

Backup Generator: SDMO Diesel 10000 E

Join Leigh, the Off-Grid Installer, as we return to a beautifully remote tiny home in the stunning Peak District for a major power system upgrade!Mandy, the ...

24/11/2025

https://youtu.be/01jGNDSDvE8

🏡 Powering Up the Community: Off-Grid Solar for Birmingham Allotments! ☀️

Check out this incredible community project we've been working on in Solihull, Birmingham! We installed a complete off-grid power system for a National Lottery-funded allotment society project.

The goal? To bring reliable electricity to their community hub container, allowing the locals to use their fresh produce and salad from the allotments to make soup and other food for the community. A truly heartwarming project!

What We Installed:

Solar PV Panels: Four 500-watt solar panels on the main roof and another four 500-watt panels on the lean-to for maximum energy capture.

Victron Energy System: We installed a powerful 6kW inverter, which includes a solar controller and a battery charger (so they can hook up a generator if needed).

Battery Storage: A hidden bank of batteries ensures they have power even when the sun isn't shining. Plus, we've installed a heater to keep them warm in the winter!

Monitoring: The control screen lets them see exactly what their system is doing at all times.

This container now serves as a fantastic little kitchen and a functional space for community events, making a real difference to the local area.

A huge thank you to the local lads, Lee and Chris, for their hard work and to Paula for getting us the job! It's rewarding to put something back into a community project like this.

Follow us for more off-grid installations and sustainable energy solutions!

Check out this incredible community project we've been working on in Solihull, Birmingham! We installed a complete off-grid power system for a National Lotte...

21/11/2025

💡 Off-Grid Power for Solihull Allotments! 🔌🌱
A bit of a last-minute call, but we were buzzing to help the local community at Solihull Allotments!

I'm Leigh Naylor, your Off-Grid Installer, and we're putting a full off-grid power system into their container for a fantastic, locally-focused project.

This power system will enable the local community to use the produce they grow—like the fresh fruits, vegetables, and salads—to make soup for locals. It's all about sustainability, community, and making fresh, local food accessible.

A great little project funded by the National Lottery that supports the heart of the community!

What's the most exciting community project you've ever been a part of? 👇

21/11/2025

Escape to the countryside! ☀️ We just wrapped up a fantastic installation in the beautiful Peak District. This tiny home is now fully off-grid, running on a brand new Victron Energy system. Swipe to see the amazing views, the existing solar panels, and the new powerhouse inside, featuring a 10kVA inverter/charger and a bank of batteries. Sustainable living meets stunning scenery!

21/11/2025

Off-Grid Solar Installation: Peak District Cottage Gets Full Power Independence (Victron Energy System)
Join us in the stunning Peak District, Derbyshire as we commission a massive ground-mounted off-grid solar power system for a remote cottage! After living without power for six months, the homeowners are finally achieving total energy independence.

This project is a fantastic example of a hybrid install where the customer was able to save significantly on costs by doing all the groundworks, trenching, and panel mounting (including a mix of new and second-hand arrays) themselves. Off-Grid Installer came in to complete the complex wiring and system commissioning.

System Highlights & Components:

Solar Array: A large ground-mounted system featuring 10 new 455W panels combined with 24 existing 265W panels.

Inverter/Charger: The powerful 15 kVA Victron MultiPlus-II (offering 12,000W of continuous power output).

Solar Controller: A Victron MPPT RS 450|100 (or similar from the RS 450 range) solar charge controller, capable of handling multiple, high-voltage solar arrays.

Battery Bank: Housed in a dedicated, insulated shed to maintain optimal battery temperature.

Safety & Control: Features like DC isolators, Lynx Distributors with mega fuses, and a fused switch disconnector running power from the shed to the cottage.

Backup Power: A Kipor diesel generator with an auto start/stop signal cable (controlled by the Victron system via a Deep Sea relay) for reliable backup during extended dark periods.

Hear from the delighted customers about how this setup has been a "revelation" and the ease of working with Lee and the Off-Grid Installer team, especially with their unique split-responsibility approach.

Want to achieve energy independence in your remote location? Contact the experts at Off-Grid Installer for a custom solution!

⚡️ Off-Grid Solar Installation: Peak District Cottage Gets Full Power Independence (Victron Energy System)Join us in the stunning Peak District, Derbyshire a...

25/09/2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFEUy51ShSg

Octopus Energy CEO and renewables champion Greg Jackson delivered the keynote speech at The Independent's Climate 100 event in New York City, marking the lau...

30/11/2024

Have a great Saturday