Best Off-Grid Solar Power System in 2026: Spec-by-Spec Breakdown for Homesteaders
I’ve been living fully off-grid on my northern Idaho homestead for over seven years. In that time, I’ve rebuilt my solar array twice, swapped battery banks once, blown up an inverter (that was a fun Saturday), and logged every kilowatt-hour produced and consumed through two complete solar years. When people ask me which is the best off-grid solar power system for their homestead, my answer is always the same: “It depends on your loads, your site, and your backup plan — and I can help you work through all three.”
This guide is the spec-deep, zero-fluff breakdown I wish I’d had before I spent $4,200 on an undersized flooded lead-acid battery bank that needed replacing in under four years. By the time you finish reading, you’ll know exactly what makes one solar setup outperform another, how to calculate the system you actually need, and what a realistic off-grid solar system cost looks like in 2026 dollars.
TL;DR — Key Takeaways
- The best off-grid solar power system is not a single product — it’s a matched set of components (panels, batteries, charge controller, inverter) sized to your verified load and your site’s sun hours.
- LFP batteries (lithium iron phosphate) are the 2026 gold standard for most homesteads: 3,000–5,000+ cycle life, 80–90% usable depth of discharge, no off-gas hazard.
- MPPT charge controllers outperform PWM by 20–30% in real-world harvest — always specify MPPT for systems above 400W.
- System cost tiers: $3,000–$8,000 (small cabin), $12,000–$25,000 (mid-size homestead), $30,000–$60,000+ (full whole-home).
- A backup generator is not optional. Solar covers 80–90% of your energy days; a backup generator covers the rest. Plan for it from day one.
- DIY reduces cost by 30–50% but adds responsibility for code compliance, roof penetration integrity, and battery safety.
What Makes the Best Off-Grid Solar Power System
Before you shop panels or batteries, you need a clear definition of “best.” In the off-grid world, that breaks down to five criteria:
1. Adequate Capacity for Your Load
A 2 kW system is “the best” for a minimal cabin. A 10 kW system is “the best” for a homestead running well pumps, a chest freezer, power tools, and EV charging. Neither is universally superior — the system that matches your verified daily load wins.
2. Sufficient Battery Autonomy
Autonomy is how many days of energy storage your battery bank provides without any solar input. The industry standard for off-grid homesteads is two to three days of autonomy. Less than two days and you’re constantly leaning on a backup generator. More than four days and you’re spending money on battery capacity that rarely gets used.
3. Matched Component Efficiency
Each component in a solar system has an efficiency rating. Mismatching them creates bottlenecks. A high-efficiency panel array feeding into a low-spec PWM charge controller wastes 20–30% of available harvest. A quality inverter running at 95% efficiency versus a cheap 85% unit saves roughly 10% of your battery capacity every single day.
4. Durability and Serviceability
Off-grid hardware lives in harsh environments. Panels get hail, snow loads, and UV degradation. Batteries cycle through daily charge/discharge stress. Inverters run continuously. Look for panels with 25-year linear performance warranties (most Tier 1 manufacturers), batteries with cycle-life specs at your intended depth of discharge, and inverters with manufacturer support and replacement parts availability.
5. A Credible Backup Plan
Even the best-designed solar array will face multi-day overcast stretches in winter. The best off-grid solar system always includes a clear backup power strategy — typically a propane or diesel generator or a purpose-built solar generator that bridges cloudy-day gaps without running a noisy fuel generator 24 hours a day. More on this in the complete off-grid power system guide.
Component-by-Component Spec Breakdown
Solar Panels
What to look for in 2026:
- Cell technology: Monocrystalline PERC or TOPCon panels are the current efficiency leaders. Monocrystalline PERC panels run 19–22% efficiency; TOPCon panels push 22–24%. Both are mainstream and competitively priced.
- Panel wattage: Standard residential panels now run 400–500W per panel. For off-grid arrays, 400W panels are the practical sweet spot — easier to handle solo for DIY installs, compatible with most racking hardware.
- Temperature coefficient: Rated at standard test conditions (25°C), panels lose power as they heat up. Look for a temperature coefficient of -0.30%/°C or better. In a hot climate, panels regularly hit 50–60°C surface temperature in summer — that’s a 7–10% power reduction from rated wattage.
- Warranty: 25-year linear performance guarantee (guaranteeing at least 80% of rated output at year 25) is standard from Tier 1 manufacturers. Don’t accept less.
- IP rating: IP67 or IP68 junction box rating protects against moisture ingress. Non-negotiable for outdoor installation.
Real-world panel output math: A 400W panel in a location with 5 peak sun hours produces approximately 400 × 5 × 0.80 (system efficiency factor) = 1,600 Wh per day in good conditions. The 0.80 factor accounts for wiring losses, temperature derating, and shading.
Battery Bank
The battery bank is the most consequential purchase decision in your off-grid solar system. Get this wrong and you’ll either be replacing batteries every three to four years or running out of power every cloudy week.
Battery type comparison:
| Battery Type | Cycle Life (80% DoD) | Usable Capacity | Upfront Cost (per kWh) | Maintenance | Thermal Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) | 3,000–5,000+ | 80–90% | $400–$700 | None | Excellent (no thermal runaway risk) |
| AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) | 500–800 | 50% | $200–$350 | Low | Good |
| Flooded Lead-Acid | 300–700 | 50% | $100–$200 | High (watering, equalization) | Moderate (off-gas hazard) |
My recommendation: LFP for any system over $8,000 total budget. The math is compelling. A 10 kWh LFP bank at $5,000 that lasts 12–15 years costs roughly $333–$417 per year in capital. A 10 kWh AGM bank at $2,500 that lasts 3–4 years at 50% usable capacity costs $625–$833 per year — and you only get half the usable energy. AGM and flooded lead-acid make sense only for very tight budgets or backup systems that rarely cycle.
LFP specs to verify:
- Cell chemistry: LiFePO4 (not generic “lithium”)
- BMS (Battery Management System): integrated, with cell-level balancing, over-temperature shutoff, over/under-voltage protection
- Operating temperature range: verify discharge range covers your winter low temperatures (most LFP specs are -20°C to 60°C discharge, 0°C to 45°C charge — note the charge limitation in freezing conditions)
- Cycle life rated at what DoD? Always confirm at 80% DoD minimum
- UL or IEC certification: verified by a third-party testing lab
MPPT Charge Controller
The charge controller is the traffic cop between your panels and your battery bank. It prevents overcharging, manages the charge profile (bulk → absorption → float), and — if you choose MPPT — actively maximizes the power extracted from your panels.
MPPT vs. PWM:
- PWM (Pulse Width Modulation): Simple, cheap, works by directly connecting panels to the battery with timed pulses. Efficient only when panel voltage closely matches battery voltage. Loses 20–30% of potential harvest in most real-world conditions.
- MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking): Continuously adjusts the electrical operating point of the panels to extract maximum power, then steps voltage down to match battery charging requirements. 93–98% conversion efficiency. The cost premium ($100–$300 for a quality unit) pays back in harvested energy within months.
Controller sizing: Your MPPT controller must handle the maximum short-circuit current (Isc) from your panel array. Standard formula: (Total panel watts ÷ battery bank voltage) × 1.25 safety factor = minimum controller amps. A 3,000W array on a 48V battery system needs: (3,000 ÷ 48) × 1.25 = 78A minimum — step up to a 80A or 100A unit.
Key specs:
- Max PV input voltage: verify your series-string panel voltage stays below this limit, especially in cold conditions (cold increases Voc)
- Max charge current: size to your array
- Battery voltage compatibility: 12V / 24V / 48V auto-detect or manual
- Data logging: local display plus app/Bluetooth connectivity for monitoring daily harvest
Inverter/Charger
The inverter converts DC battery power to AC household current. For an off-grid homestead, you want a pure sine wave inverter — not a modified sine wave unit. Modified sine wave inverters are cheaper but cause problems with motors (refrigerators, well pumps, power tools), sensitive electronics, and some LED lighting.
Pure sine wave inverter specs to check:
- Continuous output rating: must exceed your largest single load plus typical simultaneous loads
- Surge capacity: at least 200–300% of continuous rating for motor start surge (well pumps and refrigerators draw 3–6× running wattage at startup)
- Transfer switch speed: for a hybrid unit with generator input, fast transfer (<20ms) protects sensitive loads
- THD (Total Harmonic Distortion): ≤3% for clean power comparable to utility grid
- Idle power consumption: inverters draw power even at no load; look for <30W idle draw
- Efficiency at 50% load: 93–97% is the modern benchmark — high efficiency at partial load matters because most systems run well below peak capacity most of the time
Inverter/charger vs. separate inverter + charger: For homestead systems, an all-in-one inverter/charger simplifies wiring and enables automatic generator start/transfer. Units from Victron, Schneider, and SMA integrate generator input, battery charging, and inverter function in a single unit. Worth the premium.
System Sizing Guide
Getting the sizing right is where most first-time off-grid buyers go wrong — in both directions. Oversizing wastes money. Undersizing means running out of power every cloudy week and wearing out your generator and your patience simultaneously.
Step 1: Load Assessment
List every electrical load you plan to power, its wattage, and how many hours per day you’ll use it. Be honest — this isn’t the place to be optimistic.
Example homestead load list:
| Load | Wattage | Hours/Day | Daily Wh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator/freezer | 150W avg | 24 | 3,600 |
| LED lighting (8 circuits) | 120W | 5 | 600 |
| Laptop + phone charging | 100W | 4 | 400 |
| Water pump (well, 1/2 HP) | 400W | 1 | 400 |
| Washing machine | 500W | 0.5 | 250 |
| Chest freezer | 100W avg | 24 | 2,400 |
| Power tools (occasional) | 1,500W | 0.25 | 375 |
| Total | 8,025 Wh/day |
Add a 20–25% buffer for efficiency losses: 8,025 × 1.25 = ~10,000 Wh/day target production.
Step 2: Panel Array Sizing
Panel array size = Daily energy target ÷ Peak sun hours ÷ Panel efficiency factor
Using the example above with 5.0 peak sun hours (typical for mid-latitude US) and 0.80 system efficiency:
10,000 Wh ÷ 5.0 ÷ 0.80 = 2,500W of panel capacity
Round up to the next standard configuration: 7 × 400W panels = 2,800W array.
Peak sun hours by US region (approximate):
- Pacific Northwest / New England: 3.5–4.5 hours
- Midwest / Mid-Atlantic: 4.5–5.5 hours
- Mountain West / Southwest: 5.5–7.0 hours
- Southeast: 4.5–5.5 hours
If your site is in a low-sun-hour region, size your array to your worst-month peak sun hours — not the annual average.
Step 3: Battery Bank Sizing
Target autonomy: 2 days without solar input.
Battery bank size = Daily energy need × Autonomy days ÷ Usable DoD
For LFP at 90% DoD: 10,000 Wh × 2 ÷ 0.90 = 22,222 Wh = 22.2 kWh
Round up to a standard configuration: 25 kWh LFP bank (e.g., 4 × 6.25 kWh modules, or 2 × 48V 260Ah batteries).
For AGM at 50% DoD: 10,000 × 2 ÷ 0.50 = 40,000 Wh = 40 kWh — nearly double the physical and dollar size for the same usable capacity.
This is the real-world math that makes LFP more cost-effective over a 10-year horizon despite higher upfront cost.
Off-Grid Solar System Cost: What to Budget in 2026
System Size Tiers
| System Size | Panel Capacity | Battery (kWh) | Typical Cost Range (DIY) | Typical Cost Range (Installed) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 1–2 kW | 5–10 kWh LFP | $3,000–$6,000 | $6,000–$12,000 | Cabin, bug-out property, single room |
| Medium | 4–6 kW | 20–30 kWh LFP | $12,000–$18,000 | $20,000–$35,000 | Small homestead, 2–3 br off-grid home |
| Large | 8–15 kW | 40–80 kWh LFP | $22,000–$40,000 | $40,000–$75,000 | Full homestead, well pump, shop, EV |
Cost Breakdown by Component (Medium System Example: 5 kW / 25 kWh LFP)
| Component | Spec | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Solar panels | 13 × 400W monocrystalline PERC | $3,500–$5,000 |
| LFP battery bank | 25 kWh (4 × 48V 130Ah modules) | $7,000–$10,000 |
| MPPT charge controller | 80A, 48V system | $400–$700 |
| Inverter/charger | 5,000W pure sine, 48V | $1,200–$2,500 |
| Racking / mounting | Roof or ground mount for 13 panels | $800–$1,500 |
| Wiring, conduit, overcurrent protection | Heavy gauge DC + AC wiring, breakers, combiner | $600–$1,200 |
| Monitoring system | Shunt-based battery monitor + solar harvest logger | $150–$350 |
| Miscellaneous / contingency | 10% | $1,400–$2,200 |
| Total (DIY) | $15,050–$23,450 | |
| Total (Professionally Installed) | (add $4,000–$10,000 for labor + permitting) | $19,000–$33,000 |
Cost reduction levers:
- DIY installation: saves $4,000–$15,000 depending on system size
- Ground-mount arrays (simpler than roof, no penetrations, easier future expansion)
- Buying direct from panel/battery distributors rather than through solar installers
- Using used or B-grade panels for non-critical strings (verify with flash testing data)
For more on cost-effective configurations, my off-grid solar power systems guide walks through six real homestead case studies with actual component lists and costs.
Off-Grid Power Solutions: Beyond Just Solar
The best off-grid power solutions are almost never solar-only. Here’s the full landscape of what’s available in 2026 and how each source fits into a resilient energy strategy.
Solar PV (Photovoltaic)
Role: Primary generation source. Pros: Zero fuel cost, silent, minimal maintenance, scalable, 25+ year panel life. Cons: Intermittent (cloudy days, winter angles, nighttime), requires substantial upfront investment, needs battery backup for nighttime loads. Best for: Virtually every off-grid installation as the backbone generation source.
Battery Storage (LFP)
Role: Time-shift solar generation, bridge overnight and short cloudy periods. Pros: Silent, no emissions, high round-trip efficiency (95%+), scalable in modular form. Cons: High upfront cost, finite cycle life, charge limitations in sub-freezing temperatures. Best for: Any system where continuous power is needed without running a generator at night.
Backup Generator (Fuel-Powered)
Role: Extended cloudy-day coverage, high-load support (welding, large power tools), emergency backup. Pros: Reliable regardless of weather, can supply high wattage on demand. Cons: Fuel cost, noise, maintenance, emissions, fuel storage and rotation. Best for: Every off-grid system as a backup layer — never rely on solar + batteries alone for critical loads.
For a detailed head-to-head, see off-grid solar generator vs fuel generator.
Micro-Hydro
Role: Continuous baseload generation from a stream or creek with adequate flow and head. Pros: 24/7 generation regardless of sun, small systems can produce 1–5 kW continuously — far more reliable than solar in terms of consistent output. Cons: Requires specific site hydrology (flow rate × head pressure), requires water rights in many jurisdictions, installation complexity. Best for: Properties with year-round stream access. One of the most underused off-grid power solutions.
Small Wind Turbines
Role: Supplemental generation, especially in sites with consistent wind (coastal, ridgeline). Pros: Generates at night and in overcast conditions (unlike solar), complements solar seasonally in many climates (wind is often strongest in winter when solar is weakest). Cons: Mechanical maintenance, noise, bird/bat impact concerns, site-specific viability, permitting requirements. Best for: Wind-exposed sites with average annual wind speeds above 10 mph at hub height.
Alternative Generation Technologies
There are a number of alternative energy technologies — some legitimate, some heavily marketed with claims that exceed demonstrated performance. Before investing in any technology that promises unusual output ratios, I recommend verifying against independently tested specifications and third-party user reports.
The Orgone Motor review and Tyranny Liberator photovoltaic guide both explore systems that claim to reduce grid dependence through less conventional approaches — worth reading critically if you’re researching all your options. The key in any purchase is verifiable specs from a credible source and a solid refund policy.
The Hybrid Solar Dominant Approach
For most homesteads, the answer is solar-dominant hybrid: solar PV as the primary source, LFP battery storage for daily time-shifting, and a propane or diesel generator as backup for multi-day cloud events and high-load tasks. This configuration covers 80–90% of energy days from free solar generation while maintaining reliability for the other 10–20%.
For homesteaders also considering high-efficiency mechanical generation concepts, the Ultimate Off-Grid Generator program covers design principles and component selection for building a supplemental generation system alongside a solar array.
DIY vs. Professionally Installed: The Real Trade-Offs
DIY Installation
Cost savings: 30–50% of total system cost depending on labor market in your area. Time commitment: A 5 kW system with 12 panels typically takes 3–5 days for an experienced DIYer with a helper, plus electrical rough-in and final inspection.
What DIY requires:
- Permit application and plan submission (most jurisdictions require this even for off-grid)
- Comfort working at roof height or on a ladder (or ground mount, which eliminates this)
- Basic electrical competency for DC and AC wiring (off-grid systems can have lethal voltages — 48V DC at high amperage, 240V AC)
- Understanding of NEC (National Electrical Code) requirements for solar and battery installations
- Local utility notification (even off-grid systems may require notification in some states)
Where DIY goes wrong: Undersized wiring creating a fire hazard, incorrect battery connections, insufficient overcurrent protection, improper grounding, and roof penetrations that leak. Each of these is a serious, sometimes catastrophic failure mode. If you’re not confident in any of these areas, the labor cost of a licensed electrician for those specific portions is worth every dollar.
Professionally Installed
When it makes sense:
- Roof-mounted systems above 3 kW (roof penetrations are the most consequential DIY risk)
- Systems requiring utility interconnection (even off-grid systems may interface with grid in hybrid configurations)
- Properties where building permits are scrutinized (resale areas, HOAs, rural electric coop jurisdictions)
- Time-constrained situations where a multi-week DIY project isn’t feasible
Getting the best installed price:
- Get three bids from installers with off-grid experience specifically (many residential solar installers have minimal off-grid experience)
- Ask for itemized quotes so you can compare component quality, not just total price
- Verify the installer specifies the battery type and brand in writing before signing
- Confirm permit pulling is included, and who is responsible if inspection fails
The Best Off-Grid Solar System: Top Considerations for 2026
After seven years running my own off-grid system and studying hundreds of setups in my CERT instructor network, here are the considerations I see making the most meaningful difference in system satisfaction and longevity:
1. Prioritize Battery Chemistry Over Panel Brand
The battery chemistry decision (LFP vs. AGM vs. flooded lead-acid) has a larger long-term impact than which panel brand you choose. Tier 1 monocrystalline panels from a dozen manufacturers are nearly interchangeable at similar wattage ratings. Your battery bank will either reward you or frustrate you for a decade.
2. Size for Your Worst Month, Not Your Best
Many first-time buyers size their system based on annual averages or optimistic summer sun hours. Then December arrives with 3.2 peak sun hours, and they’re running their generator every other day. Size your array to cover your needs in your worst-month conditions (lowest sun hours plus potentially highest heating/lighting load in winter).
3. Plan Your Backup Before You Need It
Every off-grid system needs a backup plan for extended low-solar periods. A quality backup generator, sized to both charge your battery bank and run critical loads simultaneously, should be specified as part of your initial system design — not retrofitted later. The best off-grid generator options 2026 guide covers sizing and selection in detail.
4. Monitor Your System Daily (at Minimum)
A battery monitoring system (shunt-based, measuring actual amp-hours in and out) gives you the ground truth on your system’s state of charge. Many failures — a failing cell, a parasitic load, a shading issue on one string — are caught early through monitoring and would otherwise go unnoticed until they cause a significant event. Budget $150–$350 for a quality monitor; it pays for itself by preventing one preventable battery abuse event.
5. Leave Room to Expand
Solar arrays are modular. If your initial design leaves room on your roof (or ground mount) for additional panels, and your charge controller has headroom above its current load, you can expand capacity relatively inexpensively later. I upgraded from a 2.4 kW to a 4.8 kW array by adding panels and upgrading my charge controller — no new mounting hardware needed because I designed the original ground mount oversized.
6. Read the Specs, Not the Marketing
Battery manufacturers are notorious for publishing optimistic cycle life numbers at shallow discharge depths. A battery claiming “3,000 cycles” that achieves that only at 20% DoD is very different from one achieving 3,000 cycles at 80% DoD. Always verify cycle life at the DoD you plan to actually use. Same applies to panel warranties — read the performance guarantee, not just the product warranty.
For hands-on field reviews of systems I’ve personally tested, see best off-grid solar system hands-on tested.
A Note on DIY Energy Systems and Learning Resources
Some of the most cost-effective off-grid setups I’ve seen come from homesteaders who invested in solid educational resources before spending on hardware. Understanding system design principles before purchasing prevents expensive sizing mistakes and component mismatches that plague many first-time installations.
If you’re in the research phase and want a structured program for understanding off-grid power system design — from panel selection through battery sizing, wiring, and backup integration — the Ultimate Off-Grid Generator course is worth reviewing. It covers the system design framework I’ve described in this article in much greater depth, with worked examples and component selection guidance.
Also worth bookmarking: the Ultimate Off-Grid Generator review walks through the program’s content structure and what type of learner gets the most value from it.
FAQ
What is the best off-grid solar power system for a homestead?
The best off-grid solar power system combines an appropriately sized solar panel array, an LFP battery bank with 2–3 days of autonomy, an MPPT charge controller, and a quality pure sine wave inverter/charger. System size should be based on a verified load assessment of your actual energy needs. A backup generator adds resilience for extended cloudy periods — budget for it from the start, not as an afterthought.
How much does an off-grid solar system cost?
Off-grid solar system costs range from $3,000–$8,000 for a small starter setup (1–2 kW), $12,000–$25,000 for a mid-range homestead system (4–6 kW), to $30,000–$60,000+ for a whole-home system (8–15+ kW). DIY installation can reduce costs by 30–50% compared to professional installation. The largest variable is battery bank chemistry — LFP costs more upfront but substantially less per cycle over a 10–15 year system life.
What are the best off-grid power solutions?
The most reliable off-grid power solution is a solar-dominant hybrid: solar panels as the primary generation source, LFP batteries for storage, and a backup fuel generator for extended cloudy periods. Micro-hydro is superior to solar for properties with year-round stream access. Small wind turbines are a strong complement to solar in exposed, windy sites. Layering generation sources — solar + wind + hydro + backup generator — provides the highest system resilience.
What battery is best for an off-grid solar system?
LFP (lithium iron phosphate) batteries are the best choice for most off-grid solar applications in 2026. They offer 3,000–5,000+ charge cycles at 80% DoD, excellent thermal safety with no thermal runaway risk, and 80–90% usable capacity. The higher upfront cost per kWh is more than offset by their much longer lifespan compared to AGM or flooded lead-acid. AGM is a reasonable compromise for tight budgets in systems that don’t cycle daily.
What is the best off-grid solar system for a small cabin or bug-out property?
For a small cabin with basic loads (lighting, phone charging, small refrigerator, occasional laptop), a 1–2 kW solar array with 5–10 kWh of LFP battery storage handles daily needs comfortably. A small inverter generator (2,000–3,500W) rounds out the system for extended cloudy periods. Total installed cost: $4,000–$12,000 depending on location and whether you install yourself or hire out.
How do I calculate the off-grid solar system I need?
Start by listing every electrical load: appliance wattage × hours of daily use = daily watt-hours. Sum all loads, add 25% for efficiency losses. Divide the target daily production by your location’s average peak sun hours (use your worst winter month) to get required panel wattage. Size your battery bank for 2 days of autonomy at 80–90% DoD (LFP). Size your MPPT charge controller to handle your panel array’s output at your battery voltage. Round everything up to the next standard configuration.
Key Takeaways
- The best off-grid solar power system is the one sized correctly for your verified loads and site conditions — not the biggest or most expensive.
- LFP batteries are the 2026 standard for homestead systems: longer cycle life, higher usable capacity, and superior safety compared to lead-acid alternatives.
- MPPT charge controllers are mandatory for systems above 400W — the harvest improvement pays for the premium within months.
- Realistic off-grid solar system cost in 2026: $3,000–$8,000 DIY small, $12,000–$25,000 DIY medium, $30,000–$60,000+ large installed.
- The best off-grid power solutions combine solar as the primary source with battery storage and a fuel-backup generator — no single source covers all scenarios.
- Size to your worst-month sun hours, not annual averages.
- Monitor your system daily. Battery monitoring is the earliest warning system for component issues and usage creep.
- Build in expansion room from day one — solar is modular, and your loads will likely grow.
Informational only. This article is for general informational purposes and is not professional, legal, medical, electrical, or financial advice. Survival, energy, and water-treatment decisions carry real risks — consult a licensed professional for your specific situation. Product claims are the manufacturer’s; verify current details on the official site.
By Megan Forsythe — off-grid homesteader & CERT-certified emergency preparedness instructor.