Need advice on building my first off-grid solar system!

EchoTangoFox

New member
May 3, 2025
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Need advice on building my first off-grid solar system!

Just about to embark on my first off-grid solar system build and could use a bit of guidance from you seasoned pros. Been focusing more on the communication side of prepping, so this is new territory for me.

Got a rough plan in place - aiming for a 24V system with about 400W solar panels and a deep cycle battery bank to start. Trying to keep capacity enough for powering my amateur radio setup, a few LED lights, and some basic appliances.

Issue I'm wrestling with is charge controller selection. Looking at MPPT controllers because of their efficiency, but they seem to come with quite a hefty price tag.

Anyone with experience in implementing solar systems got a recommendation on reliable and cost-effective charge controllers? Is MPPT really worth the extra cost or can I get by with a PWM controller for my needs?

Looking forward to hearing from y'all. Any warnings or tips on avoiding rookie mistakes will be greatly appreciated too.