Leave the Grid, Not Reliability
Size once, enjoy for years. A right-sized cabin system runs LED lighting, a 12V fridge, fans, pumps, LTE routers, and cameras without noisy, fuel-hungry generators. Design for your worst-sun months and add a few days of autonomy so storms and overcast spells don’t knock you offline.
Engineered for Cabins: Durability Meets Performance
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![Angle range diagram illustrating 15°–60° tilt for seasonal optimization.]()
Tilt-Ready for Winter Gains
Low sun angles and snow demand tilt. Adjustable legs improve winter harvest and help shed snow faster.
— Try: Adjustable Solar Panel Tilt Mount Brackets -
![Rigid framed solar panel installed on the pole mount, tilted toward sun.]()
Pole & Wall Mounts to Clear Tree Shade
If your roof is shaded, move the array to where the sun actually is and keep DC runs short.
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![38MM z brackets for solar panels]()
Secure, Low-Profile Roof Installs
For framed modules on cabins/sheds, simple and sturdy Z-brackets are a classic.
— Try: Solar Panel Z Brackets Mounting Kit (4PCS Aluminum) -
![Black ABS drain clip mounted on a framed solar panel edge with water dripping through.]()
Protection, Wiring & Tools
Safe off-grid systems use proper DC protection and weather-ready hardware.
— Browse Solar Accessories
Sizing & Load Planning (fast method)
- Add up daily energy: Σ (device watts × hours) = Wh/day.
- Add 20–30% system losses (controller, wiring, temperature).
- Size array for the worst month: Needed watts ≈ Wh/day ÷ peak-sun-hours (worst month).
- Battery autonomy: Choose ≥1–3 days (more in snowy/overcast regions).
Example
Fridge 45W×10h = 450Wh; Lights 25W×6h = 150Wh; Fan 30W×6h = 180Wh; Electronics 200Wh → ~980Wh/day.
With 25% losses → ~1,225Wh. If worst-month sun ≈ 4h/day → ~310W array. Pair with a 200Ah (12V) bank for ~2 days autonomy.
Off-Grid Cabin — Work We’ve Delivered
| Customer / Use Case | Solution | Panel & Construction | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
Mountain Tiny House | 2×100 W array with winter tilt; labeled breaker; short DC run | Rigid frames on roof; stainless brackets | Lights, 12 V fridge, pumps; good winter uptime with daily sun |
Ranger Outpost | 300 W array moved to clearing with pole; 35–45° tilt; conduit down pole. Pole kit | Glass-laminated 3×100 W; pole hardware | Harvest improved vs shaded roof; router + lights run reliably |
Weekend Cabin | 200 W array; heat-spacer under panel; periodic snow wipe; Tilt brackets (15°–60°) | Rigid frames; adjustable tilt | Better winter performance and cooler summer operation |
Trail Camera Ridge | 10 W micro-node on wall/pole bracket; 1–3 days autonomy; weather-sealed box. 5–10 W wall/pole bracket | Mini/framed 10 W; compact mount | Uptime improves; easier maintenance without ladders |
Grain Shed Monitor | Z-brackets on metal roof; fused battery lead; labeled polarity | Framed 60–100 W; aluminum Z-brackets | Sensors + router stay online; safe, serviceable wiring |
Lake Cabin Workshop | Hybrid roof + small portable for cloudy runs; torque-marked fasteners | Rigid roof + folding portable | Tool charging bursts without over-sizing roof array |
Load Profiles (three common paths)
- Weekend Cabin (≤800Wh/day)
LEDs + LTE router/camera + fan + device charging. Start with ~200W + 20A MPPT; add tilt to boost winter yield.
- Tiny House (1.0–1.6kWh/day)
12V fridge, LEDs, fan/pump, and electronics. Plan for ~300–400W + 30–40A MPPT; use pole mounts if the roof is shaded.
- Security-First (400–900Wh/day)
PoE cameras + LTE router + IR lighting. Where possible, feed devices directly with DC to avoid PoE injector overhead; budget injector self-consumption into daily Wh.
Installation & Wiring Checklist
Mounting: choose low-drag roof Z-Brackets, high-angle Tilt Mounts, or sun-seeking Pole Mounts based on site constraints.
Wiring: keep cable runs short; select proper AWG for current and distance; use a waterproof cable gland at entry.
Protection: place a fuse or DC breaker within ~18cm of battery positive; size breakers for system voltage and expected fault current.
Why LinkSolar
Mount-first approach to solve winter sun angles and tree shade with Tilt / Pole / Z-Bracket hardware.
Weather-ready parts designed for outdoor, year-round exposure.
OEM/ODM options for custom sizes, connectors, and harness lengths; for ultra-low loads, see Mini Solar Panels and Solar Cells
Frequently Asked Questions
How many watts do I need for a cabin?
How many watts do I need for a cabin?
Add up your daily energy in Wh, add 20–30% for losses, then divide by worst-month sun hours to get panel watts. Choose ≥1–3 days of battery autonomy (more in snowy/overcast regions).
Tilt vs. flat mounting—does it matter?
Tilt vs. flat mounting—does it matter?
Yes—especially in winter or at higher latitudes. Adjustable tilt improves incident angle, helps snow shed, and can meaningfully increase production.
My roof is shaded by trees—what’s best?
My roof is shaded by trees—what’s best?
Don’t fight physics. Move the array into clear sun using a Pole Mount and keep DC runs short to reduce voltage drop.
Can I power PoE cameras and LTE routers on solar?
Can I power PoE cameras and LTE routers on solar?
Yes. Note that PoE injectors and switches consume extra power; direct DC feeding is usually more efficient. If you must use PoE, include injector self-consumption in your Wh budget.
What should I buy first if building slowly?
What should I buy first if building slowly?
Decide the mounting strategy first (Tilt / Pole / Z-Bracket). Then add panels, controller, protection, and wiring once you know how winter sun and shade affect your site.