Off-grid
Off grid, grid-free, self-sufficient camping, autonomous power, solar camping, no hookups
Off-grid describes an RV or campervan operating entirely without an external electrical hookup, mains water or sewage connection — relying solely on onboard resources: solar panels, batteries, water tanks and a composting or cassette toilet.
A typical off-grid setup: 200–600 W of solar panels, 100–400 Ah LiFePO4, an MPPT charge controller, a 1–3 kW inverter and 100–200 L of fresh water. With this equipment you can stay away from campsites for weeks. In winter solar generation drops 3–5×, so many off-grid travellers add a DC-DC charger from the alternator or a diesel heater to reduce electrical heating loads.
FAQ
How do you size a solar system for an off-grid motorhome?
Step 1: calculate daily consumption (Wh). Step 2: divide by peak sun hours in your region (4–7 h) — this gives required panel wattage. Step 3: multiply consumption by 2 days autonomy and divide by battery voltage — this gives battery capacity in Ah. Example: 500 Wh/day ÷ 5 h = 100 W panels; 500×2÷13.2 = 76 Ah battery.
What do you do about winter off-grid camping?
Solar generation in winter is 3–5× lower, so add alternator charging via a DC-DC charger during driving. A diesel heater consumes very little electricity. For extended stays in northern latitudes, 400+ W of panels or a portable power station as a backup reserve is strongly recommended.
How can I stay connected to the internet off-grid?
Most vanlifers use 4G/5G routers with local SIM cards or plans with European roaming. Starlink for recreational vehicles works well in remote places but uses more power. A SIM card with Starlink as backup is the most robust combination for remote workers.