Renewable Energy

Off-Grid Solar System Design - 20 hrs

A practical guide to designing reliable and robust off-grid power systems from the ground up.

Off-Grid Solar System Design - 20 hrs

About this course

Tired of off-grid advice that amounts to "buy lithium and pray?" This course, built from decades of real-world, in-the-field experience, is your guide to designing off-grid solar systems that are robust, reliable, and ready for anything. Forget the glossy marketing-we dive into the gritty details of what actually works, especially when the sun isn't shining and there's three feet of snow on the ground.

We'll expose the "dirty little secret" of off-grid living (yes, you still need a generator) and walk you through the top 10 design mistakes that cause most systems to fail. You'll learn why random parts don't work together, how to size your components to handle a well pump's startup surge without flickering the lights, and why planning for the worst week of winter is the key to true energy independence. Through a complete, step-by-step design for a remote cabin and case studies of real-world failures, you'll gain the practical wisdom to build systems that last. This isn't about formulas you can google; it's about learning to think like a seasoned off-grid professional.

What you'll learn

  • Master the art of sizing a battery bank based on weather, generator use, and budget-not just simple formulas.
  • Learn why a generator is your best friend and how to integrate it correctly to protect your investment.
  • Understand the top 10 design mistakes installers make and how to avoid them.
  • Design an inverter and battery system that can handle large motor startup surges without a flicker.
  • Confidently select the right system voltage (12V, 24V, or 48V) to maximize efficiency and safety.
  • Incorporate battery power limits (C-Rate) to prevent system overloads and ensure longevity.
  • Size a solar array for the worst week of winter, not just the best day of summer, to avoid a slowly dying system.
  • Walk through a complete, real-world design for an off-grid cabin, from start to finish.

Meet your instructors

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Greg Smith

Course Author | Solar & Storage Expert

Greg Smith is an Amazon #1 bestselling author and solar and storage expert with two decades of field experience spanning residential, commercial, and remote off-grid systems. His book, The Battery-Powered Home, has become a trusted resource for installers and homeowners across the industry. Greg currently works with Tigo Energy and brings the kind of no-nonsense, real-world perspective that only comes from actually fixing systems when they fail.

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Devyn Pizzo

Lead Instructor | Solar Design Expert

Devyn is a solar designer with six years of experience and a focus on off-grid and community resilience systems. Her portfolio spans residential, C&I, and utility-scale projects, with standout work including Blue Ranch Reserve, an off-grid design for UC Berkeley, and Sunrise Ranch, a community energy project serving a veterans association. She brings a design-first perspective to this course - built on real sites, real loads, and systems that communities can depend on.

This course includes:

  • 20 hrs of on-demand content
  • Certificate of completion
    Ascend Education Group