Chris and Kath had a clear goal to live more sustainably and independently in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.

Their rural property needed a dependable off grid energy system capable of powering the home, workshop and small scale permaculture garden throughout the year.

They approached Stand Alone Power Systems looking for a system that could handle changing seasonal conditions, variable energy use and minimal generator reliance.

Going Off Grid in the Heart of Queensland

The challenge was to create a system that delivered reliable power without unnecessary generator use while still allowing for future growth.

That meant considering:

• Household appliances
• Workshop tools
• Refrigeration
• Irrigation requirements
• Seasonal weather conditions
• Future energy demand

The final design needed to balance solar generation, battery storage, inverter performance and backup generation as one complete system.

The System Designed for Performance and Independence

After reviewing the property’s energy use and expected loads, we designed a custom off grid solar system around the way Chris and Kath actually use power.

The system included:

• 6 kW solar array with east west orientation
• Victron Energy 5 kW Series 2 inverter charger
• MidNite Solar MPPT charge controller
• 48 kWh battery bank at 48 V
• 7 kVA auto start diesel generator for backup

This configuration was designed to provide dependable day to day power while still allowing for expansion and additional support during poor weather.

Why the Solar Array Layout Matters

The east west solar array helps spread generation across more of the day rather than concentrating production around midday.

For an off grid property, this can be useful because household and workshop loads rarely occur at one fixed time.

Extending useful solar production across the morning and afternoon can reduce the amount of energy that needs to move through the battery bank during daylight hours.

The Role of the Victron Inverter Charger

The Victron inverter charger manages the conversion of stored battery energy into usable AC power for the home and workshop.

It also forms part of the charging and backup strategy when generator support is required.

For Chris and Kath, the inverter needed to support a combination of everyday household loads and equipment such as:

• Power tools in the workshop
• Electric oven
• Induction cooktop
• Multiple fridges and freezers
• Bore pump for the property’s water supply

Battery Storage for Day and Night Power

The 48 kWh battery bank provides stored energy for overnight use and periods when solar production is reduced.

Battery sizing is particularly important in a full time off grid home because there is no permanent grid connection available when solar generation falls.

The storage bank needs to work with the solar array so enough energy can be recovered after overnight use and poorer weather.

Living With Off Grid Power

Since installation, Chris and Kath have been able to run the property using the solar, battery and inverter system as their primary source of power.

The system supports normal household loads along with workshop and property equipment without requiring constant generator operation.

During good solar conditions, the battery bank can recharge throughout the day while household loads continue to operate.

Backup Generator Support

The auto start generator provides an additional layer of resilience during extended periods of poor solar production.

Rather than operating as the property’s main energy source, the generator is there to support the battery bank when required.

This approach can reduce routine generator fuel use while still giving the household backup capacity during unusual weather conditions.

Why This System Works in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland

Designing an off grid system for the Sunshine Coast hinterland means accounting for changing weather, periods of cloud cover and varying seasonal energy demand.

This system addresses those requirements through:

• A solar array designed to capture energy across more of the day
• Battery storage sized around household and property requirements
• A Victron inverter charger capable of supporting varied loads
• MPPT solar charging through MidNite equipment
• Automatic generator backup when additional energy is required

Why Custom Off Grid Design Matters

Chris and Kath’s system is a good example of why a stand alone power system should be designed around the property rather than selected from a standard package.

The right system needs to consider:

• How much energy the household uses
• When that energy is used
• Peak workshop and appliance loads
• Available solar space and orientation
• Battery autonomy requirements
• Generator backup strategy
• Future property expansion

Planning an Off Grid System in Regional Queensland

If you are planning to go off grid in the Sunshine Coast, Gympie or another regional Queensland location, the first step is understanding the property’s real energy requirements.

At Stand Alone Power Systems, we design systems around solar generation, battery storage, inverter capacity and backup power as one complete solution.

We work with established equipment from manufacturers such as Victron, Selectronic, AERL and MidNite depending on the requirements of the installation.

Talk to Us About Your Off Grid Property

If you are considering a stand alone solar system for a home, workshop, rural property or lifestyle block, get in touch with us to discuss the site and your energy requirements.

We can assess expected loads, battery autonomy, solar generation and generator requirements to design a system around the way you want to live and work.