Off-grid solar & battery in Dorset
Rural homes, barns, farms, campsites and events fields: off-grid solar, battery and generator/ATS systems that often cost less than a new grid connection, and never drop the power.
- MCS & NAPIT certified
- RECC registered
- £2m public liability
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What off-grid solar is, and who it's for
Full energy independence, for properties the grid forgot
Off-grid solar and battery, with an optional generator via an automatic transfer switch, is an alternative to an expensive or non-existent grid connection. It suits rural homes with no or costly mains, barns, farms, campsites and glamping sites, warehouses, and events fields. Every system is designed around your actual load, not a template kit.
Off-grid or connect to the grid? We'll tell you straight
The honest decision, before you spend a penny.
A cheap grid connection exists
If mains is affordable and nearby, grid-tied solar and battery is usually the better call. We'll say so.
Mains is absent or expensive
Rural sites, long driveways and remote fields often face £70k–£150k grid-connection quotes. This is where off-grid earns its keep.
You need resilience, not just power
A generator with an automatic transfer switch means the power never really drops, even through a grey British winter.
Your site is seasonal or variable
Campsites, glamping and events fields have very different load profiles to a house, sizing starts from your actual usage.
The arriving money question
Often cheaper than a grid connection, here's the maths
We frame the economics against a real grid-connection quote, so you can see the comparison that actually matters.
New grid connection
£70k–£150k+
Real quotes seen for semi-remote / long-driveway / three-phase (~60kW) sites.
Off-grid solar + battery + ATS
Fully requirement-dependent
Sized to your load, from a campsite's ~5kW to a full EV/caravan hookup, with generator backup for resilience, no export, no grid fees.
Real example: Max Events, a Dorchester events and glamping site, was quoted £150k+ for a grid connection. We designed a ~£70k off-grid solar, battery and generator/ATS system for their specific load instead, projected by the customer to save over £1,000,000 in diesel over the system's life. Your own figure depends entirely on your site.
Get my off-grid numbersWhat actually goes into a proper off-grid system
Requirement-first design, from a campsite's ~5kW to a full EV/caravan hookup.
Oversized panels
Panels are deliberately oversized to cover the worst winter week, not an average day.
Battery bank sized for the worst week
HV battery racks, expandable, sized so the system carries you through a grey January. No export.
Generator + ATS as an alternative
Where oversizing the battery isn't cost-effective, a generator with an automatic transfer switch fills the gap instead.
Off-grid inverters
Sunsynk off-grid inverters for commercial and off-grid racks, built for standalone operation, not grid export.
Sized from your existing generator
We size a new system from your existing generator's kWh usage, then oversize for headroom.
Requirement-dependent scale
A campsite might need ~5kW. A full EV/caravan hookup site needs considerably more. Every quote starts from your real requirement.
Will it actually keep the power on?
Power that never drops, even in a grey January
The engineering behind an off-grid system that actually keeps running.
Solar charges the battery
Oversized panels keep the battery bank topped up through the day, sized for the worst winter week.
Generator kicks in automatically
If the battery drops to around 12%, the generator auto-starts. No manual intervention needed.
Automatic transfer at 10%
The automatic transfer switch hands over automatically at around 10% battery. The power never really drops.
This is exactly how the Max Events off-grid system in Dorchester is designed: generator auto-kick-in at 12% battery, an automatic transfer at 10%. It's the reason a nervous off-grid buyer can trust the lights stay on.
A real off-grid job
Max Events, Dorchester: £150k grid quote → ~£70k off-grid, a projected £1m of diesel saved
A £150k+ grid-connection quote replaced with a ~£70k off-grid system: 120× DMEGC 450W panels, two Sunsynk 30kW off-grid inverters, and 12× 5.12kWh batteries across two expandable racks, generating around 44,000kWh a year. The generator auto-kicks-in at 12% battery and transfers over without a break at 10%. Roof work was completed in 3 days. Projected to save over £1,000,000 in diesel over the system's life.
Accredited, insured, and warranty-backed
Real Google reviews.
5.0
Adam Khodabaccus
We recently had solar panels and battery storage installed at our property in Poole by New Gen Renewables, and I couldn't be more impressed with the service we received. From the very start, the team were incredibly helpful, knowledgeable, and professional. They took the time to explain everything clearly and made the whole process feel smooth and stress-free. We're already seeing the benefits of going solar.
Ben Harrison
Really good experience with New Gen Renewables from start to finish. Had solar panels fitted and the lads were spot on- turned up on time, worked hard, and got everything done to a high standard. Easy to deal with, no messing about, and explained everything properly without trying to oversell anything.
Ted Hadley
I had a 3.5kw solar installation in February 2025, we are extremely satisfied with the system that was recommended by New Gen. The installation was completed within a day, the team were professional and courteous. My neighbour saw the work that I've had done and has gone and done it too.
How we design and build an off-grid system, start to finish
Free off-grid assessment
We look at your site, existing generator usage (if any) and requirement, and design around it. Never a template kit.
System design
Panels, battery bank and (where it makes sense) a generator/ATS are sized to your worst-week load.
Install
Roof and electrical work is planned to minimise disruption. On our Max Events off-grid job in Dorchester, the roof work was completed in 3 days.
Handover & monitoring
You're shown how the system performs and how the automatic transfer switch behaves, so there are no surprises.
How much does an off-grid solar system cost, and is it cheaper than a grid connection?
Grid-connection quotes for remote or long-driveway sites are commonly £70k–£150k+. Off-grid solar, battery and generator/ATS is often cheaper. Our Max Events job in Dorchester replaced a £150k+ grid quote with a ~£70k off-grid system. Your exact cost is confirmed at a free assessment.
What size system do I need to go fully off-grid?
It's entirely requirement-dependent: a campsite might need around 5kW, while a full EV/caravan hookup site needs considerably more. We size a new system from your existing generator's kWh usage, then oversize for headroom and the worst winter week.
Will it actually keep the power on all year, through a grey British winter?
Yes. Panels and battery are sized for the worst winter week, and where that isn't cost-effective, a generator with an automatic transfer switch fills the gap. On our Max Events off-grid system in Dorchester, the generator auto-starts at 12% battery and transfers over cleanly at 10%. The power never really drops.
Is it legal to live off-grid in the UK?
Yes, living off-grid is legal in the UK, though building regulations and planning permission may apply depending on your project. We'll flag anything relevant at assessment.
Is off-grid right for my property, or should I connect to the grid?
If a cheap grid connection is available, grid-tied solar and battery is usually the better call. We'll tell you honestly. Off-grid suits rural homes with no or expensive mains, barns, farms, campsites, glamping sites and events fields.
Thinking off-grid? Let's talk it through, no pressure
Residential or commercial/agricultural, honest advice from a team with real off-grid experience.