Homeowners saving 40–60% on solar

How The Off Grid Outpost Works

Five simple steps from your electric bill to solar power — without the turnkey installer markup.

Your Path to Solar Savings

Five straightforward steps. No pushy sales calls. No hidden markups.

Design Your System

Free, 60 seconds

Enter your address and monthly electric bill. Our AI analyzes your roof using satellite imagery, calculates optimal panel placement, and designs a complete system with production estimates.

Review Your Options

$0 or $299-$499

See your personalized design with three equipment tiers: Good, Better, and Best. Compare costs, production, and payback. Optionally upgrade to permit-ready engineering plans with PE stamps.

Shop Equipment

40-60% savings

Buy panels, inverters, and batteries directly from wholesale retailers at the same prices installers pay. Every component is handpicked for quality, warranty, and value.

Get It Installed

Licensed professional

We match you with a vetted, licensed electrician in your area. They handle all electrical work, permitting, and inspection. You get professional installation at labor-only rates.

Power On

Savings start day one

Your system passes inspection, the utility approves your interconnection, and you start generating power. Monitor production from your phone and watch the savings add up.

Traditional Solar vs. The Off Grid Outpost Way

	Turnkey Installer	The Off Grid Outpost
Equipment cost	$1.50-$2.00/W (marked up)	$0.80-$1.20/W (wholesale)
Sales overhead	$0.84/W industry average	$0 (no sales team)
Installation labor	Bundled (hidden cost)	$0.50-$1.00/W (transparent)
Engineering/design	Bundled (hidden cost)	$299-$499 (you choose)
Total for 10kW	$28,000-$35,000	$14,000-$19,000
Total Cost	$28,000-$35,000	$14,000-$19,000
		You save $10,000-$20,000+

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this legal?

Yes. It's like buying a furnace online and hiring a plumber to install it. You're purchasing equipment as a homeowner and hiring a licensed professional for the electrical work. Many states have explicit owner-builder exemptions for solar.

What about equipment warranties?

All equipment comes with full manufacturer warranties — typically 25 years for panels, 10-12 years for inverters, and 10 years for batteries. Warranties cover product defects regardless of who installs them.

Do I need permits?

Yes, and we help with that. Our $299 design package includes permit-ready plans. The $499 package includes PE-stamped engineering drawings that most jurisdictions require. Your installer handles the permit application and inspection scheduling.

What if something goes wrong?

Your electrician carries liability insurance for their work. Equipment is covered by manufacturer warranties. And we stand behind our installer network — if you're not satisfied with your match, we'll find you a new one at no charge.

How long does the whole process take?

Typically 6-10 weeks from design to power-on. The AI design is instant. Equipment ships in 1-2 weeks. Installation takes 1-3 days. Permitting and utility approval vary by location (2-6 weeks).

Can I finance DIY solar?

Yes! Clean Energy Credit Union offers solar loans ($3K-$150K) with no installer requirement. HELOCs are another excellent option. Traditional solar lenders like Mosaic and GoodLeap unfortunately require a licensed installer on the contract.

Ready to See What Solar Costs You?

Free AI design. Real numbers. No sales pitch.

Design My System Free →