Off-grid planning guide · 24 September 2026
Planning power for an
off-grid mobile crib room.
Solar and battery specifications matter, but the useful question is whether the complete setup matches your crew's daily use. Here's what to work through before ordering a remote-site facility.
01 — Daily demand
Start with the equipment crews actually use.
Write down the appliances and systems you expect to run: air conditioning, refrigeration, lighting, hot water equipment, kitchen appliances, laptops, communications and security. Ask how many may run together during meal breaks or shift changes. An equipment list is more useful than a solar panel number on its own.
Record each item's rated power and expected operating hours, then have the supplier assess daily energy demand and simultaneous peak demand. A short burst from a kitchen appliance and overnight refrigeration affect the system differently. Any new equipment added later can change the result.
02 — Generation and storage
Understand what solar and batteries each contribute.
Solar panels generate power when conditions allow. Batteries store energy for low-sun periods and after dark. The Site Mate Series 7 Off-Grid has an 8 kW off-grid power system: 1.2 kW of solar charges two 314 Ah 24 V lithium batteries, which feed an 8 kVA inverter. These are equipment specifications, not a promise of uninterrupted running time.
Actual output depends on season, weather, shade, panel condition and the facility's load. Ask the supplier to model the expected site location and operating pattern, including consecutive poor-solar days. Do not infer usable battery energy from the amp-hour figure without confirming system design and operating limits.
03 — Backup plan
Decide when the generator will be needed.
The Series 7 Off-Grid includes a 4.5 kVA diesel backup generator with a 100 L diesel tank. It gives the site another source of power when solar generation and stored energy do not meet demand. Its use, fuel consumption and running time still depend on the loads and conditions.
For remote projects, nominate who checks fuel, performs routine inspections and responds to faults. Confirm generator placement, access, noise considerations and any site rules during mobilisation planning. The backup system is most useful when its operation and servicing responsibilities are clear.
04 — Site conditions
Tell the supplier where and when the unit will operate.
A shaded winter site and an exposed summer site may need different operating assumptions. Share the project location, expected months of use, shift hours, crew count, likely shade, access and any existing electrical connection. Discuss the air-conditioning load if the facility will be occupied through hot afternoons.
Off-grid power is only one part of a working facility. Plan fresh water, wastewater, transport, siting and routine maintenance with the same care. Our mobile crib room buying guide covers those broader checks.
05 — Configuration
Match the whole unit to the job.
Start with how the space will be used: meal breaks, meetings, administration or a combination. Review the Series 7 floor plan against crew numbers and equipment before deciding on power needs. If the project needs a different size, interior configuration or an accommodation unit, describe the use case so a suitable custom design can be discussed and quoted.
Send Site Mate the equipment list, project location, deployment dates and preferred purchase or long-term hire pathway. That gives the team a practical basis for discussing the configuration and off-grid operating assumptions.
Plan your remote facility
Tell us how your site will use power.
Share the location, crew numbers, appliances and operating hours. We'll discuss the appropriate Site Mate configuration.