Simple Systems
Will Prowse on his YouTube channel does a great job of documenting variou simple systems that can be built very quickly and easily on any number of "carts," from handtrucks to rolling carts purchased very affordably from common suppliers like Harbor Freight.
In his most recent video (at the time of this writing June 2025- there has been an evolution over the years) he documents a 5000w system with a 48v 100ah server rack battery and up to 14 panels more or less depending on the actual panel specification.
5kw System starting at $2,100 (without panels or mounts) with 100 ah, 48V
Suitable for a small cabin, RV, or boat (run mini-splits, refrigeration, lights, backup etc.)
Here's a link the video: Will Prowse 5kw System
Official Parts List to Build Your Own (affiliate links):
5000W All-in-one: (controller & inverter) $799 https://amzn.to/467vtr4
48V Server Rack Battery 100AH: $849 https://amzn.to/460yTMk
or
48V DIY Box with 200 a JK BMS ($750)
with 280 AH (14.3kWh) batteries ($1,2,99)
with 306 AH (15.6kWh) battiers ($1,599),
with 314 AH (16.1kWh) batteries ($2,200)
Battery Cables: $22.99 https://amzn.to/4lYg4ze
Hand Truck ($69) : https://www.harborfreight.com/materia...
Solar Panel Disconnect Switch: $30 https://amzn.to/4mbwapy
AC Input Cord: ($16) https://amzn.to/3V46tMn
Surge Strip for AC Output: ($50) https://amzn.to/4mkDqQ1
AC Receptacle: ($6) https://amzn.to/3Vz5yUh
One Gang Electrical Box for Outlets: ($13) https://amzn.to/4lWtSu5
80A Outlet Box (wiring needs to be upgraded if you want to use it at max output): ($85) https://amzn.to/4mRbVyv
MC4 Extension cables for solar panel wires: ($33) https://amzn.to/3I6DnZS
Have a small solar array? Use a step-up solar charge controller ($102): https://renogy.sjv.io/AoQaND
Step Down Converter for 12V Loads: ($18) https://amzn.to/4nfOHle
Solar Panels (Will Prowse recommended):https://www.mobile-solarpower.com/300...
I find the best place to find solar panels cheap is your local FB market place where you can frequently get 200W used as cheap as $20 each.
At normal operating voltage with Vmp = 28 and a turn on voltage of 200 you'd need a minimum of 7 panels connected in series and at a maximum of 500V and Voc = 33V you'd have the maximum number of panels you could use (500/33) of 14 panels to stay on the safe side. Even if you assume a cost of $40/panels, that gives us a range of between $280 and $560 for panels.
To go more in detail about about panels, you can visit these links:
All of this is pretty standard components, but the one big variabe which he sort of explains in the video but not on the website particular well is the part with solar panels and how many you need, both the minimum and the maximum number of them.
These question are addressed at this link: How to figure out the Solar Panels for your System
Solar Panel Ground Mount Racking (Will Prowse recommended): https://www.mobile-solarpower.com/gro...
IntegraRack Ground Mounts IR-30 These are the ones I recommend for ease of use and installation
Total Cost (without batteries, panels, or mounts); = $1,251
Total Cost with panels (not including batteries or mounts = $1,531-$1,811
Total cost with batteries (not including panels and mounts):
With 100 AH of batteries = $2,100
with 280 AH of batteries = $2,550
with 306 AH of batteries = $2,850
with 314 AH of batteries = $3,451
Total cost with batteries and panels (not including mounts):
100 AH = $2,380 to $2,660
280 AH = $2,830 to $3,110
306 AH = $3,130 to $3,410
314 AH = $3,731 to $4,011
There are so many different ways to mount things that it can't really be covered here. Basically for this minimal set up with 7 panels you'd need about six or seven of the IR-30 mounts at about $114 each so about $798.
Hand Trucks and Carts
You can fit these systems on a variety of hand trucks and heavy duty carts.
Heavy Duty Carts: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/groundwork-1-400-lb-capacity-heavy-duty-steel-utility-cart
Pushcart Dolly: https://amzn.to/46gsVrU
Steel Garden Cart: https://amzn.to/46eKbhf
Hand Truck: https://www.harborfreight.com/material-handling/hand-trucks-carts-dollies/hand-platform-trucks/800-lb-capacity-hand-truck-58294.html