Off Grid Solar Power System to Survive Winter – Life on Our Remote Island

*MY WILD HOLM S4 Ep13* — Building a Power System to Survive Winter – Life on Our Remote Island

Building an off-grid power system that can survive a Canadian winter isn’t just about solar panels — it’s about protecting what matters most when the temperature drops and help is days away. On our remote wilderness island in British Columbia, we’re laying the groundwork for a power system designed to function year-round, even when winter hits hard.

In this episode, Ryan begins clearing land for a buried electrical control bunker that will house our lithium iron phosphate batteries safely below the frost line.

Along the way, there are boat runs, forgotten fuel, sketchy barge ramps, chainsaws, root balls, and a lot of careful planning and HARD WORK. We walk through why batteries need protection from cold, how underground storage works, and what it really takes to build resilient off-grid infrastructure from scratch.

This isn’t a polished install — it’s the real work behind making off-grid life possible.

*CHAPTERS*
00:00 – *We bought a Remote Wilderness Island*
Our story of buying the island sight unseen and starting our homestead journey.

05:16 – *The Forgotten Fuel Problem*
The romantic boat departure… instantly derailed by “I need the gas.”

12:06 – *Clearing Land for the Battery Bunker Site*
Tree marking, moving materials, chainsawing, and making room for traffic.

14:36 – *Mission Control: How the Off Grid Power System Will Work*
Solar → batteries → inverters → distribution boxes across the island.

17:23 – *Moving Wires & Building a Road Bed*
Temporary wire protection and adding sand so the work can continue in rain.

20:54 – *Progress Check: Chainsaw Work & Debris Clearing*
40% done-ish, big trees still to drop, and yarding out the mess.

24:01 – *Root Balls, Clean Burn Piles & Efficiency*
Pepper tosses root balls to shake off soil before burning.

30:22 – *Why Batteries Need Winter Protection*
The key explanation: lithium batteries can’t be charged below freezing.

*START FROM THE BEGINNING*
If you’re new here, this project didn’t start today. From buying a remote island sight unseen to building every system ourselves, each season builds on the last. You can binge the full story from Season 1 onward and see how this off-grid homestead has taken shape, step by step.

*JOIN THE CONVERSATION*
Would you bury your batteries to survive winter? How would you protect an off-grid power system where temperatures drop to –40°C? Drop your thoughts below — your experience might help someone planning their own remote build.

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*RESOURCES & LINKS*
Channel Trailer: https://youtu.be/BTFg5IVBInY
All Playlists: https://www.youtube.com/@mywildholm/playlists

Season 1: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRNc5Cuna4NFEDRAXuqZAPJLVr-F3PyCi
Season 2: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRNc5Cuna4NG8hwCOb5AdqSDinFZ3mL9Q
Season 3: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRNc5Cuna4NGTwZZgQ728jfyywYs6mjig
Season 4: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRNc5Cuna4NEtre5rypLAgmXTKHO4ZDj4

*TAGS*
#offgridpowersystem #offgridlife #remoteislandhomestead #offgridlivingcanada #offgridsolarpower #winteroffgridpower #batterybunker #selfreliance #offgridcabin #tinycabin #cabinlife #homesteadingcanada