Victron doesn’t sell one boxed Victron off-grid solar kit for every situation. Instead, you combine parts that talk to each other. That’s more planning, but it means you buy only what you need and can grow the system later. Below are three parts lists: a starter kit, a mid-range build and a full system, each built from Victron’s own datasheet figures. Prices change often, so check current prices before you buy.
Victron Off-Grid Solar Kit: Three Tiers
| Part | Starter (shed, trailer) | Mid-range (van, tiny cabin) | Full system (cabin, home backup) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery voltage | 12V | 12V or 24V | 48V |
| Solar controller | SmartSolar 75/15 or 100/20 | SmartSolar 100/50 | SmartSolar 150/35 or larger |
| Typical PV | 200–290W | 400–700W at 12V | 2kW+ |
| Inverter | None, or Phoenix VE.Direct 12/375–12/800 | Phoenix VE.Direct 12/1200 | MultiPlus-II 48/3000 or 48/5000 |
| Monitoring | MPPT app only | SmartShunt | SmartShunt + Cerbo GX |
| Distribution | Fuse block | Fuse block or Lynx | Lynx Distributor |
| Shore/ | None | Blue Smart IP22 | Built into the MultiPlus-II |
PV figures are Victron’s nominal ratings at 12V from the SmartSolar datasheets; the 150/35 rates 2,000W at 48V.
Starter Kit
For lights, a fan, phone charging and a small 12V fridge. The SmartSolar 75/15 and 100/20 have a load output that can switch DC loads off at low voltage. That spares you a separate low-voltage disconnect. If you need occasional 120V, the Phoenix VE.Direct 12/375 lists 375W continuous and a 1–2W ECO-mode draw.
Mid-Range Build
For a van or a weekend cabin with a 100–300Ah battery. The 100/50 handles 700W nominal at 12V. Add a SmartShunt for true state of charge, and a Phoenix 12/1200 for a laptop, a blender or power tools up to 1,200W continuous.
Full System
For a cabin with real AC loads. A 48V MultiPlus-II gives 2,400W (48/3000) or 4,000W (48/5000) continuous, has a built-in generator charger and transfer switch, and can run in parallel or split phase later. A Cerbo GX brings everything into one dashboard and VRM.
Common Budget Mistakes
- Skipping the shunt. Voltage-based gauges mislead with lithium.
- Oversizing the inverter. Bigger inverters draw more at idle: 11W for the Phoenix 12/1200 versus 20W for the Phoenix 12/3000 120V.
- Wrong voltage. Changing from 12V to 48V later means replacing the inverter and charger.
See the Victron SmartSolar range and Phoenix VE.Direct inverters on Victron’s website.
Worked Example: The Starter Kit for a Shed or Small Trailer
Daily loads: LED lights 20W for 4 hours, a fan 30W for 4 hours and a 12V compressor fridge averaging 40W (estimates), so about 80 + 120 + 960 ≈ 1,160Wh a day. That’s more than a 100Ah 12V lithium battery’s 1,280Wh can cover for long without sun, so the starter kit suits lighter use, or a fridge only in summer. Without the fridge, daily use is 200Wh, and a 100/20 with 290W of panels refills it in a couple of hours of good sun.
Worked Example: The Mid-Range Van or Tiny Cabin
| Part | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 200–300Ah 12V lithium | 2,560–3,840Wh |
| Solar | 600W on a SmartSolar 100/50 | Within its 700W nominal at 12V |
| Inverter | Phoenix VE.Direct 12/1200 | 1,200W continuous, 11W idle |
| Monitor | SmartShunt 500A | True state of charge |
| Shore charger | Blue Smart IP22 12/30 | Campground top-ups |
On a good summer day, 600W of panels might produce 2,000–2,500Wh (estimate), enough to cover a fridge, laptop, lights and occasional blender or power-tool use.
Worked Example: The Full Cabin System on 48V
A cabin using about 6kWh a day, with a washing machine, well pump and induction cooking (estimate):
- Battery: around 10–15kWh of 48V lithium for about two days of autonomy.
- Solar: 3–4kW split across two SmartSolar 150/45 or a larger 250V model, depending on string voltages.
- Inverter-charger: MultiPlus-II 48/5000 with 4,000W continuous for the pump and cooktop.
- Backup: a generator on the MultiPlus-II’s AC input, auto-started by the Cerbo GX.
- Distribution: Lynx Distributor with fused circuits.
At 48V, the 5,000VA inverter draws only around 90A at full output (4,000W ÷ 48V ÷ 0.93, estimate), so cables and fuses stay manageable.
Choosing System Voltage
| Inverter size | Suggested battery voltage |
|---|---|
| Up to about 1,200W | 12V |
| 1,200–3,000W | 12V or 24V |
| 3,000W and up | 24V or 48V |
Common rule of thumb. Higher voltage keeps current lower, which means thinner cables, smaller fuses and less voltage drop.
Growing the System Later
Victron parts are designed to expand. You can add another SmartSolar MPPT with its own array, add batteries in parallel (following the battery maker’s rules), or add a second MultiPlus-II in parallel or split-phase. A Cerbo GX added later picks up the existing VE.Direct and VE.Bus devices and brings them into one VRM dashboard.
Budget Tips That Don’t Cut Corners
- Start with the right voltage. It’s cheaper to choose 24V or 48V now than to replace an inverter later.
- Buy the SmartShunt early. Knowing your real daily use helps you size the next purchase correctly.
- Use Bluetooth before a GX device. VictronConnect on a phone covers monitoring for small systems; add a Cerbo GX when you want one dashboard and remote access.
- Spend on cables and fuses. Correctly sized cable and fusing protect the rest of the investment.
Where Prices Fit
Starter kits built around a 75/15 or 100/20 controller and a small battery are the most affordable entry point. Mid-range builds add the SmartShunt and a larger controller and inverter. Full systems are mainly priced by the battery and the inverter-charger. Prices change often, so check current listings when you plan.
FAQ
Does Victron sell complete kits?
The EasySolar-II GX combines an inverter-charger, MPPT and GX device in one unit, but it’s a 230V product.
Can I start small and expand?
Yes. Add MPPTs, batteries or a parallel MultiPlus-II later.
Do I need lithium?
No. Victron controllers and chargers support lead-acid too.
What’s the first part to buy?
Choose the battery voltage and battery first, since every other part is sized to them.
Can I mix lead-acid and lithium?
Batteries in one bank should be the same type, size and age. Pick one chemistry and set every charger to suit it.
Sources: Victron SmartSolar MPPT, Phoenix VE.Direct 120V, Phoenix 3000VA 120V, MultiPlus-II 120V and EasySolar-II GX datasheets (victronenergy.com, accessed Oct 2026); aBuckLife, “Building The Ultimate BUDGET Off Grid Victron System”.
Related: BougeRV Arch Pro 200W Flexible Solar Panel Review, LiTime 12V 50Ah LiFePO4 Battery Review, EcoFlow Delta 3 Max Solar Setup, plus the Victron Energy Guide