Planning a fully off-grid cabin — where to start?

The live-in phase everyone's emphasising is dead right, but I'd add: instrument it properly from day one. Log your consumption patterns with a basic monitor—I use a Victron BMV-712 in my motorhome setup. You'll spot seasonal peaks and inefficiencies you'd never predict on paper. That data becomes your design blueprint and saves thousands on oversizing batteries or solar.

I'd second the instrumentation point @SimonKelly raises—absolutely critical. Get a Victron GX device logging everything from day one: consumption patterns, generation curves, battery State of Charge. Shepherd's huts are thermally dire, so you'll want six months of data before sizing anything properly. The Cotswolds winter will humiliate an undersized system, trust me on that.

Spot on about logging, @PaulCross. I'd add—don't overthink the initial spec. Start undersized if anything. Lived in a shepherd's hut for two winters before upgrading; realised my actual consumption was half what I'd guessed. A Victron BMV-712 Smart monitor costs peanuts and saves you grand in unnecessary kit down the line.

Cheers all for the solid advice. @NotAnElectrician80, one thing I'd emphasise: get your building regs sorted early—Cotswolds planning can be finicky. Also, before splashing out on kit, spend a winter there observing patterns. Your actual usage will surprise you. Beats guessing on paper every time.

Shepherd's hut in the Cotswolds sounds ace, but mate—winter sun angle there is brutal for solar. Go battery-first, solar-second, or you'll be running a diesel genny by February like everyone else who didn't plan ahead. A Victron MPPT won't save you from reality.

Shepherd's huts are brilliant for this. Honestly, start by mapping your actual consumption—I made the mistake of guessing mine and ended up massively oversized. Once you know what you're drawing, battery sizing becomes obvious. @T5Project's right about winter; I'd spec your lithium first, then solar to match. The Cotswolds winter teaches you quick what works.