I've been pondering this myself for a similar setup in my van conversion, so keen to hear what others think.
Really depends on your actual power requirements, doesn't it? I'd start by calculating what you're actually running — a few lights and a laptop charger is wildly different from a space heater and multiple devices.
For something modest (LED lighting, occasional charging, maybe a small fan), a small 100-200W panel with a basic MPPT controller and battery buffer might be sufficient and relatively straightforward. I've seen folks use a Victron SmartSolar controller paired with LiFePO4 storage, which works brilliantly for remote setups.
The "overkill" question really hinges on:
- Distance from the house — trenching cable costs add up, so solar might actually be cheaper than running grid supply
- Your consumption patterns — seasonal variation matters. Winter sun in the UK is pretty grim
- Maintenance tolerance — batteries need monitoring, panels need cleaning
- Budget flexibility — grid connection might be simpler upfront, but solar feels more satisfying
I'd say if you're more than 30-40 metres from your house supply, solar becomes genuinely cost-competitive. Under that, grid extension might be the pragmatic choice.
What's your rough power budget? And are you looking at year-round use or seasonal? That'll probably determine whether it's sensible or excessive.
Also curious whether anyone's done this and regretted it — or the opposite?