The first step in creating our power system was reducing our need of power. The smaller your power system, the less it will cost to build. We have solar panels and batteries that store our power. We use a generator to charge the batteries if there isn't enough sun for a few days. We don't have to run the generator for most of the year, but as the days get shorter in the November-January months we do have to boost the batteries. We have a tool that we use to check on the incoming power and the outgoing power to determine if the batteries are running too low. A quick way to check on the battery level is by looking at the lights in the shed. There is a red light, yellow light, and a green light. Red indicates that they are low and need to be boosted. Yellow red, yellow, or green indicates that the batteries are fine and do not need a charge. If the light is flashing green, that means the batteries are full and are blocking any additional sunlight that's hitting the panels. This is a good time to use excess power for high power needs like making rice or beans in the pressure cooker (I'll make a batch and freeze it for later). During the winter months it is very important to keep the solar panels clear from snow so that you can benefit from any and all sun.