Hola from Renacer McGlynn! We’re the McGlynn family, and since buying our off-grid farm in Andalusia, Spain, in September 2024, we’ve been on a mission to bring electricity to our little slice of paradise. It’s been a whirlwind seven months of surprises, steep quotes, and a lot of Googling—but we’ve finally found an affordable solar solution, and we’re sharing it all in our latest YouTube video!
The Off-Grid Challenge
When we bought this farm, we knew it was disconnected from the grid. What we didn’t expect? The wooden poles that once carried power are now illegal under Spanish law, and the meter’s long gone. Reconnecting to mains power? A jaw-dropping €17,000 quote—plus monthly bills. Solar seemed like the dream, but the first quote we got was over €11,000 for a system we didn’t even need. We’ve been getting by with our Bluetti AC200 Max and a 2,800W petrol generator, but we craved the luxury of lights and a fridge.
The Journey to Solar
We explored every option. DIY solar kits tempted us at €6,000, but with kids in the mix, we didn’t trust ourselves with the wiring. Mains quotes hovered around €15,000–€17,000 (excluding tractor rentals for trenches!), and even solar generators left us unsure. Then, a local Facebook group led us to a game-changer: a solar company offering a 5kW Victron system with new batteries and roof panels for just €6,500—fully installed, with our generator as a backup. It’s expandable too, perfect for future ground arrays as our farm grows.
Watch Our Story Unfold
In our new video, “Our Off-Grid Solar Solution: Beating High Costs on Our Spanish Farm!”, we spill all the details—our sticker-shock moments, how we’ve survived off-grid, and why this solar setup is our ticket to self-sufficient living. Installation’s set for June 2, 2025, and we’re moving from the UK to Spain on May 16, 2025—ferry booked and all! Want to see how we prep the farm and make the leap? Check out the video below:
Our Off-Grid Solar Solution: Powering Our Spanish Farm for Less!
Why This Matters
For us, this isn’t just about power—it’s about building a sustainable future in Andalusia. From flipping a light switch for the kids to running a fridge for summer harvests, these “little luxuries” mean everything. We’re starting small, but with plans to expand, this is step one toward our off-grid dream.
Join Us on the Journey
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the full adventure—solar prep, the 30-hour Portsmouth-to-Santander ferry with two kids, and flipping the switch in June. Got off-grid tips or ferry survival hacks? Drop them in the video comments—we’d love to hear from you!
