Tobias runs an agroecology farm and a natural building collective in the mountains of El Salvador. He specializes in earthen construction methods and uses permaculture design methods to integrate structures into the sustainability of the landscape.
Off-grid homes used to be synonymous with antiquated cabins where “rustic” would be a friendly descriptive term; think pit toilets and candles, and you get the picture. Today, however, there is a growing segment of the population that has become interested in increasing their individual autonomy and developing a sense of independence from the electrical grid.
Several companies have recently begun designing and fabricating off-grid prefab homes that provide the independence and resiliency you crave. They also integrate elements of comfort and architectural design that bring a touch of elegance and refinement. The five off grid prefab homes reviewed below can provide for all of your energy needs, are significantly less expensive than other homes on the market, and will drastically reduce the carbon emissions associated with your lifestyle.
The ZeroHouse designed by Specht architects includes a full kitchen, a bath and can easily house four adults comfortably. However, what sets this home apart from others is that it needs absolutely no external connections to operate fully. A series of solar panels run perpendicular to the roof to autonomously power the home.
A digester underneath the house takes waste from your bathrooms and turns it into finished compost that can be applied to your fruit trees around your home. The rainwater collection and storage system will allow you to have your own store of fresh, potable water without depending on municipal water systems. The $350,000 price tag for the ZeroHouse might seem somewhat excessive. Still, you can plan to recuperate much of that upfront cost through savings on your electrical and other utility bills over the year.
For people on a budget, Ark Shelter offers a unique eco-cabin that is prefabricated and comes with complete off-grid possibilities. The ecological shelter designed by Ark collects rainwater and uses wind power for electricity production. While the cabin itself might not look very exciting, the $50,000 asking price is. The price includes transportation and installation, is certainly appealing for people wanting to set up a homestead virtually anywhere you can imagine.
Minim Homes offer another great option for off-grid prefab homes. Their microhouse 2.0. It is only 264 square feet, but the large windows and glass door will flood the house with light making it feel larger than what it really is. These homes come with either off-grid or on-grid options. The $70,000 price tag includes shipping as well, making this home extremely affordable. The home comes with a pullout bed and a 10-foot kitchen galley to make the home feel more spacious and livable.
While the Casa Ti designed by Green Modern Kits won´t necessarily “wow” anyone for its external appearance, this home is ultra-functional. It is one of the lowest-priced prefab off-grid homes on the market. Starting at just $30,000 for the unfinished shell, you can get 1,200 square feet of livable space powered by both passive and active solar energy. This home includes a wood stove to help limit your dependence on fossil fuel-powered heating systems.
The Slovak company EcoCapsule is just now beginning to offer their uniquely designed ecocapsules around the world. These futuristic-looking homes are definitely minimalist at under 100 square feet. They are completely off-grid and sustainable. They generate their own electricity through solar and wind power and also collects and stores rainwater in two storage tanks incorporated into the home design. These homes can easily be placed anywhere and offer you a completely powered off-grid home. At just under 80,000 Euros, they are also reasonably priced.
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