Solar is not just a panel decision.

For tiny home, modular living, and off-grid setup projects, solar needs to be considered as part of the whole system: roof shape, panel location, battery storage, inverter placement, power usage, installation pathway, future expansion, and site access.

A roof design can limit panel placement. Appliance choices can affect power demand. A battery and inverter location can affect access, ventilation, storage, and future maintenance. A site may need roof-mounted solar, ground-mounted solar, a panel trailer, generator backup, or a staged expansion plan.

FM DIRECT helps buyers think through these questions before the project is locked in.

Built from CABO Solana

CABO Solana tested a real off-grid setup as part of the Project CABO proof build.

That process showed how power decisions connect to the home, the site, the supplier, the installation pathway, and the way the home is actually used after placement.

The Solana: Aftermath stage records the early site systems that made the home workable after delivery, including power, access, grey water, and practical liveability decisions.

What to consider before choosing solar

FM DIRECT can help structure solar and off-grid discussions around:

• Intended daily power use
• Roof shape and available panel space
• Solar panel placement
• Battery storage needs
• Inverter and control equipment location
• Generator backup
• Installation access
• Ground-mounted or trailer-mounted options
• Future solar expansion
• Supplier and installer pathways
• Site conditions and regional availability

Installer and local sourcing pathways

Melbourne and regional Victorian installer pathway

For Melbourne, Geelong, the Surf Coast, and surrounding Victorian regions, FM DIRECT may be able to discuss installer pathways connected to Remy’s Solar Solutions, subject to project location, system requirements, availability, and suitability.

Remy’s Solar Solutions was involved in the CABO Solana solar installation pathway and is part of the practical supplier and installer learning behind FM DIRECT.

For buyers outside this service area, FM DIRECT can help explore whether a suitable installer or supplier-supported pathway may be available for the project location.

FM DIRECT does not replace qualified electricians, solar installers, engineers, certifiers, planners, or council advice.

Solar supplier pathway

Sky Energy supplied the solar and off-grid power solution used for CABO Solana.

FM DIRECT may discuss solar and off-grid pathways connected to the lessons learned through CABO Solana, including system sizing, power planning, installation considerations, and future expansion.

Specific supplier availability, pricing, installation options, and project suitability should be discussed based on the buyer’s location and project requirements.

Start with your power needs

Before choosing a solar setup, buyers should understand what the home needs to run, where the system can be installed, how the site will be accessed, and whether the setup needs to expand later.

FM DIRECT starts with those practical questions first.

How this connects to CABO Solana

Real-world proof

CABO Solana gives FM DIRECT a working reference point for solar and off-grid planning.

The system was not selected in isolation. It had to work with the roof, site, battery setup, inverter location, daily power needs, installation access, and later expansion planning.

From proof to pathway

FM DIRECT uses those lessons to help buyers ask better solar and off-grid questions before they commit to a build, supplier, installer, or site setup.