Micro-Hydro vs. Solar: What Works Better for Off-Grid Living in Coastal BC?

If you own an off-grid cabin or remote homestead on the BC coast, choosing the right power system is one of the most important decisions you’ll make.

In our coastal environment where sun exposure is hit-or-miss and creeks run down nearly every slope many property owners ask us the same question:

Should I install solar, micro-hydro, or both?

The answer depends entirely on your property. Below, we’ll walk through how solar and micro-hydro systems compare, what each system needs to work properly, and how to figure out what makes the most sense for your site.

Understanding your options

What is a solar power system?

Solar power systems collect energy from the sun using photovoltaic (PV) panels. That energy is stored in batteries for use throughout the day and night. Solar is quiet, reliable, and requires very little maintenance.

However, in coastal BC where cloudy days are common and winters are long sizing your solar system correctly is critical. Under-sizing leads to running out of power when you need it most.

You can read more about that in our guide:
How to Size a Solar System for a Remote Cabin or Homestead

What is a micro-hydro system?

Micro-hydro generates power by capturing the energy of flowing water through a turbine. If your property has a consistent source of moving water, a micro-hydro system can provide a steady supply of electricity 24/7, even in winter.

That makes it a powerful option for off-grid homes where solar alone isn’t enough.

Which system works better in coastal BC?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on your terrain, water access, and exposure to sunlight.

Here’s how they stack up:

Feature	Micro-Hydro	Solar
Output consistency	Steady 24/7 (if flow is consistent)	Variable; only during daylight, weather-dependent
Best environment	Year-round creeks, good elevation drop (head)	Open, south-facing properties with sun exposure
Seasonal challenges	Debris, freezing, reduced summer flow	Low winter output, cloud cover
Maintenance	Turbine and intake maintenance	Minimal (clean panels occasionally)
Permits required	Yes (water license)	Usually no permits required in BC
Cost to install	Moderate to high	Moderate to high

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When is micro-hydro a good fit?

A micro-hydro system is ideal if:

• • You have a year-round creek or stream on your property
  • There’s enough vertical drop (head) to generate pressure
  • You want consistent power production, even at night or during poor weather

How much flow and head do you need?

Power output depends on two things:

• • Flow rate (measured in gallons per minute or litres per second)
  • Vertical drop (head) from intake to turbine

Here’s a basic formula:
Watts = Flow (GPM) × Head (feet) × 0.11

For example:

• • 20 GPM × 50 feet of head × 0.11 = 110 watts
  • That’s about 2.6 kWh per day—often more than a small solar system can provide

Larger flows and higher head = more power. Even modest creeks can produce usable electricity if designed well.

How to improve performance with gravity

You don’t need a roaring river to make micro-hydro work. If you have even a small year-round stream and steep terrain, you can use gravity to increase your head.

This is done by installing a penstock a length of pipe that carries water downhill to the turbine. The longer and steeper the drop, the greater the pressure and output.

To get the most out of your system:

• • Choose a stable intake location that’s easy to access
  • Keep the penstock clear of sharp turns or restrictions
  • Add a settling basin or screened intake to keep out debris

Do I need a permit for micro-hydro?

Yes.  You need a water license to divert and use water for power production in BC. This falls under the Water Sustainability Act.

How to apply:

• Visit the BC Water Authorization Portal:
  https://j200.gov.bc.ca/pub/ams/
• You’ll need to submit:
  • A site plan
  • Water source details
  • Estimated usage
  • Environmental impact information (if applicable)

Most off-grid homeowners apply for a domestic water licence to power their home or cabin. Kingsley Power can guide you through the process as part of your system design.

When solar makes more sense

Not every property has flowing water and some that do may see that water dry up in late summer. In those cases, solar is the better choice.

Solar is ideal if:

• • You have open sky exposure, especially to the south
  • Your property doesn’t have reliable surface water
  • You’re building on Gulf Islands, open ridge lines, or sunlit clearings
  • You want a low-maintenance solution without moving parts

For many homeowners, a solar setup sized correctly with battery storage and a generator backup provides reliable, year-round power. Learn more about our off-grid solar systems and how we design them for BC’s coastal conditions.

What about combining both?

A hybrid system is often the best solution for off-grid homes in coastal environments.

With micro-hydro handling the base load and solar supplementing in summer, you get the best of both worlds:

• • More total power production
  • Smaller required battery bank
  • Less generator use
  • More reliability through all seasons

If your property has both sun and water, a hybrid design can help you stay powered through anything coastal BC throws at you.

Final thoughts: Let your site guide the system

When choosing between micro-hydro and solar, your property will decide what’s possible.

• • If you have a strong year-round creek with 20+ feet of drop, micro-hydro can be a game changer.
  • If your land is dry or shaded but sees good sun, solar is likely the better fit.
  • If you’re not sure or you think you might need both, get a professional assessment.

At Kingsley Power, we design and install off-grid systems built for real life on the BC coast. That includes:

• • Remote cabins and homesteads
  • Island properties with marine-only access
  • First Nations communities and unconnected land parcels
  • Hard-to-reach areas where reliable power matters

Why choose Kingsley Power?

• • We’re a licensed electrical contractor with years of experience designing and installing off-grid power systems across Vancouver Island and the BC coast.
  • We offer solar, battery, and micro-hydro system design, complete with transport, installation, and support.
  • We operate our own 36-foot aluminum catamaran to deliver equipment and materials to islands, remote bays, and marine-only properties.

Whether you’re building your dream cabin or modernizing an existing off-grid setup, we’re here to help.

Proudly Serving Remote and Coastal BC

• • Vancouver Island
  • Gulf Islands
  • Bella Bella and the Central Coast
  • Sunshine Coast
  • Discovery Islands
  • Remote mainland homesteads and First Nations communities

Ready to design a power system that fits your land and lifestyle?

Contact Kingsley Power for a custom evaluation of your site. Whether it’s solar, micro-hydro, or both, we’ll help you build an off-grid system that’s reliable, efficient, and built to last.