Small systems are very popular in Finland for summer cottages etc. These cottages are only used, naturally, during the summer when in Finland there is sun all day and most of the 'night' ;-)

Out on the island in the Finnish archipelago, by choice we enjoy a primitive life for a few weeks with lavvies in the woods, wood fired saunas for washing, and outdoor cooking whenever possible etc. But we also have a solar panel for lighting at night, radios (weather reports), charging digital cameras, blogging and other not so primitive devices. We do have fridges, but they work better on gas cylinders which we bring in on the boat.

You can't be me, I'm taken