Off-grid electricity is getting on the market. 6.5 gigawatts of off-grid electricity were produced in 2017. That was enough power for more than 130 million people throughout the world.
Off-grid solar power is a resource every American can use. Yet you need to be smart about how you generate and use it.
What exactly is an off-grid solar system? What are the tools that go into it? How expensive can a system be, and how can you reduce your expenses?
Answer these questions and you can build the right solar power system for yourself. Here is your quick guide.
The Essentials of off-Grid Solar
Most solar power systems remain connected to an electric grid. This allows homeowners to receive power at night or when their panels are not working. They can also send excess power to the grid and receive money for it.
An off-grid solar system is a solar power system that is not connected to the grid in any way. All of the tools for generating, storing, and transmitting power are located on-site.
Some buildings receive all of their power from off-grid technology, while others use off-grid technology for particular tasks. They may install a system to charge appliances. Nearly all off-grid systems lie in rural areas with limited access to the grid.
Equipment
As with conventional systems, off-grid systems require solar panels. The panels are not substantially different from on-grid panels. They can be larger so the system produces more power.
Batteries are very important. The system needs to be able to store electricity for nighttime use. Any off-grid solar power system needs multiple batteries of substantial size.
The system also needs a solar inverter and a charge controller. The controller can send power into a battery or into the home.
A person can choose to set up a DIY off-grid solar system. But they can follow an off-grid solar guide or buy an off-grid solar kit to set up their equipment.
Cost
“Is it worth it?” is the biggest question that animates discussion on off-grid systems. The answer depends on several factors.
The batteries are the major expense in the system. The bigger the batteries, the more expensive the whole system will be. You can buy glass mat batteries to keep your costs down, but you may still pay thousands of dollars for them.
The smaller the system, the cheaper it is. A system for appliance charging can cost less than $100. Yet this system will not supply enough power for any other purpose.
You may need a backup generator in case of a malfunction in your system. This can be costly, especially compared to the expense of connections to the electric grid.
What Goes Into an off-Grid Solar System
An off-grid solar system is any solar power system that lacks a grid connection. This means that a person cannot get power from the grid when their panels are shut off. Yet it makes a residence independent and carbon-free.
Off-grid systems require batteries and large panels. A person can install this equipment themselves for a DIY project.
But a system can be very expensive. One battery can cost thousands of dollars, and multiple batteries are needed.
An off-grid system is not your only renewable energy option. Find out more by following our coverage.