Off-grid solar allows you to obtain all the energy you need from the sun, without the requirement for electricity. It is achievable by installing a solar energy system that pairs with an energy storage system like a solar battery that is located at the point of consumption (your house).
Due to its space requirements and prohibitive cost the idea of installing an off grid system was once thought of as an unpopular idea. Texas Solar Group has made it more affordable and easier to install solar systems. It is now common to see rustic cabins and RVs entirely powered by off grid solar energy.
You’re in the right spot should you be thinking about buying an off-grid system. This blog will tell you all you need to know about the off grid system prior to purchasing one. We will assist you in determining if an off-grid solar array is suitable for you, and also how to purchase the best system for you.
What is an Off-Grid Solar Panel System?
A lot of people think of solar panels with off-grid solar, but the reality is that there are multiple components needed to make an off-grid solar system.
An off-grid system is equipped with the necessary equipment to generate, store and store solar energy on the spot. The off grid solar system is known as “standalone system of power” because they operate without any external power source.
Off-grid solar systems differ from other types of solar arrays such as the grid-tied system. They rely on batteries for energy to be produced when the sun isn’t shining.
However batteries cost more than the solar panels whom they are connected. They cost more than grid-tied systems due to the fact that they require huge quantities in battery capacity.
How does an off-grid solar energy system perform?
Solar PV off-grid systems operate using the photovoltaic principle. When sunlight hits a solar panel it creates Direct Current (DC).
The DC energy generated is fed to the controller for charging that regulates the flow of charge and supplies the necessary power to the battery. Batteries play a crucial role in providing power during night and non-sunny days..
If the sun shines, the solar panel produces enough energy to provide power to the load and recharge the battery. Any excess power stored within the battery may be retrieved later if required.
The DC energy from a solar panel or battery is converted into alternating current(AC) energy (as most of the appliances at residential/commercial buildings run on AC supply) with the help of an inverter. This AC electricity converted into AC energy is fed to the loads through wire connections.
What are the various uses of off-grid sun power?
Solar energy offers many benefits. One of these is modularity and its scalability. This is how parts can be rearranged and combined to provide greater flexibility and use.
It is a great option for small devices like solar phone chargers or a system that could run an entire factory.
These are the most popular applications of off-grid solar:
- Charge a phone or tablet via USB
- The appliances are powered by an electrical power source.
- Small cabins can be powered with electricity
- Homes that are small, energy efficient, and can be powered
It is important to note that off-grid solar systems aren’t practical in areas in which power is readily available. This applies to situations when one wants to power a house in a suburb, city, or town.
You can save more by choosing a grid-tied, Grid-powered or hybrid solar panel system. Based on the local economy, you may also be able to use grid power.
What equipment is required for an Off-Grid Solar Panel System?
Here is a complete list of the equipment needed to run an off-grid solar panel.
- Solar panels
- Solar charge controller
- Solar inverter(s)
- Solar battery
- Mounting and racking system
- Wiring
- Junction boxes
How to size an Off-Grid Solar System
When it comes to installing an off-grid solar panel, it is vital to choose the right size system you will need.
This will impact the type of equipment you will require as well as the amount of time required to install it and, ultimately, the price of the whole project. Size of solar installation is determined by the amount of energy it will generate.
There are two methods to determine the number of people you need. They are dependent on:
- Your current usage
- Assessment of the load
Solar setup size is determined by the amount of usage
The option to do this is for those who wish to maintain your current lifestyle while switching from grid-tied solar to off grid. You can take your monthly electricity bills as a reference to calculate your electricity consumption in kilowatt hours.
Then you can size an off-grid system that is the same size. For maximum solar efficiency , you may want to go bigger.
Solar setup size is determined by load evaluation
A load assessment is a second option to figure out how much power your system will need.
- Calculate your total energy consumption
Begin by listing the appliances you plan to use as well as the time they will be used. This will allow you to determine the power consumption for each appliance as well as the total power consumption throughout the day.
You can estimate the size of the solar panel by determining how many kWh you use per day.
- Calculate the load requirement for the moment.
It is also important to figure out how many appliances can be running at the same time. This allows you to determine the instantaneous energy needs.
- Determine the battery’s storage capacity
Then, determine how much energy storage capacity you need. Do you want to create an energy backup to cover your usage for the day or just for a day’s worth?
Solar battery backup typically means that you need enough storage to last 2-3 days during peak usage periods.
- From Steps 1 - 3, you can design a system around your personal number
The dimensions of the three essential components that comprise the inverter, the inverter, and the solar panels, can provide enough information to allow solar equipment vendors to create an off-grid solution that is suitable for you.
What is the cost of an Off-Grid Solar Panel System?
Off-grid solar can be used for a variety of applications.
Cost-effectiveness of the battery type
The cost of your solar system off grid will be affected by the selection of the battery technology you choose.
The most recent lithium batteries are more efficient and feature a slimmer, sleep-friendly form factor. But, they’re costly and will be a significant part of the overall cost if employed.
AGM (Absorbent gas Mat) lead batteries made of acid are larger and last for a shorter time and are also less expensive. They are the preferred choice for off grid systems popularly because of their low price.
Off-grid Solar: The benefits
More than 300,000 households are using off-grid energy sources to satisfy their energy requirements. Here are a few of the reasons Americans prefer to live off-grid:
1. Unlocking the Grid
The people who live in areas that are prone to blackouts are attracted to off-grid solar because of this. You are dependent on the utility company for the power you use when connected to the grid.
The power supply of your home is affected if the grid goes down. It’s not apparent that this is a problem until you experience blackouts or power interruptions like the California blackouts of 2019 will attest.
2. It’s good for our environment
Carbon emissions are decreased when you go off grid. Because most electricity is generated using fossil fuels, it is essential to produce your own power by using renewable sources like solar, wind, and hydro. This will drastically reduce your carbon footprint.
3. Encourages a more energetic lifestyle
It’s easy for you to ignore your consumption of power when you’re connected to the grid. You use electricity, pay the bills, and that’s it. It disconnects you from the source and final destination of electricity.
When you are off-grid your perception of the power grid will shift completely. You will need to monitor the power you generate and review your energy consumption.
4. Sometimes it is the only way to make the change.
If you are trying to run a power source to a structure that is out of the reach of a hunting cabin in the woods, there’s an excellent chance there isn’t a grid in place.
The utility will likely tell you that your area isn’t covered when you attempt to connect. They might even offer to lay the wire but for a price.
That means you’ll need to generate your own power. While you can use a backup generator to provide power, it’s expensive and isn’t practical in many areas. The solar energy is your only viable option for power off grid.
Off-grid solar: The downsides
There are a myriad of reasons that the vast majority of US households prefer to stay in touch with the power grid even although solar panels provide many advantages.
There are a few important things to consider when you go off the grid.
1. Off-grid living isn’t always legal where you live.
Although solar panels and the ability to create your own electricity are growing in popularity in the US but it is still illegal in some states to disconnect totally from electricity. This legal restriction on going off-grid tend to be more common in urban areas than in rural areas.
2. Solar systems that are off-grid can be extremely expensive.
It isn’t common for solar panels to supply all the energy needed by a home to be extremely expensive.
A grid-connected off-grid system is more expensive than a grid-connected one. This requires more panel as well as an inverter that has a higher voltage capability.
You’ll need an additional generator powered by diesel or gas, as there is no grid. These are also very costly to operate. Because generators cannot be reliable for long and this is why it’s imperative to repair any problems within an off grid power system.
3. It is a long time to leave the grid.
It’s not easy to commit to produce enough electricity to meet your household’s needs.
It is necessary to be aware of how electricity works. It is essential to spend some time determining how much power you need in relation to your energy consumption patterns.
You will need to spend time making sure that you limit the power consumption to the minimal. You will need to monitor your power supply because the power supply can fluctuate rapidly.
Also, you must be familiar with the power generators that are used.
4. California off-grid solar is not eligible for a SGIP rebate
The California’s Self Generation Incentive Program is the largest battery storage incentive across the nation. Eighty percent of it is allocated to battery storage within the incentive budget.
The SGIP rebate could help individuals save thousands on batteries, especially those located in fire-risk areas. The catch is that SGIP is only applicable to grid-connected solar systems with battery backup, and not to off-grid systems.
5. You have other options to backup power
It is possible that you do not decide to go off grid because there’s always more suitable alternatives.
Installing a grid-connected solar system with backup batteries is the most efficient and simplest method to avoid blackouts. Hybrid solar systems are another name for this type.
These hybrid systems that use batteries, such as the Tesla Powerwall are more affordable than traditional off-grid systems. They are also eligible for incentives like the SGIP rebate.
6. Off-grid solar entails major lifestyle sacrifices
Ask anyone with an off-grid solar panel and they will all tell you the exact same issue: relying upon off grid power means you to rethink everything regarding energy.
Off-grid solar can be expensive, which is why homeowners need to invest in small systems. Weather conditions can affect the amount of power available. A day that is cloudy could cause an increase of 50% in power output.
You’ll be in trouble if you run out of energy. You can either wait for the sun’s return or make use of a backup diesel generator to power your home (if you own one). While the first is more convenient, the second option can be very expensive.
This can affect the entirety of your life. For example, many off-grid people say that they must conserve water as water pumps require a lot of energy. This means less flushing, or showers that are shorter. Air conditioning is a larger power guzzler and can use only for brief intervals of time, or it is used at all.
Are you looking for off-grid solar power near you?
If access for grid power is challenging or difficult, off-grid solar could be the most suitable option. It’s hard to imagine that a camper would abandon solar to get a generator that is noisy and costly.
It is also usually the best option for those committed to a low carbon footprint, sustainability-minded lifestyle. Hydropower and wind are more costly than other renewable energy sources such as wind and hydropower. They also need reliable water and wind supply.
However, if you’re a homeowner in or close proximity to a city or town Off-grid might not be right for you.
Off-grid solar systems can be expensive and seldom can provide savings over power from utilities. Due to the high cost of solar off grid, homeowners must install small systems. This could result in significant living issues for homeowners.
Learn more about Grid-Tied Solar Systems
Hybrid solar systems can be a great alternative if you require a backup battery like that of the Tesla Powerwall. Hybrid solar systems can be grid-tied with batteries. Hybrid systems are more expensive than grid-tied ones, however they can save you money and are still much cheaper than an off grid system.
Off-grid system installation is a specialization that Texas Solar Group solar companies provide. The efficiency of the installation is critical to the system’s ongoing operation. We can connect you with highly qualified and experienced off-grid installers. All you need to do is complete our off-grid quote application form.
