Do you know that you can rely only on the power of the sun to generate enough energy for your home or building? This is known as the off grid solar system. This solar system makes you independent of the electrical grid.
All you need to do with your off grid solar system is install it alongside an energy storage device. This energy storage device may be a solar battery or any similar thing placed at the location of the power consumption.
In the past, an off grid solar system was an expensive venture to undertake, however, over time, the solar industry has taken giant strides in making solar equipment readily affordable. Just keep reading!
Off grid solar system—What is it?
The moment people hear “off grid solar”, they immediately associate it with solar panels. However, in reality, an off grid solar system requires other parts and is not just limited to solar panels.
This type of solar system is usually all-inclusive as it has everything required in its “armor” to produce, store, and supply solar energy. This explains why they are dubbed “standalone solar power systems”. They don’t require any external power source to function properly.
Unlike other types of solar systems, when the sun is out, this type solely depends on batteries to supply power. The downside is batteries cost a lot more than solar panels. This is one factor that makes this type of solar system a lot more expensive.
Applications of the off grid solar system
The two major features that characterize this solar system are scalability and modularity. These features describe how its various components can be disassembled and assembled.
They are quite more flexible than other solar systems when you factor in these two features.
The following are the advantages of the off grid solar system:
- You can use it to power your phone, tablet, or other portable gadgets.
- It can provide energy to your RV’s appliances.
- It can power small cabins with electricity.
- It can power small homes or business environs.
If you have access to utility power, it makes zero sense to install this type of solar system.
Components of an off grid solar system
As stated earlier, this type of solar system does not stand alone. It has the following components; junction boxes, solar panels, multiple or one solar inverter, a charge controller (solar), a group of solar batteries or just one solar battery, and wiring.
How to decide on the size you need
This is a very crucial step when installing the off grid solar system. What size does your home or office need? Knowing this will influence how you buy the needed equipment and the type.
It will also determine how much money you need for the installation. This is because the amount of power you want to generate will determine the size of the solar system you require.
How much current you are currently using and your load evaluation or analysis will give you a clue to this.
In summary, this type of solar system can cost thousands of dollars for installation. Can you afford it? Do your homework!
