Off-grid solar means meeting all of your solar energy needs without the help of the grid. To do this, you need to install a solar power system paired with an energy storage system (such as solar batteries) at the site of power consumption (your home).
Installing an off-grid solar system used to be a fringe concept because it required a huge amount of space and was costly. But advances in solar technology over the past decade have made solar installations more efficient and cheaper, helping to push them into the mainstream. Now, it's a fairly common sight to see RVs and rustic cabins powered entirely by off-grid solar systems.
Key Takeaways
An off grid solar system uses solar panels, battery storage, and associated equipment to power a grid-independent location. It has many uses; it can power campgrounds, RVs, boats, remote cabins, and even family homes.
Before purchasing an off-grid system, you need to determine what size system you want. You can do this in one of two ways: based on your current electricity usage or a thorough load assessment.
An off-grid solar kit that can run a home costs between $12,000 and $50,000; this does not include installation, permits, and fees.
While many people only think of solar panels when they hear "off-grid solar", the reality is that there are many other components that you need to add in order to have a functioning off-grid photovoltaic system.
A complete off-grid solar system has all the necessary equipment to generate, store, and supply solar energy on-site. Because off-grid solar systems do not need to be connected to any external power source in order to operate, they are also known as "stand-alone solar power systems".
Unlike other types of solar installations, such as the more common grid-connected solar systems, off-grid solar systems rely on batteries to provide power when the sun is not available.
However, batteries are expensive - much more expensive than the solar panels they are paired with. The need for adequate battery storage in off-grid solar systems makes them much more expensive than grid-tied ones.
What equipment is required for an off-grid solar system?
Below is a list of all the equipment needed for a properly functioning off-grid solar system:
Solar panels
Solar charge controller
Solar Inverter
Solar Batteries
Mounting and racking system
Wiring
Junction Boxes
How much do off-grid solar systems cost?
Off-grid systems range in price from about $50 (for a cell phone or tablet charger) to tens of thousands of dollars. This is due to the wide variety of applications for off-grid solar.
If we're talking specifically about off-grid solar kits that can power an entire home, then prices range from $12,000 to $50,000.
Please note that the above fees only apply to off-grid solar panel kits, i.e. equipment only. If you use a professional solar company to install, you will incur additional labor costs; for DIY, licensing and tooling requirements may incur some additional charges.
Installing an off-grid solar system used to be a fringe concept because it required a huge amount of space and was costly. But advances in solar technology over the past decade have made solar installations more efficient and cheaper, helping to push them into the mainstream. Now, it's a fairly common sight to see RVs and rustic cabins powered entirely by off-grid solar systems.
Key Takeaways
An off grid solar system uses solar panels, battery storage, and associated equipment to power a grid-independent location. It has many uses; it can power campgrounds, RVs, boats, remote cabins, and even family homes.
Before purchasing an off-grid system, you need to determine what size system you want. You can do this in one of two ways: based on your current electricity usage or a thorough load assessment.
An off-grid solar kit that can run a home costs between $12,000 and $50,000; this does not include installation, permits, and fees.
While many people only think of solar panels when they hear "off-grid solar", the reality is that there are many other components that you need to add in order to have a functioning off-grid photovoltaic system.
A complete off-grid solar system has all the necessary equipment to generate, store, and supply solar energy on-site. Because off-grid solar systems do not need to be connected to any external power source in order to operate, they are also known as "stand-alone solar power systems".
Unlike other types of solar installations, such as the more common grid-connected solar systems, off-grid solar systems rely on batteries to provide power when the sun is not available.
However, batteries are expensive - much more expensive than the solar panels they are paired with. The need for adequate battery storage in off-grid solar systems makes them much more expensive than grid-tied ones.
What equipment is required for an off-grid solar system?
Below is a list of all the equipment needed for a properly functioning off-grid solar system:
Solar panels
Solar charge controller
Solar Inverter
Solar Batteries
Mounting and racking system
Wiring
Junction Boxes
How much do off-grid solar systems cost?
Off-grid systems range in price from about $50 (for a cell phone or tablet charger) to tens of thousands of dollars. This is due to the wide variety of applications for off-grid solar.
If we're talking specifically about off-grid solar kits that can power an entire home, then prices range from $12,000 to $50,000.
Please note that the above fees only apply to off-grid solar panel kits, i.e. equipment only. If you use a professional solar company to install, you will incur additional labor costs; for DIY, licensing and tooling requirements may incur some additional charges.