Knowing When It Is Time To Move Off-Grid

Posted under solar power by Dale Green

There different systems involving solar powers as form of renewable energy. The off-grid system is one of this. The system generates electrical power independently apart from the utility grid. This system is what everyone wants for when it comes to electricity supply. But before you decide to move to this system, consider first the facts behind it.

When you take that final step and set up a stand-alone off-grid system, you are firing your utility company and taking on this responsibility yourself. There will be no service truck coming out in the middle of the night if you suddenly lose power or pinpoint a problem from a power surge. You may very well find yourself respecting that money hungry utility company that you had learned to hate over the years.

If you are counting on saving money on generating your own power, think again. Generating electricity and storing for when you need it, even on a small scale, is very expensive. Large battery banks and engine generators are commonplace with off-grid systems and the initial and long-term operating costs can be very expensive.

The battery usually costs thousands of dollars and will only last for about fifteen years in operation. Since the energy comes from the sun, there will be ore energy to store in a day that may overcharge the batteries if batteries are not large enough. To avoid this, you will need charge regulators for the battery. What will happen to the stored energy that has not been used? Moving to off-grid system will require you to move your schedules as well to be able to catch up with the peak times of the supply. All these considerations and expenses do not correspond to your goal of saving money.

Using the off-grid system for the supply of your electricity may not work the way you planned or expect it. Sometimes your appliances will not operate properly, especially when the power is low. To keep the system going, a generator should be there to back up the system.

Maintenance and labor are other factors that need to be considered in going off-grid for the sake of independence. If you are not mechanically inclined or have a basic knowledge of electricity and your renewable system, it is not going to take you long to get stuck on a problem. I probably wouldn’t be a bad idea to sign up for some basic classes in wind and solar power, basic electricity and industrial batteries, their care and use.

Being independent with your electricity system is not impossible, especially if you have the capacity to be so. But if your sources are limited and you are not yet stable in handling related problems and expenses regarding the system, might as well think of it first. While you are still on the stage of learning more about the system, it is good to stay grid-tied while installing your own off-grid system so you have an available back-up when your system fails.

To those who are just starting the use of renewable fuel for daily electricity, it is best to use grid-tied system. You will not need a backup battery, your inverter is already connected to the grid, and the unconsumed energy will return to the grid. When you are ready to shoulder the costs of the off-grid system, then that’s the time you can move on. Perhaps the cost of the system is not that high anymore.

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