PROS AND CONS OF OFF-GRID SOLAR
Are you questioning whether or not an off-grid solar system is right for you? It has benefits and drawbacks, depending on whether you want to live more self-sufficiently or need to fuel a property in a remote area. We’ll go over the benefits and drawbacks of off-grid in this article to help you decide if it’s the best option for your project.
The key distinction between off-grid and grid-tied solar systems will be discussed first. Although both systems produce electricity, the difference between them is in how the produced energy is stored. Solar systems that are off-grid are not connected to the power company’s grid. A battery bank is needed for an off-grid device. The energy produced by your panels is stored in the battery bank.
A grid-tied solar panel, on the other hand, feeds the electricity it generates into the power grid. For the energy you produce, you will be given a credit that you can use at any time. The electricity generated by your device is stored in the power grid and can be distributed to other people in your neighborhood.
Solar systems that are connected to the grid and have a battery backup are also available. Your solar panel feeds surplus power into the electric grid and stores it in a backup battery bank in these systems. However, the battery bank’s backup power can only be used if the utility company’s power goes out. Before we get into the benefits and drawbacks of off the grid solar systems, make sure your state allows off-grid living. Going off-grid may or may not be feasible depending on the location of your project. Although some states promote off-grid living, others have regulations that prevent it.
Pros of Off-grid Solar:
- Going off-grid allows you to be fully self-sufficient from the power provider. It can be liberating to have complete control over your power. Your local utility company’s terms and conditions will no longer apply to you. You would be unaffected by rising energy prices. Being off the grid can be particularly advantageous in areas vulnerable to extreme weather events such as hurricanes and tornadoes.
- Off-grid energy may be used to power remote areas where utility power is either scarce or prohibitively costly to install. This choice enables you to live more independently and power vacation homes or cabins that are located far from populated areas.
- Another advantage of going off-grid with your solar project is that it is the most energy-efficient choice available. You are sourcing hyper-locally and reducing the utility company’s environmental effect by producing your own electricity. With off-grid solar, you can see just how much energy you’re using. It encourages energy conservation because your available energy is minimal.
- Having power during a local service outage gives you a sense of protection and relaxation. Power outages, whether scheduled or unplanned, are often inconvenient. Your electricity would not go out like the rest of the neighborhood’s during an outage if you have this system. This is particularly useful if you have medical devices or refrigerated products that require constant power.
Cons of Off-grid solar:
- Although going off-grid reduces your monthly energy bill, off-grid solar requires a larger initial investment than grid-tied solar. Off-grid solar includes a battery bank for storing generated energy in addition to the materials list for grid-tied solar. These batteries can account for up to 30-40% of an off-grid system’s initial cost. This extra cost means you’ll pay thousands more for off-grid solar than you would if you went the grid-tied path. You won’t be able to offset your investment because off-grid solar systems can’t sell electricity back to the grid.
- Off-grid solar projects have a finite amount of storage space, which is completely reliant on the battery bank you buy. You’ll need to figure out how much energy storage you’ll need while planning an off-grid solar project. You’ve set the maximum amount of energy storage available to you once you buy and install your battery bank. Given the small amount of energy available in an off-grid solar system, energy conservation is critical. To reduce your energy intake, you may need to make some lifestyle changes.
- Off-grid solar, unlike grid-tied solar, does not have the ability to draw energy from the grid if required. If the weather continues to be cloudy, you will expend all of your energy stored. Power will not be usable until the solar system had a chance to replenish itself with an off-grid system.
- Batteries are not only an expensive initial expenditure, but they also require maintenance and have a limited lifetime. Typical batteries last between 5 and 15 years, after which you will need to replace them.
Is Solar Off-Grid Right for You?
Although there are benefits and drawbacks to off-grid solar, deciding if it’s right for you depends on your project criteria and what you expect to achieve from going solar.
One of these off-grid solar systems could be the right match for you if you want full energy independence and the ability to power remote, difficult locations.
