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shapecharge/E+/Getty images At SaveOnEnergy, we work to offer accurate information with editorial integrity. Our partners do not direct our editorial content, though we may reference their products in our posts. Read more about how we make money. What is an off-grid solar system?An off-grid solar system is a solar panel system that generates electricity, stores that power in solar batteries, and runs independently from the power grid. These systems encourage off-the-grid living, a lifestyle centered around energy independence and self-sustainability. Living “off the grid” has become more popular recently because of the rising cost of energy, fuel, food, and other necessities. Electricity costs have increased in the last decade, leading many consumers to look for alternative forms of power for their homes. Solar energy is a sustainable form of green energy that can power your home independently from the electrical grid. However, off-grid solar systems require different components compared to grid-tied (sometimes called on-grid) systems. Explore how off-grid systems differ from traditional grid-connected solar systems, how much they cost, and the factors to consider before installing an off-grid solar system. Cost of an off-grid solar systemOn average, a 5-kilowatt solar system in 2022 costs between $15,000 and $25,000 before accounting for solar tax credits and rebates. The cost of an off-grid solar system has an even wider range because there are a variety of sizes, applications, and components that impact the price. For example, some very small off-grid solar kits are only able to charge a phone or tablet and can cost less than $100. Other off-grid solar systems power an entire home and can cost as much as $50,000. Solar batteries are an integral part of off-grid solar systems, however, they can drive up the total cost. On average, a solar battery costs between $5,000 and $20,000. Depending on the size of your off-grid system and your home’s energy usage, you may need more than one solar battery. The
Tesla Powerwall is one of the best solar batteries on the market and costs $8,500 before factoring in installation costs. This battery has a capacity of 13.5 kilowatt-hours (kWh), which is almost half of the amount of electricity
the average household consumes per day. With this in mind, an off-grid solar system would need two or three Tesla Powerwall batteries to completely power a home, driving the cost of solar batteries up to between $17,000 and $25,000. To estimate how much an off-grid solar system would cost, follow these steps:
Add the cost of
solar batteries to the price of the rest of the system. Once you have the total cost, you can begin to factor in the savings from the federal solar tax credit and state solar rebates and incentives. Ready to go solar? Call 877-307-7668 to be connected with a solar expert today! Off-grid vs. grid-tied solar systemIf you are interested in buying a solar system for your home, one of the first decisions you will need to make is whether to connect it to the power grid or not. The majority of solar panel owners remain connected to the grid because it allows them to draw electricity from the grid when their panels are not producing enough energy and provides access to net metering programs. However, there are some consumers who are interested in solar specifically because it could help them live separately from the power grid. Here are some of the ways that off-grid systems differ from solar systems that are connected to the grid. Get an exact quote from our solar advisorsThe SaveOnEnergy marketplace helps you search, compare, sign up and save on the right energy fit for your home — all for free. If you’re interested in solar, answer a few questions to get an exact price quote from our solar advisors. 1. Complete the form below How you store electricityOff-grid solar. One of the key things to note about off-grid solar systems is that they rely more heavily on storing excess power than a grid-tied system. There will likely be times when your solar panels produce more electricity than you need. During these times, your off-grid system can store that electricity in a solar battery. Solar storage is very important for off-grid systems because that will be your only source of power during times when your solar panels aren’t generating enough electricity, for instance, at night or when it’s cloudy outside. Grid-tied solar. For a solar system that remains connected to the grid, storing electricity in a solar battery is an option, although it is not as important as it would be with an off-grid system. Instead of storing excess electricity in a battery, many consumers with grid-tied systems opt to take advantage of net metering programs. These allow consumers to send extra electricity to the power grid in exchange for credits to your electricity bill. How you access electricityOff-grid solar. With an off-grid solar system, you will only have electricity when your solar system is generating power or when you’re drawing power from solar batteries. Your system will generate less power when it’s cloudy or at night. This is why solar batteries are very important for off-grid systems. You will be much more dependent on the electricity you store in your batteries than consumers who have grid-tied systems. Grid-tied solar. If you keep your solar system connected to the power grid, you will always be able to access electricity from the grid unless there is a power outage. For this reason, grid-tied systems do not need a solar battery and can be more reliable during times when solar panels are not generating enough power. How you pay for powerOff-grid solar. If your solar system is completely off-the-grid, you will not receive an electricity bill from your utility. This is a huge perk for off-grid solar and one of the most appealing features for consumers who are considering off-grid systems. Grid-tied solar. You will still receive an electricity bill if you have a grid-tied solar system, even if your system produces 100% of your home’s power. One of the charges you will still be billed for is a service or delivery charge, which utility companies charge to keep your home connected to the power grid. How power outages affect youOff-grid solar. Because an off-grid solar system is completely independent, it will not be impacted by electrical outages that affect the power grid. While bad weather could impact how much energy your solar system generates, you will still be able to draw power from solar batteries as long as you have enough energy stored. Grid-tied solar. An grid-tied system comes with many perks, but one of the biggest disadvantages is that power outages can impact your energy supply when your solar system is connected to the grid. If there is an electrical outage, a grid-tied solar system will not be able to produce electricity unless you have a battery backup system installed. Advantages and disadvantages of off-grid solarThere are several benefits of investing in an off-grid solar system. However, it’s also important that you are aware of the drawbacks of disconnecting from the grid. Advantages of an off-grid solar system
Disadvantages of an off-grid solar system
Hybrid solar systemsAn alternative to off-grid solar systems is a hybrid system, which remains tied to the grid but includes a solar battery bank to store excess energy. Hybrid systems can be a happy medium between off-grid systems and grid-tied systems that don’t have solar storage options. With a hybrid solar system, you can increase your home’s energy independence by using electricity that you store during times of high production. Meanwhile, if inclement weather impacts your system’s energy production or you run out of stored power, you can pull power from the grid. Whether you choose an off-grid, grid-tied, or hybrid solar system, make sure you consider all of your home’s energy needs beforehand. Cost, energy production, storage, and reliability are all important factors that should all come into play. SaveOnEnergy can help you make the most informed decision on all things solar. Learn more about solar energySolar energy by stateHow much does the average off grid solar system cost?If this sounds like you, you may be curious about how much off grid solar system cost? Assuming electric consumption is that of the U.S. national average, an off-grid solar system would cost between $30,392 – $48,048.
How much does a 10kW off grid solar system cost?How much does an average 10kW solar system cost? As of January 2022, a 10kW solar energy system will cost about $30,000 before incentives, based on the average cost of solar in the U.S. When you take the federal tax credit into account, that price drops to about $21,000.
How many solar panels does it take to run a house off grid?You'll be generating 1.8 kWh per panel per day. To meet the average requirement of 29.33 kWh of electricity per day for your household, then, you'll need 17 solar panels.
Is an off grid solar system worth it?Going Off-Grid Makes Financial Sense in the Long Run
You can recoup your initial investment on solar panels in as little as 3-5 years. The investment on the battery systems that will be used to store solar energy will take longer to recoup, though; the payback periods for battery systems usually last 10 years.
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