How to Go Off-Grid with Solar Panels?

Going solar allows you to harness the raw power of the sun to fuel your home, which is an empowering and humbling concept. But there is more than just energy to solar power; it’s also a pathway to freedom and independence from the National Grid. The transition from grid dependent to independent has various advantages for your family, both financially and environmentally. In this article, we’ll look at how solar energy coupled with energy storage can liberate you from the grid, giving you greater control over your household budget and carbon footprint.

Can You Go Off Grid With Solar?

This depends on what ‘grid’ we’re talking about. You’ll need more than solar power to become ‘mountain man’ off-grid. However, it is entirely possible to replace most or all of your electricity expenditure with solar energy usage generated in your home, especially if your system is integrated with energy battery storage. Solar battery backups store the excess energy your panels produce during the day for use at night or on cloudy days. So yes, with a properly sized battery storage system, investing in solar panels is probably the best way of reducing your dependence on the National Grid, and you can do it wherever you live, even in highly built-up areas.

Control Energy Costs

The greatest advantage of being off grid is the enhanced control it gives you over your energy usage and costs. Solar energy systems are equipped with monitoring systems that let you track your energy production and consumption, and storage levels, helping you to make better decisions about energy use. This will save you money even if you draw only a fraction of your energy from solar power, with most still coming from the National Grid. The important factor is the freedom it gives you to choose how you draw your energy and where to spend it. Knowing how much energy you generate and use can also help you prepare more accurately for future energy costs and identify opportunities for savings and efficiencies.

Over time, many households have a noticeable decrease in monthly energy bills after investing in solar power, as an increasing bulk of their energy consumption is covered by their solar panels.

Maximise Your Solar Energy Use

With a solar-plus-battery system, you're not just generating your own clean electricity - you're able to store it and use it intelligently.

For example, any excess solar power your panels produce gets stored in the battery backup for later use. This stored energy can then be utilised during pricier peak demand hours in the evening when electricity rates are highest. Running your home on your own stored solar reserves prevents you from having to rely on expensive peak-time power from your utility.

Additionally, sophisticated energy management systems can be programmed to prioritise consuming your self-generated solar first, then automatically draw from battery reserves, and finally tap into the grid only if needed. This reduces your reliance on the grid to an absolute minimum.

By storing solar energy for later use and avoiding peak rates, the right battery solution allows you to maximise the value you receive from your solar investment. Coupled with monitoring data, you gain full visibility into your production and consumption trends. This transparency empowers you to make smarter energy choices and achieve even greater savings over time.

Positive Environmental Impact

One of the most compelling reasons to go off grid with solar energy is the beneficial impact on the environment. By using cleaner, greener, and renewable energy, you contribute directly to reducing the harmful greenhouse gas emissions associated with conventional electricity generation.

Solar energy doesn’t require a power station to run your home, doesn’t create air or water pollution, and is far cheaper and less risky than nuclear power. In fact, there are no intermediaries at all, which is the essence of being off grid. You create power at source and use it where it is created – in your own home.

What Next?

Transitioning to solar energy gives your household greater independence, protecting you from fluctuations in energy prices and the uncertainties of government regulations.

As a sustainability move, it’s also one of the most accessible means of aligning your energy use with environmentally conscious values and lifestyle choices. To find out more, please feel free to have a chat with one of our solar energy experts by following the link here where you can book a no obligation, jargon free meeting today!

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