COST FOR OFF GRID SOLAR SYSTEM

Interested in an Off-Grid Solar System? Read more to know more about the set-up and the cost that comes with it.

In this day and age where the demand and price of electricity are continuously skyrocketing, it’s no wonder that many are considering alternative power sources. One of which is harnessing the renewable energy of the sun or wind. The continuous modernization and improvements in the solar industry also propel many individuals to explore the benefits of setting up a solar system for their residences and even businesses. One increasingly popular option is having an Off Grid Solar System.

In this article, we will explore how an Off Grid Solar System could be a good match for your requirements and answer the big question -- how much will this system cost and is it worth the investment?

What does it mean to go “off-grid”? How Does it Differ from a Grid-Tied Solar System?

If you are toying with the idea of purchasing a solar system for your house, one of the major decisions that you will need to uptake is whether you would still like to be connected to an electrical grid or if you would completely take off your dependence on your local grid system.

So, what does it mean when you choose an Off-Grid Solar System? Basically, this means that you will no longer be relying on the electric grid, which powers most homes and businesses in your area. Since you are now independent of your electric provider, all your electricity needs will now have to be produced on-site, and this is where your solar system comes in. It is comprised of multiple parts that are designed to not only harness the sun’s energy but to also store it until needed.

In contrast, some people prefer to have a Grid-Tied Solar System, so that they could have the option to still use traditional sources (unless there is a power outage). Instead of storing excess electricity in a battery like in an Off-Grid Solar System, users of Grid-Tied could send the excess electricity back to the power grid. In exchange, users will have credits on their electricity bills.

Choosing to use an Off-grid Solar System will mean energy independence, no monthly electrical bill, and reliable electricity as you will not be affected by power outages. But of course, there are also disadvantages that you have to weigh in like it has a higher start-up price point vs a Grid-Tied Solar System, you no longer can draw to the power grid in case your battery storage runs out, and there are some counties and states that do not allow this. 

If you still want to pursue having an Off Grid Solar System, your next step should be sizing your Off-Grid Solar System (this will also help you with costing and what equipment to purchase)

How to size an Off-Grid Solar System?

You could simply use your monthly electricity bill as a guide in calculating your electric consumption in kilowatt-hours. Your Off-Grid System should be of the same size but it will be best to go bigger (say 10%), as a buffer for any solar inefficiencies.

You could also opt to calculate based on load evaluation.

First step: Determine the appliance that you will use and estimate how many hours of usage each day.  Once determined, calculate the power usage of each electronic, as well as the overall daily energy consumption. This will help you figure out your solar panel array. 

Second: Make sure to also calculate how many appliances will run at the same time, as you need to know the instantaneous wattage requirement. You need this to know what inverter to purchase – the cost could run up to a few thousand dollars or even higher. 

Third step: Your next step will be deciding on your battery storage capacity. Your battery is what makes it possible for your home to go off-grid. This depends how many watt hour of batteries you are designing for. 

Last step: Design your system based on the first three steps.
 
So, How Much is an Off-Grid Solar System?

We have mentioned above the usual cost of some of the major parts of your system (panel, inverter, and battery) to give you more or less an idea of how much money you will shell out, but also note that there are also other parts involved like solar charge controllers and generators. You also have to consider other possible extra expenses on wires, conduits, tools, and connectors.
When it comes to the overall cost, this will vary based on your electricity usage and your home’s location (e.g., if you live in a sunny climate vs living in moderately sunny climate).  The national average for installing an Off-Grid Solar System is tens thousand in the lower end (homes in areas with sunny climates + other backup systems installed) and might be over one hundred thousand in the higher end (this is for homes with excessive energy needs and moderately sunny climate.

Yes, the initial cost will not be low but good news for everyone, as there might be government incentives, tax rebates and credits, and state/city-level programs that will lessen the overall cost of setting up an Off-Grid Solar System. So the price mentioned above will actually be lower if you take advantage of these programs.

Off-Grid Product Recommendation:

If you are now convinced that going off-grid is for you and your family, As an industry leader of Off Grid Solar systems, Nature's Generator are happy to also share some of our most recommended products that you should add to your consideration. These products are guaranteed cost-effective with an option for expansion. Check out to see which ones would fit your requirements:

Nature’s Generator Elite starting from CAD 1649. 99 – aside from its whisper-quiet features and no gas requirements to run, this user-friendly unit can store electrical energy in its internal battery. It also has state-of-the-art electronics that can convert 12-volt power to 120-volt 3600watts for everyday electricity usage.

Nature’s Generator starting from CAD 1199.99– this 1800W portable generator is able to harness the energy from both the sun and the wind. You can also use it for both emergency and day-to-day use with no monthly maintenance required.

Nature’s Generator Powerhouse (to be launched this year)– this product could single-handedly provide ALL your home’s energy requirements with its maximum power output of 240V/7200-watt split phase. The best thing about this is that you have the option to expand your system and create a customized eco-system that will fit your needs, meaning you can add solar panels, power pods, wind turbines, transfer switches, and more.

For more information, click on the individual product link so that you can also see the estimated run time for a wide array of appliances. If you also have questions, contact support directly via (800) 975-7909, or email

info@naturesgeneratorcanada.com

 
Final Thoughts

As with any big move, it is important that you do your due diligence. Installing an Off-Grid Solar System means that you will have to rely on your stand-alone power system, meaning no help from the power grid. This will then entail careful planning on what system to build or product to buy that will match your home’s energy requirement and budget. As we have stated above, the start-up cost could be a bit high but if you want to be energy-independent, go green, have a mobile lifestyle or would just want to stop paying monthly electric dues, then the cost will surely pay for itself in the long run. In addition, there are products that are cost-effective in the market (like the ones above) that could be a great option for your household.

  * We want to give credit where credit is due. Professional writer, Michelle Gmana, contributed research and content to this blog titled: Cost for Off Grid Solar System Thank you, Michelle, for your contributions!