Off-Grid Residential Solar Power System

There are three main solar power systems - grid-tied (on-grid, grid-connected), off-grid (stand-alone power system (SAPS), and hybrid solar (battery storage with grid-connection). Since I’ve already written about grid-tied systems, in this post I’ll give some basic information about off-grid residential solar power systems.

An off-grid solar power system is a solar panel system not connected to the grid. This means that you are completely independent of the utility grid and your solar system produces clean electricity for all your energy needs. The system consists of solar panels, an off-grid inverter, charge controller and rechargeable battery storage. An off-grid backup generator is an optional component. 

Before buying and installing an off-grid power system you should know your daily power needs. This will help determine which size system is appropriate for you. You can check out this off-grid system calculator to determine the size of the system for your off-grid home. Your solar panel system can be mounted on the roof or on the ground. 

The off-grid solar power system just like the other solar power systems works by generating electricity from solar panels. That electricity is direct current (DC), so it is converted using an inverter to alternative current (AC) and then it powers your home electronic appliances. AC is the standard form of electricity for anything that “plugs in” to utility power and it is a necessary form for the household appliances to work. 

When solar panels generate excess electricity it charges a solar battery (DC) via a charge controller. The charge controller is an essential component because it regulates the voltage and current that solar battery storage receives, to prevent overcharging and damage. And by saving the solar power in battery storage, it is possible to run your home appliances with energy from the sun, even at night or on cloudy days when solar panels produce less electricity. 

The off-grid solar power systems are much more expensive then on-grind systems due to the high prices of the batteries. It is suitable for one family home if you would like to gain complete energy independence, holiday houses, and especially for houses and farms in remote areas far away from the electricity grid. But although the off-grid solar power system is expensive this is a long-term investment that will save you money and deliver green, reliable power for decades.

See also: Solar Power Calculating Tools Online

What is a Solar Panel Kit for Home?

Solar panel kit is pre-packed solar equipment that after installation can form an operating solar power system for your home. Almost all solar kits come with everything you need to have a working solar system (complete equipment). For some kits you may need to buy additional items, so you should be careful. 

Solar panel kits can vary in price depending on their build, power generation, size, and components. Therefore, they can cost from a few hundred up to thousands of dollars. Once you choose and buy a solar panel kit, it will be shipped to your home and all you have to do is install it yourself (DIY- do-it-yourself).

Before buying a solar panel kit, you should do some research and calculations regarding current energy consumption in your home, and how it will change in the future. Thus you will know how much solar power and how many panels you will need. You should also decide whether your solar power system will be grid-connected, off-grid or hybrid.

Here are the basic components that you can expect in most solar panel kits: solar panels, solar inverter, batteries (off-grid), charge controller (off-grid), mounting hardware, wiring and connectivity parts. You can choose between two types of solar panels: polycrystalline and monocrystalline. Monocrystalline panels are more expensive, more efficient, and more heat resistant.

Solar panel kits are suitable for small homes. There are solar panel kits for large homes but as you go up in size (1,000W and more), solar installations become more complicated. It doesn’t make sense to install a large solar panel system yourself. And If you are not sure about your knowledge it is recommended to seek professional help. Installing your solar panel kit may save you money but keep in mind that it can be time-consuming, challenging, and even risky in terms of safety and how to do it right. Also, if your solar panel kit is grid-tied you have to check whether your utility company allows self-installed solar systems to connect to the grid. 

If you are absolutely beginner to solar electricity it is a good idea to buy a solar starter kit. Starter solar panels kit won’t be able to fully power your home but it is just a few hundred dollars and includes the parts you need to start seeing if solar is right for you. It can power some of your electric appliances and it is usually grid-connected, which means that it will work with the existing grid. Typically solar starter panels ranging from 50W - 400W.

Solar panel kits are a good option for garages, farms, boats, caravans and off-grid cabins.

More detailed information you can find here:

https://www.letsgosolar.com/solar-panels/solar-panels-kits/

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