What Are: Off-Grid Power Systems

When exploring new solar energy options, you may be trying to find the system that is best for your location and lifestyle. Not all solar energy is created equal land an off-grid system may have more benefits than drawbacks when it comes to where you live and how you go about your daily life. Keep reading to learn more about what exactly an off-grid power system is, how it works, what the benefits and drawbacks are, and if the benefits outweigh the drawbacks for your lifestyle.

Off-Grid Power Systems Defined

First thing’s first: what exactly is an off-grid power system? These systems are a way of being completely independent of a power company. This means that all the power in your home will be generated directly by you, and you won’t have to deal with a power company at all.

How Does This System Work?

“Okay,” you may say, “so if there’s no power company involved, how exactly does it work?” These systems work using battery storage, which means that all the extra energy you generate will be stored in a battery, which will act as a replacement for the sun when it goes down. During nighttime, on a cloudy day, during a power outage, you’ll have your battery ready to go to keep generating your power no matter what the situation going on outside. This will also be useful if you live far out in the country or on a lonely mountainside, as the lack of an electrical grid will no longer be an issue for you. Even if you live right in the middle of a large city, these systems and the batteries can also benefit you in other ways.

What Are the Benefits of Going Off-Grid?

Again, if you live in a remote area, you might not have a choice, as the lack of an electrical grid will mean you’ll be forced to produce energy all by yourself.

Another reason is cost: if you can’t afford the amount it costs to pay a power company for extra energy you’ll need, going independent will mean you don’t have to worry about it. With the use of a battery, you’ll have your energy backed up and won’t need to rely on a power company to provide the extra energy and then charge you for it.

Another huge benefit is a power outage situation, in which being tied to a power company will mean your power will go out with everyone else’s. Even though you aren’t using traditional energy, they are required to make yours go out, as well, as it’s a safety hazard not to do so. However, if you’re an independent energy generator, you’ll be able to keep your power going regardless of if there’s an outage or not.

Are There Any Drawbacks?

Like most things, there are drawbacks to going off-grid just as there are advantages. One of these is that you’ll have to rely on yourself to create the energy, as a power company won’t be there if you didn’t produce enough extra during the day to power up your home at night.

Another drawback is that you won’t have access to energy credits and therefore won’t be able to make extra money from your energy company. People on-grid are able to sell extra energy right back to their power company and make money from it.

Is It Right for Me?

While the choice of whether this type of energy is right for you is totally up to you, there are a few things you should keep in mind: do you live in a remote area, do you like producing your own energy, and do you want to sell energy to a power company? The answers to these questions will help you decide if off-grid is the right choice for you?

Want to learn more about solar energy and ways you can implement it in your life? Check out the HahaSmart blog to learn more!

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