A stand-alone off-grid system is any type of renewable electricity system that is completely independent of the utility grid. Although this may sound like a dream come true, collecting all of the actual facts can help you to determine whether this is the best move for you.

Deciding to move would mean you do not need the service of the utility company anymore. Although this move is somewhat good because you don’t have to pay high expenses to your utility provider, the disadvantage here is that it would mean no one will help you to check the problem when the electricity loses its power in the middle of the night. You will have to do it yourself so you can use the utility again.

You might be thinking that by setting up an off-grid system for electrical supply you can save money or lessen utility bills. This may not happen because the process of generating your own power would mean you will spend more money for the essential tools and machine. The battery, the engine generator, and the operating costs are all very expensive.

The battery usually costs thousands of dollars and will only last for about fifteen years in operation. Since the energy comes from the sun, there will be ore energy to store in a day that may overcharge the batteries if batteries are not large enough. To avoid this, you will need charge regulators for the battery. What will happen to the stored energy that has not been used? Moving to off-grid system will require you to move your schedules as well to be able to catch up with the peak times of the supply. All these considerations and expenses do not correspond to your goal of saving money.

Using the off-grid system for the supply of your electricity may not work the way you planned or expect it. Sometimes your appliances will not operate properly, especially when the power is low. To keep the system going, a generator should be there to back up the system.

Maintenance and labor are other factors that need to be considered in going off-grid for the sake of independence. If you are not mechanically inclined or have a basic knowledge of electricity and your renewable system, it is not going to take you long to get stuck on a problem. I probably wouldn’t be a bad idea to sign up for some basic classes in wind and solar power, basic electricity and industrial batteries, their care and use.

Getting an independent off-grid system of electricity supply for your own home is really possible. If you have the money for the initial expenses you can easily set up your system. But if your budget is not enough, maybe it is not yet the right time to move to off-grid system. For the mean time, use the system that is grid-tied for your electrical supply while you are still making up for the off-grid one. When you have learned everything you have to know, you might be able to set up your stand-alone-off-grid system at affordable costs.

To those who are just starting the use of renewable fuel for daily electricity, it is best to use grid-tied system. You will not need a backup battery, your inverter is already connected to the grid, and the unconsumed energy will return to the grid. When you are ready to shoulder the costs of the off-grid system, then that’s the time you can move on. Perhaps the cost of the system is not that high anymore.

Tags: Wind Energy