--- description: What is Autonomous PV System: An autonomous PV system is not wired into the grid. It needs batteries or some other kind of storage. title: What is an Autonomous PV System? - Energy Theory image: https://energytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Depositphotos_59853453_XL.jpg --- [ Close Menu ](#) * [About](https://energytheory.com/about-us/) * [EV](https://energytheory.com/category/electric-vehicles/) * [FAQs](https://energytheory.com/category/faqs/) * [Glossary](https://energytheory.com/category/glossary/) * [Green](https://energytheory.com/category/green/) * [Renewable](https://energytheory.com/category/renewable/) * [Sustainable](https://energytheory.com/category/sustainable/) * [Energy Economy](https://energytheory.com/category/energy-economy/) * [Energy Services](https://energytheory.com/category/energy-services/) * [Solar](https://energytheory.com/category/solar/) * [Sustainable](https://energytheory.com/category/sustainable/) * [News](https://energytheory.com/category/latest-news/) * [Language](#) [ ![Energy Theory](https://energytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/2e3rtgthghnm.png) ](https://energytheory.com/ "Energy Theory") ![en](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/en.svg)English [![es](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/es.svg) Spanish](#) [![fr](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/fr.svg) French](#) [![en](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/en.svg) English](#) [![it](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/it.svg) Italian](#) [![zh-CN](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/zh-CN.svg) Chinese (Simplified)](#) [![nl](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/nl.svg) Dutch](#) [![fi](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/fi.svg) Finnish](#) [![de](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/de.svg) German](#) [![hi](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/hi.svg) Hindi](#) [![ja](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/ja.svg) Japanese](#) [![pl](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/pl.svg) Polish](#) [![pt](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/pt.svg) Portuguese](#) [![ru](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/ru.svg) Russian](#) [ ![Energy Theory](https://energytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/2e3rtgthghnm.png) ](https://energytheory.com/ "Energy Theory") ![en](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/en.svg)English [![es](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/es.svg) Spanish](#) [![fr](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/fr.svg) French](#) [![en](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/en.svg) English](#) [![it](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/it.svg) Italian](#) [![zh-CN](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/zh-CN.svg) Chinese (Simplified)](#) [![nl](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/nl.svg) Dutch](#) [![fi](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/fi.svg) Finnish](#) [![de](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/de.svg) German](#) [![hi](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/hi.svg) Hindi](#) [![ja](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/ja.svg) Japanese](#) [![pl](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/pl.svg) Polish](#) [![pt](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/pt.svg) Portuguese](#) [![ru](https://cdn.gtranslate.net/flags/svg/ru.svg) Russian](#) [Glossary](https://energytheory.com/category/glossary/) # What is an Autonomous PV System? By [Elliot Clark](https://energytheory.com/author/elliot%5Fclark/)November 17, 20232 Mins Read ![JAN23 What is an Autonomous PV System?](https://energytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Depositphotos_59853453_XL-1024x683.jpg "What is an Autonomous PV System?") An autonomous PV system is also known as a **stand alone PV system.** The autonomous System is a hybrid or autonomous photovoltaic system that is not wired into the grid. The majority of standalone systems need batteries or some other kind of storage, while some may or may not have storage. ### **Why are Autonomous PV Systems Developed?** Due to the growth of solar, wind, energy storage, electric vehicles, and building automation, energy systems have become more **heterogeneous.** Future energy systems will need to be able to control and communicate securely, autonomously, and reliably with billions of buildings, vehicles, and other things in addition to the millions of distributed generation locations. In order to find clever and reliable solutions for running highly electrified, heterogeneous energy systems, [NREL](https://www.nrel.gov/) developed the idea of AES (Autonomous Energy Systems) and carried out foundational research. ### **What Makes Up an Autonomous PV System?** A number of individual photovoltaic modules (or panels), typically **12 volts** and with power outputs ranging from 50 to 100+ watts each, make up an [off-grid or Stand Alone PV System.](https://energytheory.com/what-is-off-grid-solar-system/) The desired output of power is then produced by combining these PV modules into a single array. **Must Read:** [What is On Grid Solar System?](https://energytheory.com/what-is-on-grid-solar-system/) ### **Where are Standalone PV Systems Used?** In **isolated rural areas** and for applications where alternative power sources are either impractical or unavailable to supply power for lighting, appliances, and other uses, stand-alone PV systems are perfect. In these situations, installing a single standalone PV system is more affordable than paying for the local power company to attach power lines and cables to the residence as part of a grid-connected PV system. An electrical system made up of a collection of one or more PV modules, conductors, electrical parts, and one or more loads is called a stand-alone photovoltaic (PV) system. However, for household purposes, a small-scale off-grid solar system does not always need to be tied to a rooftop or building structure. RVs, camper vans, yachts, tents, and other off-grid structures can all be powered by solar energy. Many businesses, including Amazon, now provide portable solar kits that let you generate your own trustworthy, cost-free solar electricity wherever you go, even in remote areas. Share. 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With a background in environmental science, he has a deep understanding of the issues facing our planet and is committed to educating others on how they can make a difference. #### Related Posts [![Post-consumer recycled (PCR) content](https://energytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Post-consumer-recycled-PCR-content.png "What is Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) Content?")](https://energytheory.com/what-is-post-consumer-recycled-pcr-content/ "What is Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) Content?") #### [What is Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) Content?](https://energytheory.com/what-is-post-consumer-recycled-pcr-content/) April 9, 2024 [![Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF)](https://energytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Heating-Seasonal-Performance-Factor-HSPF.jpg "What is Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF)?")](https://energytheory.com/what-is-heating-seasonal-performance-factor-hspf/ "What is Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF)?") #### [What is Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF)?](https://energytheory.com/what-is-heating-seasonal-performance-factor-hspf/) February 3, 2024 [![What is Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE)](https://energytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/What-is-Annual-Fuel-Utilization-Efficiency-AFUE.jpg "What is Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE)?")](https://energytheory.com/what-is-annual-fuel-utilization-efficiency-afue/ "What is Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE)?") #### [What is Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE)?](https://energytheory.com/what-is-annual-fuel-utilization-efficiency-afue/) February 2, 2024 [Add A Comment ](#) Leave A Reply [Cancel Reply](https://energytheory.com/what-is-an-autonomous-pv-system/#respond) Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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