Every person has their personal preferences and tastes when it comes to shopping. Well, this rule is applicable to solar systems also. The only difference is their energy requirements and the type of connection they want or can have. There are 3 types of solar systems available, which can make it difficult for new customers to choose the right one for their needs. if you are sailing in the same boat thenthis article about what is off grid solar system is for you.
What is Off Grid Solar System?
Depending on the type of connection required, there are 3 types of solar systems namely: on-grid, off-grid, and hybrid solar system. An on-grid solar system is connected to the utility grid and does not include a battery backup for storing extra power generated by solar panels. The hybrid solar system is a mix of both as it is connected to the grid but also has a battery backup to store excess energy.
The off-grid solar system is a bit different from on-grid and hybrid because it functions electrically but without any connection to the mainline power supply. Yes, no connection to your local or state utility provider. How can it work without any connection from the mainline? I know this is what you thought. But off-grid solar systems may not be connected to main power lines but still have solar panels and a battery backup.
Yes, energy generated during the day is used in household or business applications and batteries are charged simultaneously to provide power at night. Also known as Stand-Alone Power System (SAPS), you get an independent power supply for your house or office.
What is Off Grid Solar Power System Working?
The principle of operation for off-grid solar systems is Digital Signal Processors (DSP) that are used to control and monitor type of connection which is either battery or battery loading or Alternating power conversion.
Photovoltaic panels connected to solar systems start working by converting photons from sunlight falling on them into electrical energy. The heat energy absorbed by panels causes a vibration in free-flowing electrons inside the panel, generating Direct Current (DC).
Wires carry this current to the inverter and it converts it into Alternating Current (AC) for household usage. Then through the main distribution panel, this electricity is used by the appliances. Along with powering the appliances, some energy is transferred to batteries to charge them. The charge controller helps with the incoming and outgoing amounts of energy from batteries. What is off grid solar system working? It is pretty much similar to the traditional system.
After sunset, the main distribution panel of your house will start extracting power from batteries to power the house. Batteries with off-grid solar systems are highly efficient to supply power at least from sunset to sunrise.
Also Read: Automatic Street Light Working
What is Off Grid System Component?
There is not a long list of components unlike on-grid or hybrid solar systems but still, off-grid system components are important as per their roles.
1. Backup Generator
It is like your alternative energy source. You may need this during winter when sunlight hours and its intensity is not enough, resulting in less power production. Combining an off-grid solar system with a generator can supply enough power for the energy requirements of your house.
2. Battery Bank
It is an essential component after solar panels. Batteries are like the heart of an off-grid solar system because without them there would not be any storage of energy during the day. You may require a battery efficient enough to store power for 2 days usage in case of cloudy weather.
Also Read: What is Battery Life?
3. Direct Current (DC) Disconnect Switch
They interrupt or complete the flow of Direct Current. In a solar system, the DC disconnect switch is placed between power inverter and solar panels. This switch automatically blows off to prevent solar power supply to prevent electrical mishaps, under certain circumstances. What is off grid solar system without these main components?
4. Mounts and Racks
Since power supply in off-grid systems solely depends on a solar energy you will need durable mounts and racks. Different houses with different types of roofs and their orientation being distinct too increases the requirement of racks and mounts. For maximum exposure to sunlight over solar panels, they are placed at such an angle that they receive every last bit of sunlight before sunset. This increases productivity and your solar panels will be safely mounted.
Also See: 5 Different Types of Solar Mounting Structure
5. Off-Grid Solar Inverter
An off-grid solar inverter is specifically designed for the high-efficiency performance of off-grid solar systems. Since most household or office appliances run on Alternating Current (AC), you will need a solar inverter with an off-grid solar system. Direct Current (DC) generated by solar panels is converted to Alternating Current (AC) by the solar inverter to make it usable by your appliances.
6. Photovoltaic Panels
These are the source of absorbing sunlight to begin the process of electricity generation by the solar system. Monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film (amorphous) are 3 basic solar panels available in the market. Panels generate Direct Current (DC) from solar energy.
7. Solar Charge Controller
It is like a delivery person carrying electricity to different components of the solar system and also serves as a charge regulator for batteries. It ensures the amount of energy received from solar panels does not overload (overcharge) or undercharge and maintains voltage to keep the battery fully charged. It also tops it off when needed. Energy from panels to connected appliances or to inverters for converting into Alternating Current (AC) and then carrying it to appliances all is done by controllers.
What is Off Grid System Price?
Installing a solar system calls for heavy expenses and the ones with batteries are a bit more expensive. The cost of a battery depends on the type and efficiency of the battery you choose for the solar system and that will be a major determinant of the off-grid system price. However, you will have to pay thousands of dollars more for an off-grid solar system. A couple of thousand is enough for a solar panel system, but the additional battery price adds a few more thousand to the bill.
Also See: What Questions to Ask Before Getting Solar Panels?
What is Off Grid System Application?
Off-grid systems can be put to numerous applications both commercial and home use. Other than being the source of basic power supply for fulfilling energy requirements, it is also used for the purposes of communication applications such as satellite relay for:
- Anode protection
- Navigation marks
- Solar pumping system
- Television broadcast
- Weather stations
What is off grid solar system applications? Other innovative uses of off-grid solar systems are in solar vehicles like boats, bikes, drones, scooters, and others.
Also See: 5 Major Uses of Automatic Street Light
What are the Advantages of Off Grid Solar System?
With every individual shifting to solar panels the percentage ratio of dependency on fossil fuels of electricity and other power sources will gradually decrease too. Take a look at the advantages of off grid solar systems mentioned below.
1. Complete Energy Independence
Grid connection is not that bad but still, you cannot predict a power outage and this can be inconvenient also. But with the off-grid solar system, your house is not connected to the main power line hence you will not face any power outages like others.
What about weather disturbances? I know you are concerned about it but on cloudy days, storms, rains, snowfalls, or heatwaves may influence the output a bit, but your house will have a power supply from stored energy in batteries. If maintained properly, you will have enough power to run your household appliances.
Note: The number and types of appliances you want to run depending on the battery efficiency that varies by model, manufacturer, and life.
2. Easy Alternative for Rural Areas
Off-grid solar systems are also advantageous to residents of rural areas as these locations often face blackouts. With an off-grid solar system, you will have peace of mind since you no longer need to worry about managing chores before there is another electricity-related issue.
It is one of the major issues faced by people in rural areas. Connection to the main power grid is expensive and sometimes difficult due to location. Weak and not-so-advanced infrastructure adds to the problem as new technologies cannot be used.
3. Environmentally Friendly
This is another what is off grid solar system advantage. As a nature lover, what brings more content than knowing that you have reduced your carbon footprint and do not contribute towards polluting the environment? With off-grid solar system, you are not at all using any energy generated by non-renewable resources and the solar system itself does not produce any harmful gas or noise to disturb the environment.
We are all well aware that electricity supplied to our houses is generated by burning fossil fuels in huge quantities. But this does not end here because the emission of greenhouse gases leads to global warming.
4. Installation not Restricted by Place
Usually, equipment with on-grid and hybrid solar systems needs to be compatible with the solar system as well as the grid. This requires a particular space with complex functioning. But an off-grid system does not require any grid connection, so the process of installation is not that complex.
5. Relieve from Electricity Bills
Utility bills are always a matter of concern plus increasing electricity charges are adding fuel to fire and setting your wallet ablaze. Well, your utility provider is not guilty here because non-renewable resources are depleting at an alarming rate resulting in the rise in their products, like electricity. But with an off-grid solar system, you can relax because your monthly electricity bill will not be disturbing your budget anymore.
Also Read: 5 Major Advantages of Solar Street Light
What are the Disadvantages of Off Grid Solar System?
Even the best machines have limitations similarly, there are a few disadvantages of off grid solar systems also.
1. Expensive than Other Systems
The initial investment for installing an off-grid solar system is high in comparison to an on-grid solar system. Since the system solely depends on solar energy and battery backup it is essential to get batteries while purchasing a solar system and this account for up to a 30%-40% increase in the initial cost. Also, you need a power generator in case of emergencies when there is not enough output and this adds an extra expense.
Also See: 5 Disadvantages of Solar Water Pumping Systems
2. High Maintenance and Short Life
What is off grid solar system disadvantage? Although solar panels and other components may not require regular maintenance and are easily manageable, batteries wear off with time. Typically, the average lifespan of batteries is somewhere between 5 and 15 years. During this time, they need maintenance to keep up with their performance along with replacement after they die.
3. Installation May Require Legal Permission
It may not sound obvious, but there are some places where it is illegal to entirely disconnect from the utility grid. Without a particular license or installation by a known company, it may not be permitted to connect with an off-grid solar system.
Also See: 13 Common Problems With Solar Panels On Roofs
4. Limited Energy Storage
The entire capacity of your off-grid solar system depends on battery backup, and you need to decide beforehand how much power storage you need to meet the requirements. Due to the limited energy supply, you will have to make some lifestyle adjustments. Also, with limited storage sometimes there may not be enough power supply at night after a cloudy day.
5. No Backup Energy Source
Unlike on-grid solar systems, there is no possibility of tapping the energy into the grid which can be used later on. With off-grid solar systems, you will be short on energy during winter, rain, storm, or other weather-related situations. Once the battery is discharged, you cannot replenish it without solar energy.
Well, what is off grid solar system? Today you discovered that the solar system without any connection to mainline electricity is an off-grid solar system. What is off grid solar power system working? Its working is not much different with the only difference being the transfer of electricity from the solar inverter directly to appliances and not into the grid. It is beneficial as you will no longer be dependent on local utility providers, but it is also not reliable because you may fall short of power on cloudy or such days. However, if you are ready to bear initial expenses with efficient batteries and panels, you may get green energy for your house for longer periods.
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