What You Should Know About Off-Grid Solar Systems

Solar panels give homes and businesses a chance to create clean, consistent energy for daily needs. People frequently turn to solar energy to save money on energy bills. That said, it’s important to know that going solar means more than buying some panels and putting them on your roof.

When you learn more about the way solar technology works, you can find a system that suits your daily needs. For example, you can choose an off-grid or grid-tied solar power system, depending on what you’re looking for in a solar energy setup. Check out this guide to learn what you should know about off-grid solar systems before investing in solar energy for your home or business.

What Does It Mean?

Let’s start by defining what it means to choose an off-grid system for generating solar power. You may also hear this type of system referred to as “standalone” and assume the panels themselves help you become completely independent from the power grid. However, the way you work with a solar energy expert to install these panels impacts your structure’s reliance on the grid after the installation.

Some solar panels tie into the electrical grid to offload excess power. This means your solar panels still rely on local utilities to function, and a blackout will result in the system shutting down. Thankfully, off-grid solar panels make homes and businesses completely self-sufficient when generating and storing power. Next, we’ll detail the equipment you’ll need for an off-grid solar energy system and how it helps you achieve your electricity-generating needs every day.

Off-Grid Components

The key components of off-grid solar systems include the solar panels, batteries, charge controllers, and inverters. The solar panels absorb sunlight, and the system converts that into electricity. The solar system’s battery acts as a storage unit for the converted electricity. As long as you have electricity in that battery, your home will have power. Instead of sending excess electricity back into the grid, your standalone systems store extra power in the battery for later. Using solar energy at home requires converting DC (direct current) electricity into AC (alternating current) electricity. This is where the inverter comes in handy.

Your solar system’s inverter pulls power from the solar battery, converts it into AC electricity, and makes it available for daily use. There is still one more component we have yet to discuss: the charge controller. Your charge controller regulates the flow of electricity from your solar panels to the battery. The charge controller is important because it controls how much electricity enters the battery throughout the day. It prevents your battery from overcharging. Now that you understand how the hardware works, let’s examine what your access to power will look like with off-site rather than grid-tied solar systems.

Consistent Access to Power

As mentioned, grid-tied solar systems will shut down during blackouts. The good news is that standalone solar systems offer an alternative power source, so businesses and homes can remain functional when the power goes out in the area. The solar battery is your on-site storage for solar power, so it supplies your electricity. When a blackout strikes the local grid, your battery will remain totally unaffected because it is separate from the power grid.

You can have more peace of mind when blackouts occur because they won’t ruin your relaxing day at home or your work day whatsoever. Installing a high-quality, off-grid solar system means you will always have power to rely on at home or work.

Keep in mind that a functional off-grid solar system requires regular maintenance after the installation. Let’s dive into the upkeep necessities for your off-grid solar system.

Routine On-Site Maintenance

Off-grid solar systems require consistent maintenance, but don’t worry! Your solar panel installers are available to inspect your solar system when you suspect it is experiencing issues. For instance, they may provide maintenance services where they visit and troubleshoot any issues with your solar power system. You can also follow a few easy steps to monitor the quality of your system.

Checking your off-grid monitoring system is easy to do on personal devices, such as smartphones. Keep an eye on your energy bills because unexpected increases in payments are clear signs that the system is not working efficiently. If you’re unsure about the cause of the issue, looking at your power supply is a great place to start.

You can inspect your solar panels to ensure they aren’t covered by debris, dirt, and other obstructions. Leaves, sticks, and pollen covering the panels will hinder their ability to absorb sunlight, so frequently inspect the panels. If a storm hits, check the panels after it blows over to ensure no branches and natural debris are covering them. Anytime you need assistance performing maintenance on solar systems safely, reach out to the installers.

Schedule professional inspections once a year so you can keep your system intact. The inspection will highlight repair and cleaning opportunities. Work with professional solar panel repair specialists and cleaning crews so you can maximize your system’s efficiency.

Partnering With Professionals

As you can see, understanding what you should know about off-grid solar systems isn’t too complex but requires you to do your research before purchasing. You should be aware of all the details to make an informed purchase. After all, solar systems have a large impact on the properties they power, so you should find a system that meets your needs. Now that you have a strong grasp of how off-grid solar systems perform versus grid-tied systems, you can choose the best option for your home or commercial building. Make sure to partner with a reputable company that has experience with solar power so your daily energy use improves.

Off-grid solar systems affect how you power your home or business, but poor-quality installation can lead to substantial problems. At Creative Energies, we specialize in installing and maintaining standalone solar power systems so you can have a hassle-free experience with renewable energy. Talk to one of our experts today to get the ball rolling on your endeavor into solar energy, whether it’s for your home, business, or both!

Click here to watch a quick video that explains how an off-grid solar system works.