Off Grid

In contrasting the on grid configuration, off grid does not typically utilize micro inverters and will instead have a charge controller that supplies power from the solar panels to the battery or batteries, which will then power the inverter that then powers the location. Off grid configurations will work during a power outage and do not supply power to the grid. These systems tend to be costly due to the large batteries used to power homes/businesses/etc. The more things one wants to power, the more expensive the system (more batteries, larger inverter, more charge controllers, more panels). There are numerous advantages to the cost disadvantage, not only having power during an outage, but also avoiding some of the supply fees from the utility company (in my case, the electricity supply is cheaper than the costs to transmit the power!) See image below...

I don't know about you, but this really makes me mad to see! Why do I need to pay twice for the same electricity?!? The introduction of customers getting to choose their electric utility supply is only part of the cost...the original provider still has the ability to collect significant fees.

This was one of my original motivations to start going off of the grid and it might cost me tens of thousands of dollars to do it, but it is better than paying them to have lines in existence. Another perk to having control of your own power, is that you can shut off power when you want or need to do maintenance or smarten up your home. This could also be accomplished with a whole house disconnect, but we're looking for positives here :P

More soon(ish)...