If you are interested in having a solar power system installed in your home, it is important to know what you will need. The heart of any solar system, whether off or on-grid, is the inverter. To ensure that you select the right one for your system, it is vital to understand its features, how…
When I think about off-grid living, I think about getting back to basics and having to save every penny. But, does taking your home off-grid mean that you must give up on luxury altogether? Going off-grid can be expensive, so it can be necessary to make tough decisions about what you need. However, recent developments…
Large solar arrays are often used to supply homes and businesses with electricity, but what can you do with the small ones? Are they useful or just a gimmick? A small solar panel is a convenient, inexpensive way to use solar power. With only a little technical know-how, you can charge batteries, heat water, boost…
When considering solar panels, you may find yourself wondering what ‘off-grid solar’ actually means. ‘Off-grid solar system’ means a system of solar panels detached from any electrical utility. They usually include solar panels, batteries, an inverter, and a charge controller and are used to power a home or several appliances. An off-grid system is often…
The thought of going off-grid is exciting, but it also requires money, commitment, and hard work. What are the challenges faced when you take your home off-grid? The challenges provided by an off-grid lifestyle depend on your location, your mindset, and the resources available to you. Many of them can be overcome with resilience, determination, planning,…
If you don’t have access to mains sewerage or want to make your home completely independent, you will need to find an effective way of disposing of your waste. Household wastewater fits into two categories: Greywater – from washing machines, sinks, tubs, and showers. It needs minimal treatment before it can be leached into the…
Solar panels are a great way to save money on your utility bills, but what is the difference between off and on-grid systems? On-grid solar panels are connected to a local power utility via the grid. They feed back any excess energy into the network, and the grid makes up any shortfall. Off-grid panels are…
Wells are a fantastic way to supply water to your off-grid home, but they aren’t always practical. If you don’t have the space or money to install one, what else can you do to get an off-grid water supply? Without a well, the best off-grid water supply is from rainwater. One inch of rain falling…
Recently, I’ve seen the terms ‘solar panels’ and ‘photovoltaic cells’ used interchangeably, but do they refer to the same thing? Solar panels and photovoltaic cells (PV cells) refer to different parts of the same system. A PV cell is a single unit that contains layers of silicon semiconductors. When you exposed them to sunlight, loose…
When I think about generating off-grid electricity, I automatically think of solar power. But is that my only option? I did my research and several different ways to run an off-grid home. 8 ways to generate electricity off-grid: Solar panels Solar roof tiles Wind power Microhydro Micro CHP unit Biomass generator Gas generator Diesel generator…