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Living off the Grid

Korero mai, Let's talk solar together

Systems Unique for You and Your Whānau

Whether you live in a rural location without reliable grid access, or simply want to be more independent off the grid, we have an off-grid solar system to suit you. More and more customers are choosing to go off-grid, simply to gain complete energy independence, while protecting themselves against rising electricity prices from power companies.

Better for the Environment and Your Wallet

Off-grid solar power means no more monthly bills – just clean, reliable, and sustainable energy generated on your property. Unlike grid solar power, which supplements your existing connection, an off-grid system is entirely independent of the power grid.

The key to a successful off-grid solar power system is finding the perfect balance between the maximum amount of solar energy you can generate and how much you can store. It’s important to consider all electrical appliances that the entire household uses daily. Going off-grid with solar energy will come with some lifestyle changes, such as consciously consuming less energy. This is because you will have a limited daily power supply. Upscaling your system to larger battery storage is a great idea; however, these are an extra expense.

The most important step in designing and sizing an off-grid solar power system is to determine what your energy load is. We offer a range of off-grid solar systems to meet most households, tiny homes or cabins’ budgets. 

Our off-grid systems are designed to run most loads, for example, lights, small energy-efficient fridge/freezer TV, laptops, mobile devices, a small jug, and a small water pump. If you would like to run more loads we suggest adding more panels to the system or using your heavier loads when the sun is out and not during the evening. 

 

Off Grid Solar Assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is off grid solar?

    Installing a solar system to power your home or business and going completely off the grid (off grid) means you do not have a connection to the local power network.  It’s a good option for people where the cost to connect to the local network is excessive or you simply want to be independent of the grid and reduce your ongoing living expenses (power bills).

     

    This option can be more costly as you will require a battery system so the power generated by the solar panels during the day can be stored and then used when the sun isn’t shining. For this reason, the battery storage is generally larger than grid connected scenarios, to provide enough power in case of long periods of no sunshine. We encourage our customers to purchase a back-up inverter generator.

  • I live in the city, connected to the grid. Can I run my home completely off the grid?

    Yes.  Depending on your local power network, disconnecting from the grid is free, however there are costs to reconnect, so it’s important this is factored in when making this decision.

    The key difference between on grid and off grid, is the connection to the local power network.  When you’re on grid and have insufficient solar power available, your home will be powered from the grid and charged on your power bill from your electricity retailer.  When you’re off grid and don’t have sufficient solar power (generated from the solar panels or stored in batteries), your home will have no power unless you have a back-up inverter generator.