Off Grid Solar Power System

What is an Off Grid or Stand Alone Solar Power System?  This type of Solar System is not connected to the Mains Power Grid. An Off Grid System does have batteries.  In fact this type of system must have batteries.  Over many years we have been using “Lead Acid” batteries for energy storage but no things have changed.  We have been using lithium batteries for a while with great results.   Most recently we have installed some super Capacitors.

The Off Grid or Stand Alone Solar System normally collects its energy from Solar Panels.  It can also get energy from the wind via a wind turbine of some sort, or from moving water via a water turbine. All of these energy sources can be utilised but this will depend on what is available where you live.  Here in northern Victoria were we live, solar power is the best source of renewable energy, so that is what we use. So the energy collected is stored in the bank of batteries. This power is available at all times for the consumption of the loads in your house.

Some items such as lights can consume this power directly from the batteries. Others, like the refrigerator or TV need to consume the power via an inverter.  This inverter converts the Direct Current power from the batteries into Alternating Current power ( 230 volts AC) that is compatible with the TV and refrigerator.  Each day the sun shines and tops up the batteries so there is always power available.  We design these systems so that if the sun does not shine for two or three days, you still have power.  Beyond that time a back-up generator will be required to top up the batteries.

See our gallery for photos of our Off Grid solar installations.