Knowing When It Is Time To Move Off-Grid
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by: DaleGreen | Total views: 142 | Word Count: 571
A stand-alone off-grid system is any type of renewable electricity system that is completely independent of the utility grid. Although this may sound like a dream come true, collecting all of the actual facts can help you to determine whether this is the best move for you.
Setting up an off-grid system means you are going to generate your own supply of electricity apart from the utility grid. You will no longer use the services and utility as provided by the utility grid. In case you lose electrical power due to malfunctions, you yourself will be the one to resolve it because you no longer have the access to the services provided by the utility company.
You might be thinking that by setting up an off-grid system for electrical supply you can save money or lessen utility bills. This may not happen because the process of generating your own power would mean you will spend more money for the essential tools and machine. The battery, the engine generator, and the operating costs are all very expensive.
The battery usually costs thousands of dollars and will only last for about fifteen years in operation. Since the energy comes from the sun, there will be ore energy to store in a day that may overcharge the batteries if batteries are not large enough. To avoid this, you will need charge regulators for the battery. What will happen to the stored energy that has not been used? Moving to off-grid system will require you to move your schedules as well to be able to catch up with the peak times of the supply. All these considerations and expenses do not correspond to your goal of saving money.
Renewable energy through the off-grid system may not be the practical solution. There are times that you will have to use a backup generator just to keep the supply of electricity going. At times when power is not available, you will not be able to use your appliances. This may cause damage to your appliances.
Maintenance and labor are other factors that need to be considered in going off-grid for the sake of independence. If you are not mechanically inclined or have a basic knowledge of electricity and your renewable system, it is not going to take you long to get stuck on a problem. I probably wouldn't be a bad idea to sign up for some basic classes in wind and solar power, basic electricity and industrial batteries, their care and use.
Getting an independent off-grid system of electricity supply for your own home is really possible. If you have the money for the initial expenses you can easily set up your system. But if your budget is not enough, maybe it is not yet the right time to move to off-grid system. For the mean time, use the system that is grid-tied for your electrical supply while you are still making up for the off-grid one. When you have learned everything you have to know, you might be able to set up your stand-alone-off-grid system at affordable costs.
A battery less grid-tie system is recommended for those just getting their feet wet. An inverter is connected to the utility grid, no backup batteries and your surplus energy goes to the utility. Add the backup battery after you are comfortable and move on from there. Who knows, maybe the costs will continue to decrease and you will find yourself spending less money, too.
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