Benefits of an Off-Grid Solar Power System

If you are interested in investing in a solar power system for your residential or commercial property you probably know that there are two broad categories that you can choose to go with; these being grid connected or off-grid systems.

Grid connected systems, as the name implies, are solar power systems which are wired into the main power grid and therefore come with various benefits and downfalls. If you are interested in taking advantage of various remaining financial incentive programs which are still on offer, then this is the option for you, as if you are eligible for any of these solar rebate schemes, you stand to make financial gain from your system on top of the reduced power bills.

Off-grid power systems appeal to others who want to gain complete independence from the main power grid. This can be the preferred option for various reasons, such as remoteness of location. Many individuals or households who choose to go with an off-grid solar power solution find that it makes financial sense to do so because of the high cost of grid connection in extremely remote locations. Others choose off-grid solar because they feel the urge to be completely independent of the main power grid and drastically reduce their carbon footprint and culpability for global warming and climate change.

Off-grid solar power systems can initially involve higher start-up costs due to more panels being necessary as well as several high-capacity, deep-cycle batteries which are used to store excess power during high yield periods during the day for use when solar energy is not available later in the night.

There are certainly some downfalls involved with off-grid solar; these involve the complete dependence that is placed on the system. With a grid connected system, if you use more power than your system has generated through the day you simply begin to tap into the grid's power supply, whereas with an off grid system if you happen to use more power than your system can generate you don't have any options left. This means that more forethought is necessary before investing in an off-grid system, you should consult with an electrician to find a system which best suits your needs, and during times of low power yields or cloudy weather increased energy efficiency measures and rationing of power may be necessary.

Nevertheless, a well planned off-grid solar power system is an excellent investment for many rural or remote residential and commercial properties, the savings can be enormous not to mention the benefits to the environment. So start doing some research and see if an off-grid solar power system could be right for you.