Interested in learning about off grid solar systems? Have you ever wanted a self-sufficient home? Can a home generate most of its electricity without being connected to the power grid? Well, it is 100% possible with solar energy.
A house can run on solar power alone; however, it requires a lot of planning and determination.
Solar power has become a hot topic in recent years as the world is struggling with climate change. Getting solar power installed in your home will save on your electricity bills while also keeping CO2 out of the atmosphere.
There are three main types of solar power systems. Off grid solar, on grid solar and hybrid grid solar. Among them, the off grid solar systems are a new and growing industry that is making a lot of people excited.
Solar systems are an excellent way to provide power for a household, or even an entire community. However, before installing an off grid solar system, you need to consider some aspects. Hopefully here you will get some ideas for running your home using solar energy.
You Have to Determine the Power that Your Home Needs Every Month
This is important information that will help you and your installer determine how much energy has to be produced from the solar panels. The easiest way to figure this out is to look at your old electricity bills.
While considering the amount of energy you want from the solar panels, it’s a good idea to check several months of electricity bills. This is because electric bills vary from season to season. You may need some more energy in a particular month, and in this situation your solar batteries will play a vital role.
In addition, sometimes in bad weather the sun won’t shine enough bright or as long as your solar needs to charge. At that time the batteries allow us to use the stored energy that was gained on those long sunny days.
Lastly, if you want to rely entirely on an off-grid solar system, you should carefully estimate the energy you need throughout the year. This will help you to use less stored battery power and keep your day hassle free.
You Must Have Space in Your Home for Solar System Batteries
When you’ve decided to install an off grid solar system in your home, you are going to need to know how much space you need to install the solar panels. The answer, of course, depends on a number of factors. Such as,
- Whether you want to install solar panels on your roof
- How high you want your solar panels to be
- Amount of shade your roof takes
- Which solar system you want to install
- Your home’s geographic location
In order to install solar systems for off grid living, you have to have enough usable space for the entire solar project. Experts say, a 330W solar panel covers around 20 square feet. However, a home normally uses between 5kW to 20kW solar power. This means if you want to run 100% with off-grid solar systems, you will need 315 square feet to 1,195 square feet. Of course, the solar system will need to be set in a sunny place, so that it can fully meet your electricity needs.
As you may know, all roofs will not give you an equal solar power supply throughout the day. The north facing rooftops receive less sunshine. In this situation, you’ll need to add a few extra panels to fulfill your energy consumption needs.
On the other hand, ground-mounted solar panels are perfect for installing in an advantageous position and direction, which is impossible with a roof-mounted solar system.
Consider the Seasonal Weather Conditions in Your Area
When you are planning to install a solar panel that will supply power to your entire home you should consider your area’s weather. Make sure your home has enough sunlight throughout the year to produce enough energy.
Make sure Your Home is not Surrounded by Trees and High Buildings
Trees and high rise buildings add obstructions to our solar systems and cause problems that affect the entire system. Without these obstructions, the solar system produces more energy.
In many cases, the trees themselves aren’t very tall, but their leaves create a canopy that blocks out light from the solar panels. Make sure your solar panel is free from the trees and high-rise buildings. Otherwise, it will reduce the amount of energy that can be stored.
Off Grid Solar Systems
Off grid solar systems are an approach to renewable energy that allows energy to be generated from renewable sources not connected to the grid. Instead the solar panels are connected to a battery bank system so that the electricity is stored for use over the day or night.
On Grid Solar Systems
On grid solar systems are systems that are connected directly to the electric grid. They can also have a battery that stores solar energy and converts it into power, such as for your home’s energy use. On grid solar systems are designed to harness solar power instead of relying on the power grid.
Off Grid Solar Systems vs On Grid Solar Systems
Solar energy has long been an attractive alternative to fossil fuels, both for its environmental benefits and financial savings. If you want a completely solar powered home, you can go with both on grid or off grid solar systems.
“Off grid solar systems” are solar technologies that are placed on the top of a home. The main purpose of these systems is to supply the power needs of a house while it is not connected to the power grid. The only drawback is that they have to fully rely on the sun to power your home. But with on grid solar systems, you don’t have to do that. When the sun shines, it can charge a battery, which can then be used to power your home. Off grid systems require a heavy-duty battery to store all the energy created and used by the system.
Grid tied solar systems, on the other hand, use the energy produced on the grid, which makes them less expensive than off grid systems, but far easier to install and maintain.
Should You Consider Off Grid Solar for Your Home?
Solar power is an option for you if you live in areas that provide enough sunshine. As more people realise the importance of protecting the environment and are encouraged to look for alternatives to fossil fuels, solar power has become a popular way to generate clean energy. Make sure to hire a trustworthy solar installer to do the job.
For more information, see the Clean Energy Council solar buyers guide and the Australian Government solar PV and batteries.
What to Consider Before Going Off-Grid on the Mid North Coast
The Mid North Coast of NSW is one of the better regions in Australia for off-grid solar. Long daylight hours through spring and summer mean your panels generate strong output for most of the year. Even during winter, the region avoids the heavy overcast stretches that plague southern states.
That said, going fully off-grid is not a plug-and-play decision. You need to account for your household’s peak energy demand, not just your average usage. A family running air conditioning, a pool pump, and an electric hot water system will need a significantly larger solar battery bank than a couple heating with gas.
Before disconnecting from the grid, work through this checklist:
- Audit your energy bills for the last 12 months to find your peak daily usage
- Factor in seasonal variation, especially winter months when solar generation drops
- Size your battery storage to cover at least two consecutive cloudy days
- Consider a backup generator for extended poor weather periods
- Check your roof orientation and shading, as north-facing panels perform best
- Budget for ongoing maintenance, including battery replacement every 10 to 15 years
You should also think about your hot water system. Switching from gas to a heat pump hot water unit powered by solar can eliminate one of your largest energy costs entirely. It is one of the simplest upgrades that makes off-grid living more achievable.
What This Means for Mid North Coast Homeowners
The Mid North Coast is one of the best regions in Australia for solar. With around 5.2 peak sun hours per day and rising electricity prices, the numbers keep improving for homeowners who go solar.
- High solar yield: Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, and surrounding areas receive consistent sunlight year-round. Even in winter, a well-sized system produces enough to cover most daytime usage.
- Rising grid costs: Electricity prices on the Mid North Coast have increased by more than 20% over the past three years. Solar locks in a fixed energy cost for 25 years.
- Strong feed-in tariffs are gone: The days of generous feed-in rates are over. Self-consumption is now the key to savings, which makes system sizing and battery storage more important than ever.
- Local installers matter: When something goes wrong, you want an installer who can be on your roof the same week, not a company based in Sydney or Melbourne.
SolaXs has been installing and servicing solar systems in the Port Macquarie region for over 25 years. Get a free quote tailored to your property and energy usage.
Many homeowners on the Mid North Coast find that a hybrid system offers the best of both worlds. You generate and store your own power while keeping a grid connection as a safety net. This avoids the need for massive battery banks while still slashing your electricity bills. Get in touch with SolaXs to discuss whether off-grid or hybrid makes more sense for your property.