Living off-grid requires an independent source of power as no mains power is available to use. This off-grid power source could be a fossil fuel generator or a renewable source of energy like wind or solar.
When planning to live off-grid, you must give serious consideration to your off-grid power needs and how you intend to meet them. This includes taking steps to reduce your energy usage.
If you don’t plan ahead, you will probably derail your intentions of living off-grid long term. Even tasks such as showering and flushing the toilet can become quite onerous if you don’t have electricity!
Generators as an Off-Grid Power Source
Some people choose to generate off-grid power through the use of diesel, petrol or gas generators. In addition, they may have a backup of 12-volt batteries for low load uses. Low load uses include lighting at night-time when generators are too noisy to run.
There are many types of generators available. The one which is most suitable for your off-grid power needs will depend on your budget. Often generators with traditional pull start engines are the cheapest to buy.
Electric start models are more expensive. They vary from basic electric ignitions to remote control and auto starters. Some models can detect high usage from your inverter or low battery levels. These models will automatically start the generator to supplement the load when required.
If it is raining, or late at night, the last thing you want to do is head out to fire up the generator. So, if you can afford an auto-start generator, it is worth paying extra for it. You will appreciate having it in the long run.
The problem with using generators as an off-grid power source is they require fossil fuels to operate. Burning fossil fuels releases harmful greenhouse gases into our atmosphere. Therefore, we prefer to use a renewable source of off-grid power, when possible.
Solar Power
We satisfy most of our off-grid power needs with solar power. We have a row of solar panels on our roof, batteries for storage, and an inverter so we can use 240-volt appliances.
Sustainable forms of off-grid power, like solar panels, are becoming more popular. They are also a better choice for the environment. Many places enjoy a large portion of the day filled with sunlight and can take advantage of solar panels.
Giving proper consideration to the type of panels you purchase is important. On cloudy days, or if you get limited direct sunlight, panels that absorb ambient light at higher rates make a huge difference. Therefore, paying a bit more money for panels now will be worth it later.
Purchasing solar panels may seem expensive compared with buying a generator, but they are a long-term investment. You can buy a decent number of solar panels for the same price as a generator. There are also no recurring costs for fuel.
Even when you consider the cost of batteries and inverters, solar is a more cost-effective option than buying fossil fuels long term. With the rising cost of fuels and the reduction in the price of solar equipment due to the demand in the market, solar is the way forward.
Wind Power
Wind turbines are also a great source of renewable energy. Output depends upon the area in which you live. Like solar panels, wind turbines are restricted by the exposure to the element they need to produce off-grid power.
Locations that are close to shorelines or mountain ranges are usually quite windy. This is due to convection from the rising and falling air and surface temperatures. Areas prone to thunderstorms also have more wind that can be harnessed for off-grid power.
Having a combination of solar and wind power is a great match. Sunlight is captured during daylight hours, and wind turbines add extra power whenever there is movement in the air. This can include night-time.
During twilight, wind speeds can pick up as the atmosphere is heating up or cooling down. This adds an extra boost to the system when the solar panels aren’t getting much sun. Also, storm fronts bring an increase in wind activity that can supplement the lack of sunlight due to clouds.
Hydro-Electric Power
Hydro-electric technology is known for producing power on a large scale. However, it can also be used on a smaller scale as an off-grid power source. Micro hydro-electricity just requires running water and a turbine to generate electricity.
Of course, you will need access to a flowing body of water to harness the energy. But if you do have a creek or stream on your property, it can be a consistent source of off-grid power.
The initial installation of a hydro-electric power system can be expensive, but it is cost-effective long term. In some cases, a good water source could provide enough electricity to power your entire home.
One of the biggest advantages of a hydro-electric power system is that it is not dependent on the weather, like solar and wind power. Power is produced 24 hours a day (unless your water source is seasonal). As a result, you are likely to need fewer batteries to store energy.
Off-Grid Power Storage
Power storage is essential when using renewables. Life doesn’t stop on windless days or after the sun goes down! The most important part of any off-grid power system is how to store for times when it cannot be generated.
Batteries allow us to store the oversupply of energy created during the day to continue using it at night. Spending a bit of extra time considering which batteries to purchase is very important. You should buy the best you can afford.
There are a wide range of batteries from carbon cell through to liquid cell and lithium cell batteries. Things to consider include the capacity, ease of charge, and life expectancy of the cells you purchase. Most lithium and large liquid batteries for solar systems have a life expectancy of about ten years.
It is also a good idea to have more storage than you need as a backup for those still, cloudy or rainy days. You will appreciate the extra storage when it has been raining for a week, and you want to take a shower!
12 Volt v 240 Volt
Another thing to consider is whether you use 12 volt or 120/240 volt electrical goods in your home. This decision will also determine the type of solar cells and batteries that you will need to buy.
Installing 12-volt appliances like fridges, TVs and lights will allow you to run a full 12-volt system. This means you will not need an inverter to change the power up to 120 or 240 volts. You can also buy 12-volt panels and batteries. These are the standard for camping and motorhome setups.
This can be a cheaper option for establishing some off-grid power for your home. It allows you to buy marine or car batteries to store your energy in. However, at the same time, it can limit the use of 120/240 volt products.
12-volt items, such as fridges, are around one third more expensive than 240-volt ones (per litre of capacity). Also, you will have to buy a small inverter to power any device or item that is not 12-volt.
Battery-Powered Devices
Battery usage isn’t just for storage of your off-grid power. A lot of electrical devices come with a battery-powered option. You can kit out your whole house with battery-operated devices. From vacuum cleaners and stereos to power tools and gardening equipment.
Having battery powered devices allows you to accomplish most tasks without fear of draining the batteries for your home. Charging the batteries during times of peak sunlight or high winds also makes sure you utilise the maximum amount of energy available.
Battery-powered items can be as good as their non-battery powered friends. Electric motors produce large amounts of torque. They make jobs like mowing the lawn or using a chainsaw just as easy as petrol-powered motors. The only let down can be the capacity of some batteries.
Also, having a range of battery-powered tools by the same manufacturer allows you to use the same battery. This can save a lot of space by reducing clutter from multiple batteries and chargers.
Backup Off-Grid Power
Although our solar system meets most of our off-grid power needs, we do have a backup generator. This is a last resort item as it burns up fossil fuels, but it can be a lifesaver.
Unless you have an oversized system, there will always be times when you need extra power. Having a larger capacity generator is the best option. It allows you to have minimal running time for high output and a quick charge of the battery bank.
We have a six KVA petrol generator. We can charge our batteries close to full in approximately one hour. This allows us to charge up the system at times of heavy load with no available renewables. We can then continue to use power without having the generator running for long hours.
Most decent inverters for off-grid power systems come with a built-in terminal for auto-start generators. They use a low current sensor to trigger the start of the generator when power is too low. However, you will need a generator with auto-start capabilities to utilise this feature.
Reducing Energy Use
As you can see, there are a number of options for establishing your own off-grid power source. The choice you make will be dependent upon your location and your budget.
Regardless of the source of your off-grid power, reducing energy consumption is an integral part of any successful off-grid life. If you use the power that you have more efficiently, you will not need to generate as much.
You can achieve this by installing energy-efficient devices and insulation. It is also important to make changes to your lifestyle. Simple things like ditching the air-conditioning and turning off lights or appliances can make a big difference. By reducing your energy requirements you are more likely to succeed in your off-grid dream.
