Solar Energy: Is Going Off-Grid an Affordable Option For You?
If you were to install solar panels on your home, could you just go “off grid” and do away with the electric company completely? Being totally independent is a tempting idea. No more high power bills. No further headaches with the energy company for any reason. Can you embrace this notion for your family? Should you? It depends on your location, and the costs that you’re willing to commit to maintain your own energy system.
Net Metering or Back-Up System with Solar Panels
First First of all|Firstly], consider your location. Does your part of the world get a lot of sunshine, or is it overcast a lot of the time? As a result, you will require batteries for storing electricity to use at night and on cloudy days.
That’s where it starts to get costly. You’ll have to buy and maintain the amount of large DC (direct current) batteries necessary to store one to three days worth of electricity for cloudy days. You’ll need ample storage space for that many batteries and you’ll also need to be prepared to replace them periodically.
Construct Your Own Off-Grid Power
It’s also a good idea to keep a backup generator just in case you have a long stretch of overcast weather that depletes your battery supply. The generator will need fuel, so you’ll have to store that, too. Usually generators use gas or diesel fuel. But that seems to defeat the purpose of a solar panel system, so you’ll probably want to use biodiesel. So, yes, it is possible to go “off grid”, but it’s not a simple or inexpensive undertaking.
A more feasible solution may be “net metering.” You can check to see if your local utility company offers this program. Net metering is a great way to reduce your electricity costs, and still have power available at night and during long spells of gray, cloudy weather. Net metering allows you to get credits back from the electric company for excess electricity that your solar panels produce during the day. Then you simply use the electricity from your local power company at night and on days when there is not enough direct sunlight. You wouldn’t need to store banks of DC batteries in your basement or garage. You won’t be totally “off grid”, but you can save a significant amount of money on your monthly electric bills. Some months you may even have a zero balance.
Using DIY Towards Off-Grid Household Solar Energy Installation
So if you live in a very sunny area, with lots of extra room to store batteries, living “off grid” might be feasible for you. But if you live in a small place, have no large storage space, and you’re already parking your car on the street because the garage is too full, “net metering” will probably be your best bet.
