| Company | Customer rating | Warranty | Financing options | Availability | Battery options | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Sunrun | Get Started | 4.3 | Varies by system | Cash, loan, lease | 13 states | Varies by state |
 Elevation | Learn More | 4.2 | 25+ years (product and labor) | Not disclosed | Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada and Texas | Tesla, Enphase 5P |
 ShopSolar | Learn More | 4.6 | Varies | Cash, loan | Nationwide | Many |
 Tesla Energy | Learn More | 2.0 | 10 years (system), 25 years (solar panels) | Cash, loan and lease | 50 states | Powerwall |
Our top 4 off-grid solar energy system providers
- Warranty
- Varies by system
- Payment options
- Cash, loan, lease
- Availability
- 13 states
- Battery options
- Varies by state
- Warranty
- 25+ years (product and labor)
- Payment options
- Not disclosed
- Availability
- Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada and Texas
- Battery options
- Tesla, Enphase 5P
- Warranty
- Varies
- Payment options
- Cash, loan
- Availability
- Nationwide
- Battery options
- Many
- Warranty
- 10 years (system), 25 years (solar panels)
- Payment options
- Cash, loan and lease
- Availability
- 50 states
- Battery options
- Powerwall
How does an off-grid solar system work?
If you want an off-grid solar system, it’s vital to clarify whether you can or should purchase a grid-tied “hybrid” system or something else entirely.
As Michael Waine, an environmental science and technology teacher, explained: “An off-grid solar system works completely independent of the grid. Most solar you see today is tied into the grid so that it doesn't have to use a battery.”
Most solar you see today is tied into the grid so that it doesn't have to use a battery. ”
Truly “off-grid” solar systems are commonly installed on remote properties or in RVs or boats, where all the solar energy is stored onsite. The majority of residential solar systems, however, are grid-tied and send the excess power they produce to the electric utility. By adding solar storage, grid-tied systems become “hybrid” systems that can send excess power from the panels to a battery.
Is your home on the grid now?
National and local regulations often prevent already connected homes from going fully off the grid, even with solar and battery systems.
Existing homes connected to the grid typically need to stay on the grid, but there are still many incentives for grid-tied solar systems to include battery storage. By pivoting between on- and off-grid power, solar batteries increase energy independence and prepare homeowners for blackouts, which is why the majority of today’s top installers now offer storage solutions.
How much does an off-grid solar system cost?
The total cost of an off-grid solar system can vary greatly depending on its components’ capacity to generate and store large amounts of solar electricity. Considering the five-figure costs of high-wattage solar panel arrays and heavy-duty lithium-ion batteries, putting together a full-home off-grid solar system generally costs between $25,000 and $50,000.
Waine explained: “A basic off-grid solar setup might cost a few thousand dollars to power some lights, a fridge and a few other things. But if you want to power an entire house, especially one with air conditioning, you're looking at a much bigger investment, $20,000 at the very least, I’d say.”
The more sunlight your area gets, the fewer panels you’ll need — and the lower your installation and maintenance costs.
If you want to design a smaller off-grid solar system for basic necessities, it may be possible to do so without such high upfront costs. With a single solar panel and a small portable solar generator (equipped with a battery, charge controller and inverter), you can create a small but reliable off-grid solar system for under $1,000.
When looking to cut costs, it is important to pay attention to warranties and how long your solar batteries will last. While it may be tempting to purchase a cheaper lead acid solar battery, lithium-ion storage is now considered much more cost-effective in both its daily performance and lifetime value.
For fully off-grid systems, in which building permits or utility interconnections aren’t required, doing your own labor can also help reduce your total investment. As Waine explained, “You can save a lot of money if you install some of it yourself. I'm not saying it's recommended for everybody, but batteries are pretty expensive, so it helps if you can cut costs somewhere along the way.”
» CALCULATE: How much do solar batteries cost?
FAQ
Which solar system is best for my home: grid-tied or off-grid?
For the majority of homeowners in the U.S., a grid-tied solar energy system may be sufficient to achieve electricity savings with the lowest total investment costs. However, adding a solar battery comes with many benefits, allowing homes to temporarily pivot from grid power.
While an off-grid system may be the only choice for some isolated properties, disconnecting from the grid is not permitted by local utilities and building authorities in most densely populated areas.
How big of a solar system do I need to go off-grid?
What size solar system you need to go off the grid depends on two things: the total wattage of your solar panels and the energy storage capacity of your battery bank. For both measurements, you want to have enough daily electricity generated and stored to run your property’s lights, appliances and electronics. There are many off-grid solar system size calculators available online.
What are the downsides to an off-grid solar system?
Off-grid solar systems are typically costly to install and can be significantly more expensive than on-grid systems. Additionally, off-grid solar systems are unable to connect to the grid. This means if there are any battery charge issues, the grid will be inaccessible and you may be without power. And, depending on the average weather where you live, energy levels can fluctuate.
How many batteries do I need to go off-grid?
The number of batteries you need to go off-grid depends on the daily energy demand of your home as well as the amount of electricity your panels generate each day. Today, batteries like the Tesla Powerwall are large enough to take small homes off of the grid, though most properties require multiple units to achieve complete self-sustainability.
As a rule of thumb, experts advise installing enough solar batteries to store approximately two to three full days’ worth of your property’s electricity use.
Article sources
ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:
- Unbound Solar, “Off-Grid Solar System Sizing Calculator.” Accessed March 17, 2026.
