Best off grid solar systems

Our top 4 off-grid solar energy system providers

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.”

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 essential infrastructure regulations often make going completely “off the grid” difficult for properties that are already interconnected. While homeowners can adopt a fully self-sustainable solar energy and battery storage system to minimize or completely eliminate utility power consumption, homes already connected to the grid will likely need to remain as such.

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.

» MORE: What is an off-grid solar system?

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.

» MORE: How much do solar panels cost?

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.”

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 even create a small but reliable off-grid solar system for under $1,000.

The more sunshine there is where you live, the fewer solar panels you’ll need. If you live in an area with lots of sunlight, the cost of solar panel installation and maintenance costs can be much less expensive.

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, choosing to do 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?