Solar Energy: Can You Go Off the Grid Now?
If you fix solar panels on your home, can you go "off grid" and never have to deal with the electric company again? Not having to depend on the power company for your electricity is an attractive proposition. No more triple digit electric bills. No more frustration with the power companies for any reason. Can you make this happen for your family? Should you? The answer depends on your location, and how much money you're prepared to spend on maintaining your own energy system.
The Net Metering Method of Chosing Off-Grid
First First of all|Firstly], think about where you live. Solar panels can only produce power when sunlight is hitting them. 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 obtain and maintain a supply of large DC (direct current) batteries to store sufficient electricity to get you through a couple of cloudy weather. You'll have to have ample storage space for that many batteries and you'll also need to plan for the cost of periodically replacing them.
Build Your Own Off-Grid Energy
In addition, having a backup generator is a good idea in case of extended periods of overcast weather that use up the electricity stored in the batteries. The generator requires fuel and you'll need to store that also. Generators usually use either gas or diesel fuel. But these types of fuels are inconsistent with a green lifestyle, so you'll probably want to use biodiesel. So while it is certainly possible to go "off grid," the project is not simple or cheap.
A more practical solution may be "net metering." You can check to determine if your local utility company offers this program. Net metering is a great way to cut down on your electricity costs, yet still have power available at night and during long spells of overcast conditions. Net metering allows you to get credits back from the electric company for excess electricity that your solar panels produce during the day. Then, at night or on days when there is not enough sunlight, you simply use electricity supplied by your local power company. And you wouldn't have to find a place to store banks of batteries. Although you won't be living "off grid", you'll save a significant amount of money on your monthly bill. Some months you may owe nothing!
Using DIY For Off-Grid Domestic Solar Power Installation
So if you live in a very sunny area, with lots of extra room to store batteries, living "off grid" might be possible for you. But if you're part of the world gets little sun and you have no large storage space, "net metering" would be more feasible.