Take Control Of Your Electricity Supply & Forget About Load Shedding For Good
With this 3D Solar Panel System, you can generate your own clean, renewable energy at a fraction of the cost of roof-mounted solar panel systems
Off-Grid Solar System (The Ultimate DIY Guide)
Off-Grid Solar System: Build Your Own Solar Power System
The cost of a complete off-grid solar system is not inexpensive as I’m sure you know.
But with the bleak outlook on South Africa’s power supply, investing in your own off-grid solar system is becoming more and more attractive by the day.
The reality is that the Eskom crisis is not going to be resolved so you will need to look at having your own solar power system sooner rather than later to ensure a stable electricity supply for your home.
Free yourself from the grid and embrace the power of the sun with a solar power system for your home
As you probably know, an off-grid solar system doesn’t come cheaply but the cost will be offset by a reliable and cheaper electricity supply.
Furthermore, for Cape Town residents who have invested in their own solar power system, the city of Cape Town will pay for their excess power fed into the local electricity grid from June 2023
What Is An Off-Grid Solar System?
An off-grid solar system is a type of renewable energy system that generates electricity independently without relying on a centralized power grid like Eskom for example.
These renewable solar power systems are perfect for sun-blessed countries like South Africa but can be used anywhere.
Break free from Eskom’s load shedding and power your home with free solar energy
Furthermore, we’re lucky to have sun almost all year round in SA as it allows us to install our off-grid solar systems to be independent of the beleaguered power utility, Eskom.
Despite the Eskom crisis, concerns regarding the environment, and the cost of energy, installing an off-grid solar system has become a popular alternative to traditional grid-tied systems.
What Is a Grid-Tied Solar System?
Briefly, a grid-tied solar system is a type of solar power system that doesn’t rely 100% on solar power to provide electricity to your home.
A grid-tied system is also connected to the main power grid which is the Eskom grid in South Africa.
This allows excess energy generated by the solar panels to be fed back into the grid, reducing the homeowner’s reliance on Eskom power and potentially even earning them credits or payments from the utility company which is set to become a reality in Cape Town in 2023.
To explain this further, I’ve listed the advantages and disadvantages of an off-grid solar system vs a grid-tied system in the table below.
Off-Grid Solar System vs Grid-Tied Solar System: Pros and Cons
| Off-Grid Solar System | Grid-Tied Solar System | |
|---|---|---|
| Advantages | ||
| Energy Independence | An off-grid solar system provides energy independence, allowing homeowners to generate their electricity without relying on a utility company. | A grid-tied solar system allows homeowners to offset their electricity usage with solar power, resulting in lower electricity bills. |
| Remote Locations | Off-grid solar systems are ideal for remote locations where access to the power grid is limited or non-existent. | Grid-tied solar systems are more suitable for urban and suburban areas where access to the power grid is readily available. |
| No Monthly Bills | With an off-grid solar system, homeowners don't have to worry about monthly electricity bills. | With a grid-tied solar system, homeowners still have to pay a monthly electricity bill, although it may be lower than before. |
| Disadvantages | ||
| Higher Upfront Costs | Off-grid solar systems are generally more expensive to install due to the need for battery storage and backup generators. | Grid-tied solar systems are generally less expensive to install because they don't require battery storage or backup generators. |
| Limited Power Supply | An off-grid solar system's power supply is limited by the capacity of its batteries and backup generator, which can be a problem during periods of extended cloudy weather or high electricity demand. | A grid-tied solar system's power supply is unlimited as long as it's connected to the power grid, although homeowners may not be able to generate enough power to meet all their electricity needs. |
| Maintenance Costs | Off-grid solar systems require regular maintenance, including battery replacement and generator maintenance. | Grid-tied solar systems require little to no maintenance aside from occasional cleaning of the solar panels. |
How Does An Off-Grid Solar System Work?
An off-grid solar system is made up of several components, including solar panels, a charge controller, a battery bank, and an inverter.
Solar panels play the most important role in the solar power system.
Without them, there would be no way to capture and convert the sun’s energy into electricity.
Anyway, the solar panels do a good job of capturing the sun’s rays and converting them into DC electricity which requires the other components to convert them into usable AC power.
So, the energy is stored in batteries and the charge controller ensures that the battery bank is not overcharged or undercharged, thereby extending the lifespan of the batteries.
And, the battery bank is important as it stores the excess energy generated by the solar panels which you can use when the sun is not shining.
Finally, the inverter converts the DC electricity into AC electricity, which can be used to power appliances and devices in your home.
How An Off-Grid Solar System Works: Flowchart
Components Needed For An Off-Grid Solar System
The following is a list of all the components you will need for your off-grid solar system;
- Solar Panels
As mentioned above, solar panels are the heart of your off-grid solar system.
They capture the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity.
They come in various sizes and types, but the most common type used in off-grid systems is photovoltaic (PV) panels.
These panels are made of silicon cells and are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions.
- Charge Controller
This will also be an essential component of your off-grid solar system.
It’s required to regulate the flow of electricity between the solar panels and the battery bank.
The charge controller ensures that the battery bank is not overcharged or undercharged, in order to extend the lifespan of your batteries.
It will also protect the batteries from being damaged by being overcharged.
Overcharging batteries leads to degradation.
- Battery Bank
At the risk of sounding repetitive, this is another important part of your off-grid solar power system.
As, without a battery bank, you wouldn’t have the ability to store any excess energy generated by the solar panels.
And you’ll need this stored energy so that you can use it when the sun’s not shining and your solar power system isn’t generating electricity.
The size of the battery bank you use will depend on the amount of electricity you need to power your home.
The type of batteries normally used in off-grid systems is deep-cycle batteries, which are designed to be discharged and recharged repeatedly.
- Inverter
Again, the inverter is necessary as without it you wouldn’t be able to convert the DC power supplied by the solar panels into AC power which is needed to run your household appliances.
It’s therefore responsible for converting the DC electricity stored in the battery bank into AC electricity.
Inverters come in various sizes, and the size of the inverter you need depends on your home’s power requirement.
- Wiring and Electrical Components
This is fairly obvious, but the wiring and electrical components are essential to the proper functioning of a solar power system.
It is important to use high-quality wiring and electrical components to ensure the safety and efficiency of the system.
When choosing wiring and electrical components, it is important to consider the type and size of your solar system, as well as the voltage and amperage of the components.
Actionable takeaway:
Use high-quality wiring and electrical components that are compatible with the type and size of your solar system.
Cost Breakdown Of Your Off-Grid Solar Power System
| Component | Estimated Price (ZAR) | Estimated Installation Cost (ZAR) |
|---|---|---|
| Off-Grid Solar Panel System | 25,000 - 100,000 | 10,000 - 30,000 |
| Charge Controller | 2,000 - 8,000 | 2,000 - 5,000 |
| Battery Bank | 15,000 - 50,000 | 5,000 - 15,000 |
| Inverter | 10,000 - 50,000 | 5,000 - 10,000 |
Installation Costs Of a Solar Power System
Besides the estimated component costs for your solar power system which you can see in the table above, there’s also the cost of installing the solar power system to consider.
But, if you’re planning on doing your DIY installation then this part of the overall cost will be negligible.
On the other hand, if you’re getting a professional solar company in to do it, you will be looking at a cost of between R20,000 to R60,000 to install your off-grid solar system professionally.
As you know, this can vary depending on the complexity of the installation, location, the actual solar company you use, and other factors.
You should therefore get quotes from a few different reputable installers to ensure that you’re getting the best price for the most competent installation.
Lastly, you should know that these prices are estimates and may vary depending on your specific situation and location.
Therefore, please do your research and consult with a professional before making any decisions.
Installing Your Off-Grid Solar System
Now that you’ve chosen your components, you can begin the installation of your off-grid solar power system.
The installation process will vary depending on the size and complexity of your system, as well as your level of experience and technical knowledge.
But, the basic steps are as follows:
- Mount your solar panels in a location with maximum sunlight exposure, such as on your roof or in your yard.
- Connect the solar panels to the charge controller, which regulates the voltage and current of the electricity generated by the solar panel.
- Connect the charge controller to the battery bank, which stores the electricity generated by the solar panels.
- Connect the battery bank to the inverter, which converts the DC electricity stored in the battery into AC electricity that can be used by your home’s appliances.
- Connect the inverter to your home’s electrical system, either by plugging it into an outlet or by hardwiring it into your home’s electrical panel.
Congratulations, you’ve successfully built your own off-grid solar power system.
With proper maintenance and care, your off-grid solar system can provide you with clean, renewable energy for years to come without having to worry about the load-shedding schedule any longer.
Lastly, if you’re uncertain or think you may have done something incorrectly you should consult with a professional to make sure everything’s been done correctly.
The Bottom Line On Your Off-Grid Solar System
Whilst it’s not cheap, I don’t think there are any South Africans who wouldn’t like to have their own off-grid solar power system and say goodbye to Eskom’s indefinite load shedding for good.
To minimise the cost of going off-grid, you should always compare solar panel prices to ensure you get the best deal.
But when you consider that you’re still going to need between 14 and 20 roof-mounted PV panels, it’s always going to be costly.
Harness the power of the sun and take charge of your energy future with an off-grid solar system
There is a cheaper solution though.
You may have heard of 3D solar panel towers.
Well, they’ve been proven to be way more effective and cheaper than a roof-mounted solar power system.
It’ll also be cheaper as this system doesn’t require as many panels or use as much space.
Check it out.
This is how a 3D Solar Panel Tower system works and how you can build it yourself.