An off-grid solar system is a self-sufficient renewable energy system that independently produces and stores electricity. Here’s how it works:
- Solar Panels: Solar panels, often mounted on the rooftop, absorb energy radiated from the sun and convert it into direct current (DC) electricity.
- Charge Controller: The DC electricity produced by the solar panels is sent to a charge controller. The charge controller regulates the power, sending it to run household appliances during the day and charging the batteries when there’s extra power.
- Batteries: The batteries store the excess power generated during the day. This stored power can then be used to keep the house running at night or during periods of less sun exposure.
- Solar Inverter: The power stored in the batteries is in the form of DC, which needs to be converted into alternating current (AC) to be used by home appliances. This conversion is done by the solar inverter.
Unlike traditional, on-grid solar power systems, off-grid systems do not connect to the national utility grid. They are ideal for providing consumers with clean, renewable energy, especially in remote areas where connecting to the electricity grid can be difficult. However, they are usually more expensive than on-grid systems due to the high cost of batteries and off-grid inverters.