Living off-grid, which is better defined as not relying on a public utility provider, in this case, power, for example, KPLC in Kenya, REG in Rwanda, Umeme in Uganda, and many more, has many advantages. For those who seek freedom, the thought of being self-sufficient, using renewable energy to power your home and business, and even building that home for your family, starting that farm, and running that factory sounds like an intriguing undertaking.
Could you truly survive out there by yourself in the wild? You may have considered this question a lot in the past and even now as you make plans for your future. How practical is it to use solar energy as your sole source of power in order to live off the grid?
Going off-grid is attainable.
But that doesn’t mean it’s advantageous, whether your dream home is in “ushago” (the countryside), or you want to start irrigating the farm and the power bills you are looking at will eat into your profits, or you want to challenge your local utility provider’s energy policies, or you simply want to go green. Going off-grid is very expensive and requires extensive planning in advance. Additionally, you’ll need to keep backup energy sources on hand if you’re not ready to give up your power-hungry devices.
Yes, solar panels can power an off-grid project.
Without a doubt, they do. A well-designed solar system using the most efficient solar panels currently on the market can satisfy any energy requirement. Even with this in mind, I have found that there are a number of very strong justifications for continuing to use the grid, or to keep a grid-tied system.
Grid-tied system advantages:
You can support your community and make some money while at it.
Solar energy has the amazing benefit of reducing the strain on the electrical grid during times of high demand or bad weather. Producing your own clean energy and, in some cases, selling the excess energy to the utility can help create a more dependable electrical system.
You can use solar energy and battery storage to achieve energy independence.
All this without having to take on all the uncomfortable responsibilities related to completely cutting ties with the outside world. With the solar storage system, you can store enough energy to operate for however long you require. In the event of a power outage, a properly designed system might be able to run your entire home. By using your home appliances, keeping the lights on, and even charging your big appliances like washing machines, printers, and electric vehicles or motorbikes, you can maintain a comfortable standard of living during the upcoming rolling blackout that the electricity utility service provider has planned.
You can spend less money if you stay connected to the grid.
Several solar-powered homeowners can choose to use net energy metering (NEM), for which many nations have begun to offer incentives. This system credits home and business owners for any extra energy they send back to the grid. You can send clean energy back to the utility when you generate more of it than you use on a given day. You can significantly reduce your utility costs by maximising your solar production with the aid of a well-designed solar energy system. By visiting the website of your country’s Ministry of Energy, you can learn about the NEM incentives your country offers.
When it comes down to it, local utility companies should help their clients when they really need it. Together, utilities and homeowners can build a decentralized system that is more dependable. And right now, solar energy combined with energy storage is enabling that.
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