What is off grid solar?
Whether it be for a small or large new or existing home, a station, business or an entire community that depends on large diesel generators, off-grid standalone power systems are commonly the reliable, clean, hassle free, cost competitive answer!
How do off grid systems works?
Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels convert sunlight to direct current (DC) electricity, which is then fed through the solar inverter to create usable alternating current (AC) electricity. AC electricity is then sent to the switchboard, where it is sent to the household appliances that are using electricity at the time, and any surplus electricity is sent to the battery bank to recharge it.
The inverter/charger will stop the solar system from recharging the batteries once they are full. When your solar system is not producing electricity, your battery bank will send power to your household appliances.
If the battery bank state-of-charge level gets too low, the inverter/charger will turn on the fuel generator automatically to power the house electrical appliances and recharge the battery bank.
There are two different ways of configuring an off grid system – AC-Coupling and DC-Coupling – and each have unique advantages. The configuration type will have an impact on the life expectancy, efficiency and flexibility of your system.