When someone makes the decision to supply their own energy, they are in essence making a conscious choice to completely change their way of life. You will need to plan out your entire installation, if you are going to be doing this yourself. Even if you have a bonafide solar installation company install your system, you will still want to go over the entire layout with them. You need to do this to make sure and have all of the equipment located so they are easily reachable. If you happen to have any problems with your system, you do not have the option of just calling your local utility company. Remember, you’re off the grid now.

There are Federal Tax Credits that will remove up to 30% of the total installed cost, just as they are for grid tied solar power systems. And remember to check your local state incentives, as there are several that provide incentives for solar systems installed in both homes and businesses. The website that will show you all this information is right here.

The cost on the equipment you will need varies widely, as there are several different brands and models to choose from. There is everything from basic units that will get the job done and very high tech systems with plenty of bells and whistles. Some very handy accessories are power monitors that you can have tied directly to your home computer. There are even wireless systems that can set you back a pretty penny, although you would be able to monitor your system literally wherever you are through your mobile devise.

The equipment used to make up an off grid system are the solar modules, the off grid power inverter, battery charge controller, module racking system (mounting frame) and deep cycle battery bank. The combination of this equipment will determine the systems’ capabilities in regard to power output and energy reserves available.

Energy efficiency if of primary importance when designing an off grid solar power system. As one would think, once you are up and running on this type of installation, you will not have the utility grid to come save the day, so to speak. Once you’ve installed this system, you’re on your own.

While you are in the process of sizing your solar system, you will want to make sure that you will have enough available energy to handle all of the major appliances that will be operating on a regular basis. These would typically include your HVAC (heating ventilating and air conditioning) unit, your refrigerator/freezer, stove/oven and clothes drier. The items which are sporadically used during the day that are more choice driven are not so critical. However, even some of those items, especially heat producing using electricity, such as toasters, hot plate or electric grill should be included in your formulations.

Off grid solar power systems are most certainly able to provide all the comforts similar to those of any average household. Typically, that ratio of supply versus demand is accomplished through higher equipment efficiencies, rather than spending lavishly on a system that is way oversized. A competent solar dealer would be foolish to size up a system as heating and air dealers once did in the past, when they would go by a rule of thumb process. There are way too many intricacies involved to function like that anymore.

There are many off grid systems currently being used on vacation cabins, campgrounds and RV’s, and they are sized appropriately; most are priced in the neighborhood $3500.00 to $5000.00. Many times, those systems produce only DC (direct current) electricity by and large because there are smaller appliances available that are made to accept 12vdc or 24vdc. These appliances are generally made specifically for that type of application. The next step in system size would be for homes that use standard 110vac and 230vac. For these applications you would need a DC-AC power inverter. Its function is just like it is written; it converts the DC current to AC current. Many off grid power inverters also include a battery charge controller that charges your battery bank for use later during the night time hours. The larger the power inverter rating, the larger the charger built into it.

The size of the battery bank is not only determined by the amount of back-up power required, but also by the charging capacity available. It’s important that deep cycle batteries regularly be recharged completely. Another important piece of equipment is the mounting system for the solar modules. Those could be rooftop or ground mount racking systems or a blend of both to handle the number of solar modules needed. There are larger systems that provide all the conveniences of a standard home, and they range in price starting at around $12,000.00 and up. There are virtually no limitations as to how large a system can be built. The equation is very easy ……more power equals higher costs.