Off Grid Solar Electric Systems
Off-grid installations are temporarily unavailable for new systems but we can provide service work and replacement of equipment for existing systems.
For Off Grid systems, you are completely off the grid as your system generates power through your solar panels and that power is used for your own consumption. In this case, you will require batteries to store that power to be used in the evening or on cloudy and low producing days.
With Off Grid systems, you now need to purchase and hold a bank of batteries (amount and size of batteries to be determined by the size of the system) to store the electricity you generate. Batteries are not cheap and they typically only last about 10 years before they need to be replaced. Chances are, you will need a back-up generator for the times when your system is not be able to meet your requirements in the worst producing months of the year. Lastly, an off grid system is a lifestyle change as you need to conserve electricity wherever possible.
At the end of the day both systems have their merit. Off Grid systems work best in areas of the Province where you cannot connect to the grid in any other way, typically in rural settings. Grid Tie systems are better in an Urban environment where Hydro is readily available.
If you’re curious about your home and want to see how much a Solar system on your roof can generate, please feel free to contact us or Cell: 613-583-6127.
Author: Ron Kortekaas
