What Is The Off Grid Solar System

The rising electricity prices in Pakistan have caused concern. Electricity is one of the common factors used but its continuous increase is incredible. So people are now moving towards its alternative. As the name suggests, an off grid solar panels system is not connected to the national grid. Rather, it is a stand-alone system. It consists of four main parts which includes solar panels, batteries, charge controller and inverter. They are designed in such a way that there is no reduction in power supply and 100% reduction in bills is also ensured. These are cost savings.

How Does An Off Grid Solar System Work?

Basically three types of solar systems are known; on-grid, Off-grid and Hybrid solar system. An off-grid solar system consists of solar panels, inverter, batteries and charge controller. It is a suitable system for areas that are off grid. When sunlight hits the panel, it is converted into electricity by photovoltaic technology. Inverters convert the direct current generated by the rations in the panel into usable alternating current. This electricity is used in homes, offices, and restaurants. The remaining current is stored in the battery.

A charge controller controls the flow of electricity between panels and household appliances. Also, it controls the overcharging of the battery. The battery is kept as a backup so that it can draw current at night or during bad weather conditions. All electronic appliances can be operated with this current. Its use saves up to 100 percent of bills because no current comes from the grid.

Key Components of an Off-Grid Solar System

It has four main components which include solar panels, inverter, battery and charge controller. Although wiring is also included, it is taken along with the solar panels.

Solar Panels

Solar panels, the visible component of the system, consist of photovoltaic technology. The panels convert sunlight into electricity. The current generated in it is direct current. Therefore, they are considered an important part of energy production.

Inverters

Inverters convert direct current generated by sunlight into alternating current. This current is used to run electronic devices. Good quality inverters also control the flow of electricity.

Battery

Battery which is also called power bank. It stores current to be used during bad weather conditions or at night. Lithium batteries are considered more efficient than acid batteries because they have a longer lifespan and perform better.

Charge Controller

A charge controller controls the flow of current between the solar panel and the battery. It also protects the batteries from overcharging. It also prevents the return flow of current to the battery panel.

Benefits Of Off-Grid Solar Energy System

Benefits of Off Grid system are given as,

24 hours power supply through an off-grid solar panel system because the battery is always charged and there is current in it whenever the weather conditions are bad , the current can be drawn from it at night.
They are not connected to the grid at all. All the electricity used is generated and used from sunlight, hence saving 100% on bills.
They are also environment friendly as they do not emit any carbon.
It is best for areas that are off grid so that electricity can be easily provided in remote areas. After installing off grid solar panels, the value of the property also increases because the current is being generated in the house to run all the conditions.
As the population is increasing, the demand for electricity is also increasing, due to high demand, there is often a risk of load shedding, but due to off-grid solar panels, there is no load shedding. Electricity is always supplied.

Off-Grid Solar System Price In Pakistan

The cost of an off-grid solar system depends on the quality of the components used. That is, if a good quality panel is used, it can be expensive, but it is guaranteed for up to 25 years. So they work for a long time. Apart from this, the battery should also be of good quality so that it can store maximum current. The price of the inverter also affects the overall cost, its price varies according to the market, but with them all household appliances such as refrigerators and air conditioners can be operated. Estimated price of an off grid solar system can be from PKR 700000 to 900000.

Tips on Choosing an Off-Grid Solar System

First of all, estimate the energy needs, that is how much electricity we use in a day. After that the solar panel system should be selected. If the appliances used in the home are of high voltage, they will need a system with a higher power output to run all the appliances.
Before buying solar panels, do a thorough research on them to buy a system that will perform well with an off-grid system.
Always buy a panel that can withstand all weather conditions and still produce some power even in low light. Panels with monocrystalline technology are very efficient in terms of performance. So always consider the voltage of your system while buying panels to avoid system failure later.
After panels, selection of battery and inverter is also an important process. Therefore, a battery should be selected which is exactly as per the requirement i.e. it has maximum power to store power. So try to always use a good quality battery and a good brand should be used. The cost of the system should also be considered i.e. the cost should be investigated thoroughly before installation so that no problem is faced later.
Apart from this, the place should also be evaluated. Choose a place where the sunlight will fall directly on the panel. If there are no trees or buildings nearby, it may affect the performance and the required amount of electricity may not be generated.
The panel should always be of good quality. All these should always be taken from a reliable manufacturer to avoid subsequent failures and risks. Also, an expert should be contacted to install this system to avoid later problems and get the desired energy levels.

To Conclude

Switching from grid to solar energy is not only financially beneficial but also good for our planet earth as the system is environmentally friendly. Overall, after installing this system there are benefits and savings in bills. As we have seen, there are numerous benefits of investing in them. As a final point it is an environment friendly system and choosing it can be a wise decision. So the final note is that off-grid system have numerous advantages. Although the initial cost is high, their long-life performance compensates for the high initial cost.