2024 sure has been an expensive year to be a human so it’s no wonder more and more people are looking to add batteries to their existing solar system or go off the grid completely. The good news is that with the modern batteries being so reliable and system costs coming down all the time, going off grid is within reach of most people. If you add to this the ever-increasing power bills, poor grid reliability and the end of the solar feed in tariffs coming in 2025, there really is no better time.
Is adding battery or going off-grid for you? If you already have a grid connected solar system, it is possible to add batteries. Older systems can be more expensive to convert as they may not be battery ready but newer grid tie inverters which are often labelled ‘Hybrid’ are built so that you can add batteries at any time. If you don’t have grid power at all then you will need a complete off grid system, which includes adding solar panels, an inverter charger and some energy storage batteries. The type of system will depend on your circumstances, what you want to run off the system (like air conditioners, water or pool pumps) and what your budget is.
How much is enough? That’s the most important thing that you and your installer need to understand. Like sizing a tractor for a farm, the system needs to be big enough to carry the loads or its always going to let you down. And don’t forget back up power. In the Childers region we get about 12 days a year (on average) that are so overcast that you won’t produce enough solar to recharge batteries. If you have the grid connected, you can use the grid in these emergency situations. Alternatively, a good quality, well priced generator will be needed for off grid systems. And it’s amazing what you can do with a generator in a properly design off grid system. If the batteries get too low, the generator can be called on (if it has an auto start function) to charge the batteries OR it can be called on during periods of heavy load, like when a family member visits and turns everything on at once. Which brings me to my next point.
Do I need to change my living style when I live off grid? Well, that goes back to budget. If you have deep pockets and long arms and can throw a decent amount at the system, you won’t even notice you are off the grid. If you’re like the rest of us short armed species in the modern world you will probably start with 5.5Kw of solar, a 5Kw inverter/charger and 10Kw of battery. You could run air conditioners all day and for some of the night, you can use typically three appliances at once (air fryer, microwave and a kettle for example), you can run a domestic fridge, chest freezer, water pumps, ceiling fans, LED lighting and even the treatment plant pump 24/7. Not to mention the TV, set top boxes, the internet computers and more. 10Kw of battery will do this, but if you want AC running at night…you will need at least 20Kw. The good news is you can start small with 10Kw of battery and add more later.
There’s some food for thought if you are thinking about adding batteries or going off the grid.
Everyone’s situation is different, so it’s really important to have a chit chat with your installer to make sure you get the best outcome.
Merry Christmas and happy holiday season to all.
Megsy Out
Written by Jason Marshall
December 2024