With off-grid solar energy, living in a remote location doesn’t have to mean living without power.
Stand-alone photovoltaic arrays provide a reliable source of electricity by harnessing the sun’s energy. Solar panel systems can work anywhere — even in locations that are way off the beaten path.
To connect your far-flung home to the utility grid, power lines must be extended to your location. But you must pay to have that work done, and the farther away your home is, the more it costs.
According to the Department of Energy, the cost of extending a power line averages between $15,000 and $50,000 per mile. So if you want to live several miles outside of the nearest town, you would have to shell out hundreds of thousands of dollars to access grid power.
Installing an off-grid solar system makes better economic sense. It costs much less, and you’ll gain energy independence.
But when it’s dark or cloudy, photovoltaic arrays don’t produce electricity.
Solar energy storage can solve this problem, giving you around-the-clock power. Excess energy captured by your photovoltaic panels can be stored in batteries for later use.
When sizing your battery bank, you’ll need to consider your daily energy usage, the size of your solar array and the weather patterns in your remote location. Mother Nature isn’t always kind to the Intermountain West, so make sure you have enough battery capacity to make it through an extended period of bad weather.
A battery bank will give you continual power. But for total peace of mind, you may also want to invest in a backup generator.
If cloudy skies stick around for too long, your batteries could become depleted. If so, your off-grid solar home could be left without power until the sun comes back out.
With a backup generator, you’ll have an additional source of electricity that’s ready to use whenever necessary. Natural gas, propane or diesel generators all work well, and ensure that you never need worry about losing power.
When properly designed and installed, a stand-alone solar energy system can meet all of your energy needs. The professionals at Intermountain Wind & Solar, the region’s leading photovoltaic contractor, are experienced in bringing power to remote locations throughout Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming and Nevada. Contact us today to begin exploring your options for off-grid solar.
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