• Login
No Result
View All Result
The Urban Twist
NEWSLETTERS
  • News
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Culture
    • Lifestyle
  • Features
  • Opinion
The Urban Twist
No Result
View All Result
Home Entertainment

Going off the Grid

  • By Jonah Carte
  • /
  • March 15, 2019
Facebook
Reddit
Email

Solar battery storage that allows you to go off the grid is available but is rarely cost-effective. Learn more about what to expect.

​The Future is Powered by Solar Panels

Once you have solar panels installed on your home, and see your meter run backward, it’s a beautiful thing.

If you’re like me, you start to think about going off the grid completely. The thought of going off the grid is so attractive, there’s even a television show, cleverly called “Building Off the Grid” that chronicles the adventures of people who do just that.

Of course, when I think of going off the grid with my solar panel installation, I’m not thinking about living in a remote area with no power. I’m thinking of ways to be energy independent in my comfortable home in my neighborhood. And of not having to suffer through the loss of power after the next major storm or winter power outage.

Utilizing Batteries to Store Solar Energy

All this ruminating led me to wonder exactly what going off the grid really means. It’s easy to think that installing solar panels will instantly take your house off the grid. However, solar panel systems by themselves can’t deliver all the solar power your home needs at all hours of the day. After all, your solar panels can’t work at night. However, this doesn’t mean your system can’t generate enough power. Most likely, it does. Just not all the time.

Now that solar panel technology is so advanced and much more efficient than it used to be, the issue with going off the grid isn’t energy generation but rather energy storage. That’s why most people with solar power take advantage of net metering programs in their area. When you generate more energy than you use, you can feed that excess energy back into the grid and get credit for it on your power bill. You then can use those credits during the times when your solar panels are not producing energy.

According to POWERHOME Solar, one of the fastest-growing solar companies in the U.S., most people choose to switch to solar power so that they can reduce their reliance on the power company and insulate themselves from spiking energy costs. However, going off the grid is possible if you add a sizable battery storage option to your solar system. 

The thing is, buying multiple batteries for your system is rarely cost-effective. If you live in an area where you can stay connected to your utility and take advantage of net metering, that is probably your best bet.

Power Outage Solutions

But what about power outages, right? If you’ve ever lived through a major storm or winter power outage, you know what it’s like to go without power for sometimes days on end. For these instances, there is a solution. POWERHOME suggests a battery option that can power three critical loads for up to a 24-hour period. You won’t be able to power your HVAC system, but you can keep your refrigerator going, charge your electronics, and run a space heater. Or alternatively, you can choose to power your microwave or other outlets in the kitchen and make coffee.

When you need it, switching to your battery backup system is easy. In fact, you don’t have to do anything. Once the system detects an outage, your power sources automatically transfer to use the energy stored in your battery. Though limited in scope, a battery can save you the cost of replacing the food in your refrigerator and make life a little more comfortable during an outage. And most battery solutions are expandable, so that in the future, you can add more storage capacity to it or use the battery in capacities beyond outages.

Donation

Buy author a coffee

Donate
Tags: homesteadingoff gridsolar energy
Jonah Carte

Jonah Carte

Jonah Carte is a Freelance Writer who works with various publishing platforms to inform readers of the latest news and opinions on the United States and World news. Jonah has secured various publications, including local and national newspaper contributions. Jonah has a Journalism Degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

From The Web

Related Stories

Related Posts

Blogs

Famous Solar Projects Powering Public Spaces

January 6, 2020
Cover Story

The Truth Behind Solar Savings Calculators

June 14, 2019
Business

​Commercial Solar Panels Pick Up Steam

March 8, 2019
Opinion

2018 Top Solar Energy Methods | Experts Choice

January 29, 2019

TRENDING HEADLINES

LATEST NEWS

Ryan Coogler’s ‘Sinners’ Delivers a Haunting Blend of History and Horror

Ryan Coogler’s ‘Sinners’ Delivers a Haunting Blend of History and Horror

Free-Spirited Songbird: Makhyli

Free-Spirited Songbird: Makhyli

2 months ago
Issa Rae’s Black Mirror Debut Sparks Mixed Reactions: Fans Question ‘Hotel Reverie’ Performance

Issa Rae’s Black Mirror Debut Sparks Mixed Reactions: Fans Question ‘Hotel Reverie’ Performance

2 months ago
NAACP Sues Department of Education Over Anti-DEI Orders Targeting Black Students

NAACP Sues Department of Education Over Anti-DEI Orders Targeting Black Students

3 months ago
Serena Williams Shuts Down Drake Shade Rumors After Super Bowl Cameo

Serena Williams Shuts Down Drake Shade Rumors After Super Bowl Cameo

3 months ago
Marvin Sapp Turns Viral ‘Close the Doors’ Moment into Gospel Anthem

Marvin Sapp Turns Viral ‘Close the Doors’ Moment into Gospel Anthem

3 months ago
  • Write For Us
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Copyright & DMCA
  • About Us
  • Fact Checking Policy
  • Corrections Policy
  • Ethics Policy
  • Ownership Policy
  • MarketersMEDIA Newswire​

Copyright © 2021 Phoenix Stokes Media Group, LLC. All rights reserved.
Website designed and developed by P.S. Web Pros.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Culture
    • Lifestyle
  • Features
  • Opinion

Copyright © 2021 Phoenix Stokes Media Group, LLC. All rights reserved.
Website designed and developed by P.S. Web Pros.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.