Can You Go Off-Grid with Solar in Phoenix?
When you think about off-grid living, an isolated cabin in the woods is probably the first thing that comes to mind. But you don’t have to live in a remote location to live off the grid with solar. You can install an off-grid solar system and experience the benefits of total energy independence no matter where you live, even in a big city like Phoenix.
Benefits of Living Off-Grid in a City
There are many financial, environmental, and lifestyle benefits to living off the grid, including:
- Never pay an electric bill again
- Stop worrying about utility rate increases
- No more grid-related power outages
- Significantly reduce your fossil fuel consumption
- Use clean, renewable energy to power your home
When you install an off-grid solar system in an Arizona city like Phoenix, you can enjoy all the benefits of off-grid living without having to give up your urban lifestyle. You’ll stay close to local schools, shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues, and you won’t have to move far away from your family and friends. You can choose to keep the grid connected as a backup power source for a small monthly fee or disconnect from the utility completely.
How to Go Off-Grid with Solar in Arizona
It’s legal to live off-grid in Phoenix, Arizona, but you still have to comply with local building codes and you need a permit for off-grid solar. So, the first step is finding an off-grid solar company in Arizona that can help you navigate the red tape and ensure your setup is legitimate, like SouthFace Solar & Electric. We can answer all your questions about off-grid living and help you decide whether going off-grid with solar is right for you.
The next step is designing your solar energy system. Off-grid solar systems are generally larger and more complex than your typical grid-tied residential solar system because they need to be able to fully support the home’s power needs. Here’s what you’ll need for off-grid solar to work at your home:
- Solar panels – Solar panels capture sunlight and turn it into electricity. The more electricity you use, the more panels you need.
- Solar inverters – Inverters convert the electrical current your PV panels generate into usable electricity.
- Solar batteries – Batteries store the excess electricity your panels generate during the day so you can use solar power at night.
- Generators – A backup generator gives you an additional power source you can use to supplement your solar energy system or provide emergency backup power.
Because every home has different power requirements, off-grid solar systems need to be customized for the home where they’re installed. SouthFace Solar & Electric designs custom off-grid systems based on your power needs. We’ll analyze your power usage and the amount of space you have available so we can determine how many solar panels you need to run your house off the grid and design the right off-grid system for you.
Check out our beginner’s guide to off-grid solar to learn more.
How Much Does an Off-Grid Solar System Cost in Arizona?
Because every off-grid solar system is different, costs can vary significantly. You can expect to pay more than you would for a grid-tied solar installation because of the increased size and complexity, but you’ll also save more by producing all of your own electricity. Off-grid solar panels and batteries qualify for the 30% federal solar tax credit and financing is also available for off-grid solar.
Go Off-Grid with Solar in Phoenix
Living off the grid in a city is a best-of-both-worlds scenario. You’ll be fully energy independent but you’ll still get to enjoy all the comforts and conveniences of city living.
SouthFace Solar & Electric has more than 35 years of combined experience installing solar energy systems and is a leading off-grid solar and solar battery installer in Phoenix. If you’re interested in off-grid power generation, we can walk you through the process and help you decide whether it’s time to take your home off the grid! We follow a unique process that gives you all the facts before you buy and brings more power to you and your family.
