How Does Off Grid Solar Work In Arizona?
Whether you’ve just learned that going off grid with your home energy is possible through solar energy, or you have had your eyes on an off grid solar PV system for your Arizona home for a while now, there are a lot of questions to answer before you sign on the dotted line:
- “Do you need a permit for off grid solar?”
- “How many batteries do you need for off grid solar?”
- “Are there even any off grid solar companies in Arizona?”
As Arizona’s premier photovoltaic system designer and installer, we have been a part of the growth of off grid solar here in our home state. We have helped many a homeowner create their own electrical independence, and energy savings — here is what you need to know about off grid solar in Phoenix, as well as Pinal, Gila, and Yavapai Counties.
Take Your Home Energy Off the Grid
There are a few things to make sure are understood before we get into the details of how much an off grid solar PV system costs, or how you can save on the cost of off grid solar installation through rebates and incentives like the federal solar tax credit.
“Off grid solar” is defined as a system of PV panels, inverters, and solar batteries designed to meet all of the electricity needs of a home or building, removing the need for any grid supplied electricity.
Many off grid systems are designed to operate completely independent of the grid, providing multiple benefits such as:
- No more electricity bills
- Reliable home electricity, even during a city-wide power outage
- Greater carbon footprint reduction
- Increased home resale value
How Off-Grid Solar Works
In order to take your home off the grid, it requires three main elements (two of which exist in a standard solar PV system). Your system will need a system of solar PV panels, a solar inverter, and a system of solar backup batteries.
The solar panels convert the sun’s rays into electricity, the inverters convert that electricity from a direct current to an alternating current, and solar backup batteries save any excess electricity generated during the day for use overnight or during times of low solar output. An off grid system can also include other forms of renewable energy (and some non-renewable) to supplement power supply, like wind generation and whole-home backup generators.
Off Grid Solar is Not “One Size Fits All”
There are many factors that go into designing an off-grid system for your home, and no two homes will have the same requirements to meet. In order to ensure your off grid solar PV system is designed to provide reliable, renewable, and reasonable electricity for your home, the team at SouthFace Solar & Electric will need to know a few things about your home.
- How much energy do you use throughout the year?
- Do you have a suitable rooftop or surrounding property your solar panels can be mounted on?
- Does your home require a backup generator?
- Is there any way to reduce your current electricity usage?
The most helpful advice we have when it comes to installing an off-grid system in your home is to entrust your installation to a contractor with local expertise and technical experience. Once your system has been designed and you have signed off on the plans, SouthFace Solar & Electric will go through the permitting process for you and schedule your custom installation at a time that works for you.
Get a Free Off-Grid Solar Quote
Because of the added equipment required, and the increased number of solar panels necessary to meet your “around the clock” energy needs, an off-grid solar PV system can cost more than a traditional solar PV system. However, the increased cost also means increased energy savings over the life of the system.
Plus, SouthFace Solar & Electric can help reduce the cost of installation through rebates like the federal solar tax credit, which allows for a reduction of your federal tax liability equal to 26% of your total installation costs (this also applies to battery storage). Schedule your free quote today!