What Does 'Off-Grid' Actually Mean (& How Do You Achieve It)?

With the current state of the climate crisis, many people are striving to become more eco-conscious. One way that people are aiming to lessen their carbon footprint is by exploring off-the-grid living – but many people aren’t sure what it really means to live sustainably in a modern world. The good news is that when it’s done correctly, off-the-grid living is not only a viable option but an easy one that can actually save you money in the long run as well! Read on for all you need to know.

What qualifies as off-grid? 

In the traditional sense, off-grid living is a way of life that cuts a person and their home off from the government’s power grid. People who live this way produce their own power (and typically grow their own crops or have their own livestock). Solar is the main source of power for people living off the grid, with battery storage systems that can store power for further use. 

How does living off the grid work? 

Off-grid living works by harnessing your own power in various ways so that you reduce your reliance on your country’s power grid and are essentially self-sufficient. As mentioned above, those who live off-grid tend to take responsibility for their power needs in an eco-conscious way. 

What does off-grid electricity mean? 

As we touched on above, off-grid electricity is electricity that has been produced by a person’s own power source. The aim is to produce enough energy to power your home in the same way that being on the grid does, but without being connected to any national or regional power source. 

How do I get off-the-grid power? 

There are several different power systems that can be used to go off-grid. They include: 

• Solar power
• Wind energy
• Micro-hydro energy

Solar power is harnessed from the sun’s rays using solar panels. Wind energy is created with the use of a wind turbine and generator, which takes the motion of the wind and turns it into energy. In a similar manner, micro-hydro energy uses the motion of water and a turbine to create energy. 

How big of a solar system do I need to go off-grid?

When deciding to go-off grid using solar power, it’s important to know exactly how many solar panels you’ll need and what kind of space is required to ensure you have adequate electricity to power your home. Factors such as the size of your home, how much energy you use, and how much open land you have attached to your property all need to be taken into consideration when deciding the size of your solar system power grid.

Solar panels come in different watt sizes. A 300-watt panel can produce as much 2.5 kilowatt hours of energy per day if it gets at least eight hours of sunlight – this equates to roughly 900 kilowatt hours per year. The average home in Australia uses roughly 18 kilowatt hours per day, so you’ll need at least eight 300-watt panels to produce the average amount of electricity each home uses per year.

Of course, the size of your home also comes into play – the above numbers are calculated based on the average size of a home, which is roughly 2,000 square feet. Keep in mind that the above example doesn’t outline the exact size of the off-grid solar system Queensland residents may require, as the factors are based on averages. Your home and energy needs could be larger or smaller. 

Is off-grid solar expensive? 

The cost to install and use a solar power system can vary significantly. Various factors need to be taken into consideration, as well as things like extra costs for a power generator and whether or not you’ll be using your power for cooking or adopting propane and/or wood options instead. 

How much does it cost to go off-grid in Australia? 

As mentioned above, the costs to go-off grid range greatly between households and individuals.  Contact Hookup Solar for a Solar Assessment

What are the benefits of going off-grid? 

Long-term money savings are one great benefit of using an off-grid system, especially since buying the power system is typically a one-time purchase. There are costs associated with upkeep, but that doesn’t lessen the amount you can save by providing your own power!

Other benefits of off-grid living include: 

• A smaller carbon footprint: Using solar and other types of renewable energy is a great way to shrink your carbon footprint.
• Money savings: The Grid will pay you a feed in tariff (FIT) which will be a CREDIT on your power bill - you are able to have this credit paid to your bank account.
• Live the life you want, without the guilt: Maintaining a pool or running air conditioning during the summer can consume a huge amount of energy. Once you harness your own power and know that your consumption isn’t fueling the climate crises, you free yourself up to fully enjoy the modern comforts of Australian living.
• Property value: An off-grid system can increase your property value significantly.

Things to keep in mind when considering off-the-grid living 

While the pros tend to outweigh the cons when it comes to off-grid living, there are some things to keep in mind before taking your home entirely off the national power system. The upfront cost is perhaps the most important – it can be difficult to go off-grid without the financial means to do so. 

Other things to keep in mind include: 

• Problems that may arise: Solar power systems are not foolproof, and certain problems may arise that can leave you without power (the same way a power blackout in your area would). The problem with a solar system blackout is that if it does happen, you generally won’t have a backup power source.
• Land area: You’ll need a proper amount of land to ensure you have the space to set up a solar power system.
• Going off the grid in other ways: Are you planning to supply your own water, food, and other utilities as well as power? If so, this will need to be taken into account when it comes to cost, space, etc.

If you’ve been wondering “How do you go off the grid in real life?”, you now have your answer! There has been a rise in the demand for solar energy systems in recent years, so you’re not alone in considering the option. Knowing exactly what going off the grid entails is the first step in figuring out if you can feasibly adopt an off-grid lifestyle.