Are you ready to quote? Enter your zip code now
Yes, you can off-grid with a $10,000 battery-but I don’t recommend it
If you are tired of paying for electricity to connect the solar house to the grid, then I have good news. You can now use the battery system for approximately $10,000 off the grid.
The bad news is that I don't recommend it at all.
By cutting that cable, you may feel a surge of independence at first. Or, if you use garden shears, a power surge will occur.
But I expect to feel bad soon, because...
Getting off the grid when you already have a grid connection is not only an expensive and potentially uncomfortable option, but also bad for the planet, because...
If you are building a house in a rural area and getting a grid connection there will cost you a hand, then the decision to leave the grid may be a reasonable financial decision. However, if the wires pass by your home, then off-grid has no financial or environmental meaning.
If you want energy independence, here are 5 reasons why it is better to buy solar cells and stay connected to the grid.
If you want to go off-grid, about $10,000 is enough. But this is far from the comfort and convenience of grid connection.
When I said that about $10,000 is enough, I'm not talking about a box of cheap lithium firecrackers, I think it is not safe to install them next to an asbestos igloo. Instead, I’m talking about household batteries...
One solar cell I wrote recently is Huawei Luna2000. It looks like this:
The 10 kWh Huawei Luna2000 installed by Solar4Ever in Perth. If you don't need it to provide backup power, you can install it for under $10,000.
Due to the off-grid operation, the installation cost of the 10 kWh version is approximately US$11,000. Its disadvantage is that you can only use it with a compatible Huawei inverter, but if you install both a solar system and a battery, this is an option if you want to realize the $11,000 off-grid battery dream/potential nightmare.
When I say that living off-grid with a $10,000 household battery is a potential nightmare, I mean ordinary people. If I live alone, I can get by easily. When I am at home alone, I rarely use more than a few kilowatt-hours of grid power every day, and I rarely consume more than two kilowatts of electricity. If I am at a loss in the kitchen, I can only consume more than 5 kilowatts of electricity.
If I can sustain my life with much less energy and power than the battery can provide, then you might think that two thrifty people can, but that is not the case. Even if I adopt an energy-saving lifestyle, I need extra capacity to survive periods when solar power is insufficient or consumption is abnormally high. When two people are together, they basically lose room.
The possibility of conflict has also increased. If I live alone off the grid and end up sitting in the dark because I stupidly drained the battery, I can only blame myself. But when there are two people, they can easily blame each other.
I recommend never trying to use solar cells worth $10,000 to live off-grid with your significant other, unless you are looking for a reason to break up. If you don’t believe this is a bad idea, I can show you the scar tissue I got when I let my partner lose all energy in a computer game.
There are no hard and fast rules on how much an off-grid system needs to pay. The system provides the comfort and convenience of approaching on-grid systems. This will depend on location, number of household members, and energy consumption habits. But be prepared to pay more than $50,000 for a family of 4 or 5. Adding in the cost of solar energy can easily make the total cost more than $60,000.
Some households may be able to comfortably use solar and battery systems that cost only half the cost, but you have to be very sure that its limitations will not drive your family crazy.
There may be people who currently live off-grid with six solar panels and four lead-acid batteries. They laugh at the idea that $30,000 is not enough, but I’m talking about those who live off the convenience of having a power grid just tap the switch. You can get 24/7 or 23.99/7 power actually managed by the grid.
Suppose you have purchased a battery system large enough to keep your home away from the grid. Or you didn't buy it. Maybe you won a lottery in a lottery. Whether you pay for solar cells or get them for free, it is almost always better to stay connected to the grid. This is because…
In general, I don't have any good opinions on VPP. It is difficult for homeowners to determine which one is best for them, and VPP providers can use consumer confusion to provide bad deals. However, even after taking into account disadvantages such as additional battery wear and tear, joining VPP can only provide a net income of US$200 per year-which is still sufficient to significantly improve the economics of staying online.
The cost of supplying electricity to stay connected to the grid varies by location and power plan, but is usually $1 per day. In the figure below, I show how a typical household using batteries and a 6.6 kW solar system can save $365 in electricity costs per year compared to a typical household that uses a battery and a 6.6 kW solar system to stay connected to the grid under four different conditions:
As shown by the pink bar, the annual feed-in tariff of 5 cents for solar energy is almost equal to the annual supply cost. In this case, the family actually needs to pay $27 a year in order to be able to obtain grid energy if needed. Knowing that no matter what may go wrong with your battery system, you will have electricity, which is a price worth paying.
With a solar feed-in tariff of 10 cents or a feed-in tariff of 5 cents and VPP payments, even if-very stupidly-the value of using grid electricity is zero, staying online is clearly a better financial transaction.
The above chart underestimates the advantages of maintaining grid connection, because most households that can off-grid will have more than 6.6 kilowatts of solar panels and will receive more solar feed-in tariffs.
The Australian grid currently emits approximately 650 grams of carbon dioxide for every kilowatt-hour supplied. This is slightly better than Poland’s 724 grams and keeps us on par with Estonia, which is the only country in the world that uses Soviet technology to generate electricity from oil shale. But this figure only includes emissions from power plants. The additional emissions from the extraction and transportation of fossil fuels may push the actual figure closer to 700 grams.
For a country with..., this level of emissions is terrible.
Australia’s coal power stations are too old, I would like to quote Leo Amery2’s words:
"You have been sitting here for too long, you have been doing anything good. In the name of God, go!"
Fortunately, the emissions from power generation are better than before. In 2000, about 80% of our electricity came from coal. Now it has dropped to 62%. A major factor in the decline in coal prices is Australian households that install rooftop solar panels, which now provide 7.5% of the electricity consumed by the grid. But if you take your home off the grid, then you cannot send the remaining energy generated by the solar system to the grid to reduce the production of fossil fuels.
If your home can be off the grid, it will generate excess solar energy. This is because there are only two types of off-grid houses:
A typical north-facing 6.6 kW solar system in Australia will generate approximately 9,600 kWh per year. If a household consumes 5,000 kWh of solar energy, 4,600 kWh is output to the grid. Using data of 650 grams per kilowatt-hour can reduce about 3 tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year-more than the annual emissions of ordinary passenger cars in Australia.
But the reduction in emissions by putting solar energy into the grid will be even higher. It rarely replaces other clean energy generation, such as wind power, hydropower, or utility-scale solar power. On the contrary, it usually reduces the production of fossil fuels. This results in a reduction of approximately 1 kilogram per kilowatt-hour of carbon dioxide from rooftop solar exports.
The figure below shows the additional reduction in carbon dioxide emissions produced by a family with a 6.6 kW solar power system that decides to stay connected to the grid instead of off the grid and output an average of 4,500 kWh:
More than 10 years later, it reached 45 tons. In most cases, the emission reduction will not stop there, because most households will need more than 6.6 kilowatts of solar energy to be off the grid.
Whether you care about saving money, saving the planet, or saving money until you have a large sum of money the size of the planet, buying household batteries and keeping your home away from the grid will not help achieve any of these goals.
But I want to clarify that I am not saying that you can give up any independent dreams you might have by buying solar cells. On the contrary, you can reduce your dependence on grid energy and stay connected to the grid in the event of a grid failure.
Ronald Brakels was born in Toowoomba many years ago. When his township collected a collection and sent him to Japan, he became famous internationally for the first time. This was the furthest place they could manage with the funds raised. When the local mayor greeted him at the airport and explained that it was too dangerous for him to return to Toowoomba due to climate change and mutations attacking goats. After returning to Australia, he developed a keen interest in environmental issues. Ronald then moved to a property in Adelaide Hills, where he now lives with his horse Tonto 23.
Very good overview, thanks for your analysis. Some of my colleagues are very concerned about the large batteries and solar energy in our holiday homes, and our team uses them about 10 weekends a year. There are also many on the transfer line! The party uses about 100 kWh on weekends. And the battery is expensive? ? ? Please don't calculate it, I have completed the sum.
When you have a discount and own solar energy and batteries, Melbourne’s pensioner’s gem, during the summer months, we can enjoy a discount of about 60% on our supply costs because our import costs are lower than the supply costs.
Surprise surprise, I want to play the most powerful person. :)
Few people now want to get off the grid, and although I warn people to cut off the power cord, I hope it will not happen again for 5 to 10 years.
$50,000 for a family of four seems a bit high, but I think if you live in an energy-inefficient household and have a high-energy-use lifestyle, it is reasonable—at least as long as the cost of batteries is still high.
Currently, FiTs are easy to pay for usage and supply-assuming you have a large system that does not use too much electricity, and plan to provide suitable rates, but FiTs are rapidly declining, and there is an imminent solar tax threat-details The information is unclear.
Regarding the 5 reasons to stay on the grid, #1 and #4 are definitely correct, and #5 depends on your personal beliefs. #2 & #3 are system related however. Please correct me if I am mistaken, but isn't this mainly only applicable to single-phase, ie 5kW or less systems? My understanding is that the three-phase system is either difficult to prove the zombie apocalypse, or it is much more expensive-yes, I may just not be able to keep up with the latest information, but if I am wrong, then someone here please point out the relevant SQ article Or educate me. :)
Buying a decent battery for $10,000, so you can get off the grid? This should easily cover the power consumption from dusk to dawn, plus the peak during the day-unless you empty the tank after dark and run AC power all night. The problem is that when the terrible solar energy can not meet your use for several days, let alone charge the battery. What is the purpose of diesel generator operation?
Am I not normal? My daily electricity consumption just reached double digits last month-half of which is covered by solar production, and I hope it can be lower this month. Given that water tanks consume more than 2kW of electricity and hot water tanks consume 3-4kW, at certain times of the day, if there is no grid or battery, solar power is not enough.
As for the quarrel (blasphemy, blasphemy, killing infidels! Sorry, a bit overwhelmed there) about who flattened the battery in a computer game and caused a power outage, isn't battery monitoring a problem that can be avoided? Or the battery does not have the same monitoring capabilities as the inverter?
The supply fee is usually $1 per day? Is this for a solar plan or a non-solar plan? An article from Canstar Blue last month has an average of 77.32c/day in New South Wales and 103.18c/day in Victoria. However, my solar plan charges 111.5c/day of supply plus 6.7c/day of solar energy. I I heard that I charge a daily supply of $1.74 somewhere-although I can't figure out where it is. Therefore, my basic expenses are approximately 20% higher than the typical figures given. If you have multiple water supply costs, and/or the power company starts to try to make money from the water supply costs instead of using user fees like the water company...
My installer called it 0.82 kg CO2/kWh instead of 650 g CO2/kWh, but frankly, I am one of those who worry about the economic consequences of the climate change proposal, not about plant food emissions. Damage. Therefore, naturally, if the cost of connecting a solar system to the grid exceeds the economic benefit, it is the wire cutting time. Of course, subsidizing the grid may provide comfort to climate fundamentalists, but I am not one of them. Oh, just for reference, obviously I have "avoided 5 tons of carbon dioxide" with my solar energy. This year is far from over. I should reach 10 tons or better by the end of the year, but frankly, who cares? :)
One thing that is not mentioned but will definitely affect the ability to disconnect is that replacing gasoline, natural gas or diesel vehicles with electric vehicles will bring a potential surge. For some households, adding 10 kilowatt-hours of electricity per day will double their electricity consumption. If you are close to the 2.5kWh per day mark, the usage may increase by only 25%-requiring a larger solar system and/or battery system and/or strict control of charging time.
This is definitely an interesting exercise, but for economic reasons, I am out of economic considerations, plus a little zombie apocalypse\independent self-interest, this seems to be premature. Time may change this equation, so the bigger question is when to cut off the power cord?
While thinking. Given that forest fires\burning\smoke revolve around clean air rather than climate change, the argument may be more effective for some people. Or maybe I just live in Smoky Hollow-coughing, splashing, vomiting. Well, most days it is closer to heaven, but there are other days. :)
Polystyrene. I just refreshed this page and saw Colin's view on concessions. These are worth studying. Those who are elderly, or have a health care card, or one of several other options, can save about $1 a day in electricity bills, which basically provides nearly free electricity for those who can apply.
This may be useful/interesting to some people: https://www.canstarblue.com.au/electricity/electricity-rebates-concessions/
Another consideration is that off-grid households often use other forms of energy to reduce electricity consumption.
These usually include natural gas (usually bottled) for cooking and water heating, and wood burning for heating.
On the other hand, they often seek to use high-efficiency appliances to insulate their houses well and use passive heating/cooling designs.
But yes, if you are connected to the grid, then off-grid is meaningless.
Although for fun, I built an off-grid system to be used as a backup for power outages in the pre-love kit, so it doesn’t cost too much, and I can off-grid some of our loads and export them from our grid-connected system energy.
What puzzles me is that the same retailer can charge a completely different supply fee for the same house according to your plan. My neighbor has no panel and charges 0.95 cents. I have a panel and pay 1.56 US dollars. One kilometer away, a friend installed 6.6 kilowatts, which rose from US$0.95 to US$1.76. If the government really wants to lower our bills, all it has to do is to impose the same supply charges in the same polar regions.
Although I agree with everything that is said here, if your living arrangements mean that you no longer pay rent because you have the ability to get off the grid like me and build your own system, the numbers will change dramatically.
I built a 2kw solar/4kw inverter/8kwh LifePo etc. at the price of 7000 USD. Although the worst 2/3 months of winter is a bit difficult, you can now spend less money to buy a larger battery system, if your roof space allows more, then you can buy new panels at a price of 50c per watt.
Since the rent or electricity bill is very low or even not available, my system will be paid in 2 years! Obviously this is not practical for many people, but it is not a pie in the sky. If you are handy, smart, and aggressive, this can greatly improve your life! Of course it has mine.
Obviously a big spend! Solar panels can be purchased anywhere, new ones, about 20 cents per watt. (E-bay, for example). In contrast, I paid a pw of $13.80 for a 2-hand panel in 1980. The price of a deep-cycle L/AA MG battery with a 3-year unconditional warranty (expected 5 years) is less than US$2 per AH. In addition, sometimes panels are available for free, as are batteries. The installation can be done by a semi-smart chimpanzee. Why someone is bargaining for a few cents here or there is beyond my understanding. Information/discussions are available here: [email protection]
Ron, I know you are an accurate adherent, so I just thought I would mention "You have been sitting here for too long..." This sentence was not from Churchill, but from Leo Ameri in "Norway Said to Neville Chamberlain after the "debate" (read "debate" as "collapse") held in the House of Commons in 1940. Because of this debate and other opposition to his government's policies, Chamberlain resigned and Churchill became the new national government In addition, Emery himself was actually quoting Oliver Cromwell, who (forcibly) dissolved the "long parliament" in 1648!
Hmm pickle my grandma. I should be aware of the quadruple check of any content that is said to be Churchill’s famous quote, because he did not say three-quarters of what belongs to him. Even what he said more or less has been sorted out. (For example, he actually said, "Ma'am, I may be drunk, but you are ugly, in the morning... I will still be drunk.")
I have corrected the quotation. Thank you for pointing out my mistake.
Actually, I must correct my own correction. Not the long council in 1648, but the hip council in 1653. I apologize to Ollie and his new model army.
In fact, Ron, Churchill is replying to Congressman Bessie Braddock (Bessie Braddock), she is a rather homely and tall lady. She said: "Winston, you are drunk and disgustingly drunk." Winston allegedly replied: "Bessie, my dear, you are ugly, and you are disgustingly ugly. But. Tomorrow I will be sober, you are still disgustingly ugly."
Now, this story may be true, or it may not be, but it's great for reading. As a letting go it will be hard to beat.
The rural off-grid construction that I completed half a year ago can be connected to the grid if there is a grid within a kilometer. The grid was originally a cheap battery, replacing the extra battery needed for cloudy weather. (Anyway, let us assume that a battery is used for grid interruption and increased self-consumption.) The interest for only a $10,000 battery is $1.37/day @ 5%. If the same battery is replaced after 10 years, the service charge for the additional battery is 2.74 USD/day. Oh, no fit. (I think Ronald mentioned this.)
When using moderate batteries off the grid, a new high-efficiency refrigerator is essential, because the average performer can use 3 kWh per day, which may be 2/3 of the battery in the darker months. The flue water heater on the wood heater with stove and oven can replace 10 kWh of power generation in winter, and the heater eliminates the electrical space heating load. The Western Photovoltaic Array will allow the air conditioner to run until the 43-degree summer afternoon, after the sun has slipped from the North Array, and then turn off the air conditioner before sunset, and then taxi. (However, the thick insulating material, double glazing, and floor slab meant that it was comfortable without air conditioning last summer.)
I have to finish the renovation and wait for the Covid travel restrictions to be lifted before starting the solar installation, but I like the appearance of a pair of 6 kW Ingecon PV&Battery inverter/chargers, possibly with several BYD 7.7 kWh battery boxes. In 4 boxes, I have a redundant system, and I can't help but infer that a single MPPT/charger/inverter can prioritize power flow better than individual units trying to reach consensus. With a 10 + 3.6 kW array and an occupant, generators should be rarely used since then. If cloudy weather is approaching, I may be able to use the welding machine, lathe, and milling machine in the sun most of the time. As for the opportunity cost of unused photovoltaic power generation, my Longreach ute is 22 years old, and I am focusing on electric vehicle products from BYD and Xiaopeng in the coming months. Current signs indicate that they will reach parity with ICE vehicles with similar specifications next year. There will be no regrets about the abandoned FIT, which is decreasing almost every day, because the emerging renewable energy generation causes the grid energy generation cost to approach zero, at least at noon.
In particular, BYD uses lithium iron phosphate batteries in their electric cars-more resistant to fire than the batteries used in Bolt. There is always a rotten apple in the bucket, which is best avoided. Tesla also plans to switch to them, especially to avoid nickel shortages when it adds 7 million electric vehicles within a few years. (Yes, Tesla is a bit rich for someone who has to spend money on extra off-grid battery capacity.)
What a Ronald. I find it difficult to disagree with any of your reasons and logic.
For those who are far away from the grid, it is easy to build a very comfortable off-grid system. But for those who are already connected, or have let it run over the front fence, why don't you stay connected.
For those who want to stay away from the grid, it is wonderful to be off the grid in a beautiful place. I haven't heard a police siren in an off-grid home for 30 years. Wildfire is always a problem, and we never thought it would help. Still love it!
Please keep the SolarQuotes blog constructive and useful through the following 4 rules:
1. Preferred real name-you should be happy to add your name to your comment. 2. Put down the weapon. 3. Assume positive intentions. 4. If you are in the solar industry-try to understand the truth instead of selling. 5. Please keep the theme.
Notify me of followup comments via e-mail.
Notify me of new posts via email.
Read "Solar Guide" online for free!
Are you ready to get a solar quote?
Get up to 3 free quotes through our service
We carefully review all
Our installers and your quotations are zero obligation
Download the first chapter of the "Guide to Solar Energy" written by Finn Peacock, founder of SolarQuotes, for free! You will also begin to receive the SolarQuotes weekly newsletter to keep you informed about all the latest developments in the solar field in Australia.
We respect your privacy and you can opt out of the newsletter at any time.