Building an Off-Grid Solar System: My Approach.
Question I often get when people discover I run primarily off-grid are:
"How can I have the same system? How much does it cost? Can you help me set it up?"
While I’m not a solar professional, and therefore can’t offer installation services, I find the best way to answer these questions is to share my experiences. This post aims to do just that: document how I’d design different off-grid solar configurations.
I am not a certified solar engineer, and this is not a professional guide or tutorial. Instead, think of this as a reference for understanding how off-grid systems can be structured. It’s always best to do your due diligence and consult a competent installer to design and build your system.
Why Share My Approach?
After running exclusively on solar for over eight years and talking to many people curious about going off-grid, I’ve identified common needs and challenges. Based on this, I’ve created theoretical configurations for:
- Small Systems: Minimal setups for basic needs. (Pending)
Medium Off-grid Solar System
Link https://solarplan-m.openculture.org.ng/
- Capable of generating an average of 7.7 kWh of electricity daily (approximately 7 units of electricity).
- Optimized for medium-sized loads, such as:
- A small chest freezer operating on an 8-hour cycle.
- An inverter refrigerator.
- Common household appliances like TVs, fans, light bulbs, laptops, and phone chargers.
- Can seamlessly integrate with the grid, allowing the battery to recharge during rainy or cloudy days when solar production is low.
- Designed to reduce electricity costs when operated in Solar Priority mode, where:
- Solar energy powers the house during the day.
- The system switches to grid power only when solar output is insufficient, such as at night or during extended periods of low sunlight.
Fairly Large Off-Grid Solar Systems
Link https://solarplan-l.openculture.org.ng/
- Capable of generating an average of 15kWh of electricity daily (approximately 15 units of electricity).
- Optimized for fairly house appliances loads, such as:
- A small chest freezer operating on an 8-hour cycle.
- An inverter refrigerator.
- 1 x Inverter AC (Running at low power mode)
- Appliances like a microwave, water pump, washing machine, and blender can also be powered, particularly during the day when sunlight is abundant and solar production is at its peak.
- Common household appliances like TVs, fans, light bulbs, laptops, and phone chargers.
- Can seamlessly integrate with the grid, allowing the battery to recharge during rainy or cloudy days when solar production is low.
- Designed to reduce electricity costs when operated in Solar Priority mode, where:
- Solar energy powers the house during the day.
- The system switches to grid power only when solar output is insufficient, such as at night or during extended periods of low sunlight.
Key Components I Recommend
1. Jinko Solar Panels
Jinko is one of the world’s largest and most reputable solar panel manufacturers, offering tier-1 panels. In Nigeria, Jinko panels are distributed by Fouani, known for competitive prices and free delivery on orders above ₦200,000.
2. Feeo Electrical Components
Feeo specializes in electrical components like miniature circuit breakers (MCBs), automatic transfer switches (ATS), and surge protection devices (SPD). Their MCBs are particularly great for DC applications because they are bi-directional, protecting both the supply and load sides.
3. Deriy Lithium Battery Boxes
These pre-assembled lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄) battery packs are reliable and come with Grade A certification. I’ve found them to deliver on capacity and quality.
4. Growatt Inverters
Growatt is a global leader in residential inverter manufacturing. Known for a balance between quality and price, their inverters are used in both medium and large systems in my configurations.
How to Use These Plans
The configurations I’ve designed should serve as an overview of how an off-grid system can be structured. While I recommend specific components, you can substitute them with alternatives based on availability or budget.
Each plan is presented as a schematic, detailing the components, their connections, and where to purchase them. These setups are informed by years of feedback and best practices from the solar community.
Conclusion
Going off-grid is a rewarding journey that requires careful planning and the right components. While my plans can guide you, your system should reflect your unique energy needs and circumstances. Always consult experts to ensure safety, efficiency, and durability.
By sharing these insights, I hope to empower more people to explore sustainable energy solutions. If you have questions or feedback, feel free to connect with me—I’m always happy to share what I’ve learned.