Is It Possible to Go Completely Off-Grid in 2024?
The availability of solar panels has made living completely off-grid much more accessible. In recent years, legislation has changed, answering the question of whether it’s legal to live off-grid with a resounding yes in most cases. However, there are some limitations, notably for weather and climate. Photon Brothers provides off-grid installations in California, but options are more limited in Colorado due to winter snow.
If you’re wondering how to live off-grid, this guide dives into what you need to know, including:
- What is considered as living off-grid
- Considerations for off-grid living
- Planning to live off-grid
- Backup power sources when living off-grid
- Installing your solar power system
Before you commit, be sure to review what states you can live off-grid in and familiarize yourself with any laws, regulations, and permits that may be necessary.
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What Is Considered Living Off-Grid?
Living off-grid means generating all of your energy yourself without a connection to an energy company. To achieve this, your home must be fully self-sufficient and capable of producing enough electricity to power itself full-time.
While off-grid living is generally legal in both Colorado and California, homeowners may run into potential complications. California, in particular, allows counties to regulate this. Zoning laws may present roadblocks, and California has the strictest code requirements. So to go off-grid in California, you need permits and to meet several code regulations.
Considerations for Off-Grid Living
While solar energy is virtually always worth it long term, you still need to consider whether going off-grid is right for you. Before you commit, weigh the pros and cons, along with the following:
- Climate. While it may be possible to create an off-grid system in Colorado, it takes a lot of consideration due to the climate. Snowy winters can make remaining off-grid all winter difficult. In many parts of California, off-grid living is possible thanks to ample sunshine year-round.
- Risk of losing power. Your solar system will need a backup power source if you want to live off-grid to avoid running out of power.
- Cost. Going off-grid can be nice in theory, but may not be in your budget on paper.
Let’s talk about cost in more detail, because it’s one of the most important considerations you’ll face when going off-grid.
You see, most homeowners who are even considering going off-grid are going to pay something to get power to their homes. The on-grid option typically costs around $100k, which includes having a utility company install new electricity on the property. Of course, utility bills are necessary with this setup.
On the other hand, the average off-grid project in California could be around $100k as well, but the owner will incur zero utility bills AND they’ll receive the 30% tax credit and other rebates for their new system on top of that. The bottom line: the cost of both options is high, but there’s a significant ROI when going off-grid versus tying into electricity when it wasn’t previously there.
Planning to Live Off-Grid
Off-grid living requires extensive planning, including knowing your energy usage and determining how many solar panels you need.
Energy usage can be determined by reviewing your home’s usual power bill, typically listed under kilowatt-hours (kWh). Review the winter and summer months when your energy usage is likely to be higher due to climate control.
Divide the total monthly kWh by 30 to get the daily average usage. Then, divide that by 12 hours of sunlight per day. Multiply your number by 1,000 to determine how many watts you use per hour.
Typically, solar panels are sold in 100 – 400 watts per panel. Once you know how much power you need, you can decide on a panel and start calculating the number necessary. For example, if you use 2,400 watts per day, you need at least six 400-watt panels. However, most technicians recommend doubling or tripling up to ensure you always have ample energy stored for nights, cloudy weather, or shorter winter days.
Backup Power Sources When Living Off-Grid
To minimize the risk of interruptions when off-grid, you need a reliable backup power source. Solar batteries, like Powerwalls, store excess energy generated during the day to use at night or on cloudy days when your panels aren’t as efficient. In Colorado, we require a backup generator in addition to Powerwalls to ensure you have power during storms or rough winter conditions. However, if this is a vacation home that isn’t occupied full-time, a generator may not be necessary.
Some homeowners prefer to supplement their solar panels with an emergency generator instead of backup batteries. However, this may require you to remain connected to your area’s natural gas lines and typically involves extensive infrastructure investment.
Installing Your Solar Power System
Once you’ve committed to off-grid living with solar energy, it’s time to start working with a professional. Start by scheduling an estimate to discuss your wants and needs. After, you need a consultation with your professional team.
The team at Photon Brothers can custom-design your project, including acquiring all necessary permits and inspections. Installation typically takes a few days and once you get the final approval, you’re ready to go off-grid.
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