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Living off-grid is something many people dream of. It empowers you to be more independent, live more environmentally friendly, and even save more money in the long run.
While the upfront cost to go solar does intimidate some, it’s an investment that produces both long and short-term benefits and savings. So, how much does it cost to go off-grid and fully solar, and what will the process require?
In this guide, learn what components you’ll need, how much solar power it’ll take, and how to calculate the cost of achieving energy independence through solar power.
Overview of off Grid Solar Power Systems
Off-grid solar power systems are a great way to become more self-sufficient and eco-friendly. In most cases, they’re used in small cabins, RVs, boats, and sometimes entire houses. However, there is a lot that goes into having a solar system.
The components you will purchase include:
- Solar Panels: They harvest sunlight and turn that energy into a direct current (DC).
- Charge Controller: The charge controller regulates the voltage and current running from the panels to the battery to prevent overheating and overcharging.
- Battery: The battery stores excess energy for later use on rainy or cloudy days.
- Inverter: The inverter converts DC into alternating current (AC), which can be used to power household appliances.
- Wiring: Good wiring ensures a good connection between connections, prevents energy loss, and increases efficiency.
- Mount: The mount is the component that holds the panels in place and faces them towards the sun.
How Many Solar Panels Do You Need to Go Off Grid?
Before purchasing a solar power system, you’ll need to calculate the number of panels you’ll need.
How Many Solar Panels to Run a 2000 Sq Ft House Off-Grid?
Running an entire house off-grid is a considerable task, especially for bigger houses. When estimating how many panels you should buy, you need to know your energy consumption and confirm you have an area with enough space to put your panels.
Below is a chart that provides a rough estimate of how many panels you’ll need based on your consumption rates and space.
| Solar System Size | Number of Panels | Estimated Space |
| 5kW | 26 | 289 Sq. Ft |
| 10kW | 52 | 578 Sq. Ft |
| 20kW | 105 | 1,168 Sq. Ft |
| 50kW | 255 | 2,838 Sq. Ft |
| 100kW | 510 | 5,676 Sq. Ft |
| 200kW | 1020 | 11,352 Sq. Ft |
You should note that this estimate is based on 200W panels, which is a common power output. When you’ve selected your panels, you will need to determine their actual power output to get more accurate estimates.
Can I Go Off-Grid With a 10KW Solar System?
A 10KW system would be enough for your typical home. Having one or two EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Solar Generators (PV400W) would be enough to power your off-grid system.
You could also purchase any of the EcoFlow Solar Panels and start working towards building a personalized setup for your needs.
However, in many cases, you don’t even use that much. Many smaller off-grid setups on RVs or boats could easily run on smaller generators, like the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus (220W), which would provide more than enough energy.
How to Calculate How Many Solar Panels You Need
Ready to get started? Here are the steps you need to take to determine your needs and set up your solar-powered system:
Step 1: Determine your Energy Consumption
First, you need to determine a precise estimate of your energy consumption so that you can accurately calculate how many panels, batteries, and other components you will need.
You can find this out by examining your monthly utility bill, which should tell you your kilowatt-hour (kWh) usage. Then, divide that number by the number of days in that month to find out how many kWH you used each day.
From there, you can find out what your panels’ output will need to be to power your house.
Step 2: Get the Right Solar Panel Output
The next step is to pick out the panels that will provide you with the ideal wattage output.
A panel’s output depends on the wattage of the panels, listed in its product description, and the number of peak sunlight hours in a day at your location.
You calculate the panel’s output by multiplying its wattage by the peak sunlight hours and then dividing that number by 1000.
This formula will give you your kWh and will help you determine how many panels you need for your home. Just remember that for each panel, you will need additional components. Pre-made solar kits do exist and may be a good option for those looking to simplify the process.
Step 3: Calculate How Many Panels You Need
To figure out how many panels you need, you will divide the number of kWh your house produces each day by the number of kWh one of your panels’ produces in a day. This will give you the number of panels you will need to run your house for an entire day.
Keep in mind that the more panels you have, the more components, especially batteries, you will need.
How Big of a Battery Bank Do I Need to Be Off-Grid?
When selecting a battery, you’ll need to know your home’s energy consumption and the amp-hours (AH) of the battery.
You will also want to be sure to have enough energy stored to last 2-3 days in the case of storm systems, multiple cloudy days, or during the winter months when sunlight is significantly diminished.
To find out how big a battery capacity you should be looking for, you will divide the watt-hours needed by the battery’s voltage. That is your recommended battery capacity for one day. If you are trying to have enough for 2-3 days, you will multiply that number by the number of days you are saving for.
However, you may not have to do so much math if you are just looking to power a boat or an RV. Like any EcoFlow Solar Generator, most solar generators come as one kit and are priced as one unit. It makes the set-up and purchasing process much quicker than buying all of the individual parts.
How Much Does an Off-Grid Solar System Cost?
Unfortunately, solar systems do come with a significant upfront cost. However, they pay themselves off over time since you don’t have to pay a recurring fee every month like you do with your traditional energy methods.
Also, the cost can vary based on how big of a system you are trying to run. Some smaller systems, like one to power an RV, can be extremely affordable. Many of the EcoFlow DELTA Series Solar Generators are affordable and incredibly portable, making them one of the best options for small off-grid systems.
However, if you’re trying to run a large system that powers your entire home, you will need to figure out how much one panel, battery, and all the corresponding components cost. Then, multiply that by the number of panels needed to meet your energy requirements.
Depending on your energy requirements, sunlight hours, and the number of panels and equipment you need, you can expect to pay roughly $20,000-$80,000 to go completely off-grid.
Frequently Asked Questions
To live off-grid you’ll typically need anywhere between 10KW and 100KW of solar power. This is based on your energy needs as well as the amount of daily sunlight your area gets.
Depending on the size of your system, you will need between 50 and 500 panels. You should also consider the space you have and where you want to install them, whether on your roof or in fixed mounts on the ground.
Final Thoughts
Going off-grid is a dream come true for most people. However, before embarking on the endeavor, make sure you know your home’s power needs and the number of panels and components it will require.
Solar panels are an investment, but there are affordable options, like any of the EcoFlow Solar Panels, that produce savings that will last years and empower a greener and more independent lifestyle.