Power cuts, slow grid connections and irregular supply of electricity are everyday problems in rural India.
An off-grid solar system by JAKSON Solar solves it by producing, storing and supplying all the electricity a home needs.
Key Takeaway:
- This guide covers what an off-grid solar system is, how it works?
- What are various components of an Off-grid Solar System.
- What is the overall cost of the system
What is an Off-Grid Solar System?
An off-grid solar system is a standalone solar power system that can power your home without a grid connection. It is normally used where there are frequent power cuts or there is no electricity supply.
Since off-grid solar systems are not connected to the grid, they need a battery bank with enough capacity to store power for the night and for cloudy days.
This type of system is best for farmhouses, rural homes and villages, coastal and hill locations, and remote sites such as telecommunications towers.
Even larger off-grid solar power plants can also run whole villages, schools and small industrial units.
Off-grid solar systems are more expensive than on-grid systems, as they need batteries and, in some cases, a backup generator as well.
How Does an Off-Grid Solar System Work?
Here is how an off-grid solar system works, step by step:
- Generate Electricity: Off-grid solar panels on your roof or a ground-mounted system turn sunlight into DC electricity.
- Regulate: A charge controller manages that power and sends it to the battery bank, protecting the batteries from overcharging.
- Store: Deep-cycle batteries hold the energy for use at night or on cloudy days.
- Convert: An off-grid solar inverter changes the stored DC power into AC electricity that can be used to run appliances like lights, fans, water pumps, and other electrical appliances.
- Back-up (optional): If the batteries run low after several cloudy days, a backup generator recharges them or powers your loads directly.
In many systems sold in India, the charge controller and inverter come together in one unit, often called a solar PCU (power conditioning unit). This keeps the off-grid solar setup compact and simpler to install.
Off-grid solar power systems give homes and businesses complete energy independence, with no monthly electricity bills and steady power wherever the grid can not reach.
With good quality solar panels, a correctly sized battery bank and routine care, they deliver dependable electricity for decades. Solar panels have a life of 25-30 years, while batteries are replaced during that time depending on their type and maintenance.
Off-Grid Solar System Components
Every off-grid solar system is built from the same core parts. Here is what each one does and what to look for.
1. Solar Panels:
- Role: The primary source of energy generation in the system.
- Function: Solar panels capture sunlight and convert it into direct current (DC) electricity using photovoltaic (PV) cells. The amount of electricity generated depends on the size of the panel, its efficiency, and the amount of sunlight received.In an off-grid system, panel output matters even more, because every unit you generate has to cover your full daily use. High-efficiency off-grid solar panels produce more electricity from a smaller roof or ground area.
2. Charge Controller:
- Role: Protects the battery and ensures efficient energy transfer.
- Function: It regulates the flow of electricity from the solar panels to the batteries. It prevents overcharging, which can damage the batteries, and stops the batteries from discharging too much, which can shorten their lifespan. Advanced charge controllers also maximise energy collection using Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) technology.
3. Battery Bank:
- Role: Stores the energy generated by the solar panels.
- Function: Stores excess electricity generated during the day for use at night or during cloudy periods. The battery bank helps to ensure a continuous power supply when sunlight is unavailable.
Lithium-ion batteries cost more but last longer and can be discharged more deeply. Tubular lead-acid batteries cost less upfront but need more upkeep and are replaced sooner.
Battery capacity decides how many hours or days your system can run without sun, which makes it the biggest sizing decision in any off-grid solar system with battery storage.
4. Off-Grid Solar Inverter:
- Role: Converts stored electricity into a usable form for appliances.
- Function: Transforms the DC electricity stored in the batteries into alternating current (AC) electricity, which is what most household appliances use. Some inverters also include advanced features like energy monitoring and integration with backup generators.
Choose an off-grid solar inverter rated above your highest combined load, with headroom for motors such as water pumps, refrigerators and air conditioners, which draw a surge of power when they start.
5. Backup Generator (Optional):
- Role: Provides additional power during prolonged low sunlight periods or high energy demand.
- Function: Acts as an extra backup energy source to recharge the batteries or directly power appliances when the solar system cannot meet energy needs. Generators are typically powered by fuel like diesel, gas, or propane.
6. Solar Mounting Structure:
- Role: Supports the solar panels securely.
- Function: Ensures that solar panels are held in place and positioned at the optimal angle to capture maximum sunlight. The mounting structure must be durable and weather-resistant, especially in off-grid locations with extreme conditions.
7. Wiring and Electrical Components:
- Role: Connects all the components of the system.
- Function: Ensures efficient and safe transmission of electricity between components, such as solar panels, charge controllers, batteries, inverters, and appliances. Proper wiring is critical to minimise energy loss and prevent electrical hazards.
8. Energy Monitoring System (Optional):
- Role: Tracks the performance of the system.
- Function: Provides real-time data on energy generation, consumption, and storage. It helps users optimise their energy usage and identify any maintenance issues promptly.
Are You Planning Your Off-Grid Solar Setup?
The right off-grid solar setup depends on how much electricity you use each day and how many days of backup you want.
You can use the following example:
Daily use: Add up the units (kWh) your appliances use in a day. A past electricity bill or a list of appliance wattages and hours of use is the starting point.
Panel capacity: In most parts of India, 1 kW of solar panels produces about 4 units a day. Off-grid systems are usually sized a little larger to cover battery losses and cloudy spells.
Battery capacity: Multiply your daily use by the days of backup you want, then allow for how deeply your battery type can be discharged.
Example: A farmhouse using 5 units a day, with one day of backup, would need roughly 2 kW of panels and a battery bank of about 6 to 7 kWh with lithium, or about 10 kWh with lead-acid.
These are rough figures for illustration. Site, shade, season, and appliance to be run, all change the final design, so every installation should be sized by a qualified installer.
Off-grid or another system?
An off-grid solar system for home use makes sense when the electricity supply is missing or is very unreliable. If your home has a working grid connection but frequent power cuts, a hybrid system may suit you better, and if the grid is stable, an on-grid system costs the least and qualifies for the PM Surya Ghar subsidy.
See our guide: Off-Grid vs Hybrid Solar System for Home in India.
Want a quick estimate first? Try our Solar Calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an off-grid solar system?
An off-grid solar system is a standalone solar power system that runs without any connection to the utility grid. Solar panels generate electricity, batteries store it, and an inverter supplies it to your appliances day and night.
How does an off-grid solar system work at night?
During the day, the panels charge the battery bank through the charge controller. At night, the inverter draws on the stored battery power, so your lights, fans and appliances keep running without sunlight.
How long do off-grid solar batteries last?
It depends on the battery type and how it’s used. Lithium-ion batteries commonly last around 10 years, while tubular lead-acid batteries usually last around 4 to 6 years. Deep, frequent discharges and high temperatures also shorten battery life.
Can an off-grid solar system run an AC or a water pump?
Yes, if the system is sized for it. Motors and compressors draw a surge of power when they start, so the inverter needs extra headroom, and an AC running for several hours needs a much larger battery bank. Tell our team which appliances you want to run, and we shall size the system around them.
Is there a government subsidy for off-grid solar in India?
The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana subsidy covers grid-connected rooftop systems only, so a fully off-grid home system doesn’t qualify. Farmers installing standalone solar water pumps may be eligible under PM-KUSUM (Component B) through their state nodal agency.
What is the difference between off-grid and on-grid solar systems?
An on-grid system is connected to the utility grid and sends extra power back through net metering, but it shuts off during a power cut. An off-grid system has no grid connection and relies fully on batteries. Read our off-grid vs hybrid solar system guide for a full comparison.
Off-grid solar power systems offer reliable energy for remote areas, and as one of India’s leading solar module manufacturers, JAKSON Solar makes high-efficiency panels for off-grid, hybrid and on-grid systems.
For more information:
Call JAKSON Solar Experts at: 1800-103-2600 (Toll Free)
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Email at: solar-bu@jakson.com
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