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What's the Big Deal About Off-Grid Solar?

Written by Posted On Friday, 20 May 2016 11:40
What's the Big Deal About Off-Grid Solar?

 

Going “off the grid” is a term often used by people looking to break away from the mainstream power and connectivity sources and become self-sufficient. Off-grid solar systems are one way to do that, as they are standalone. Off-grid solar systems have to be able to not only create and deliver energy, but store it as well, so you’re able to power your home even when there is no sunlight outside. Solar energy is powerful, as well as renewable. However, despite its benefits, there have been naysayers, and legislation has even been passed that prevents people from living “off the grid.” In this article, we will discuss the arguments for and against off-grid solar power, hopefully shedding some light onto what makes this seemingly anodyne technology so controversial in some states.

Legal arguments against living off-grid from Florida and Texas

In rulings that surprised many, Florida and Texas made it illegal to use off-grid solar energy. With the emergence of more and more communities practicing off-grid living, Texas and Florida decided to take a stand against the innovation. In Texas, several SWAT teams were dispatched to break up “The Garden of Eden,” a standalone community whose members left in handcuffs after Texas claimed they were violating the law. Florida did not have quite so dramatic a scenario, but still enacted similar legislation.

The reasoning of these states is that living off-the-grid is dangerous because it does not conform to property maintenance codes. In Florida, for example, officials claimed that living off the grid was “bad practice by law,” as people were violating the International Property Maintenance Code, which requires that homes be connected to electricity and running water. While the IPMC is voluntary for cities and towns, if your city or town decides to implement it, you need to obey.

Public officials feel that the IPMC and other regulations are safe and provide a sense of continuity for a community, as well as simplicity -- if everyone is connected to the same grid, it is easier to help residents who have power issues. These arguments against off-grid solar technology are not taken lightly by many states and counties, as evidenced by legal action they have enacted against off-grid residents.

Off-grid solar systems: pros and cons

Off-grid solar systems rely on batteries that store the electricity generated by solar panels. This stored electricity will help supply power during nights and days when there isn’t the sunlight required to produce new energy. This is beneficial because, if the grid goes out in town, your power will still be on because you’re not tied to it. Even if your on-grid neighbors go dark, you won’t. You’re insulated from shocks and outages that come from being grid-tied. Another “pro” of living off-the-grid is the reduced energy costs. Often, energy bills fluctuate throughout the year when you are attached to a grid. In this case, you aren’t subject to these vacillations and rising energy costs.

An argument against off-grid solar energy is that you cannot take advantage of government-awarded energy tax credits the way grid-tied solar energy systems can. Also, the batteries needed for your solar energy system are expensive to keep and replace, so that extra cost is a factor to consider, particularly if you are unsure about whether or not the battery cost would be outweighed by the grid-energy bill cost.

There are arguments both for and against off-grid solar energy, and, as evidenced by the arrests made in Texas and the legislation passed there and in Florida, some find it to be a contentious issue. Depending on who you ask, off-grid solar is definitely a big deal.

 

 

 

 

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Shammy John

Shammy is an Real Estate Agent and Write an article on Real Estate, Home Insurance, Home Owner.

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