If you need an answer to the question “how does off grid solar work?” keep reading because this article will explain it in simple terms.

If you have deeper technical questions that go beyond the basics, please talk to us directly.

But first, before we dive in:

Are you reading this because you are looking at owning (or upgrading) an off-grid solar system? If you are, and you want to understand it better, go ahead and download our free E-book which is jam-packed with all the goodies on this subject. It’s been updated for 2023.

If you’re looking for the short answer, you’ll find it in the box below.

How does off grid solar work: The short answer

During daylight hours, even on overcast days, solar energy is captured as direct current (DC) by solar panels. That current is passed along cables to an off grid solar inverter. In modern systems the inverter, charger and controller are combined in an all-in-one unit.

This DC energy is converted to alternating current (AC). Buildings and dwellings are set up to run on AC power.

A distribution board (also called a switchboard, fuse board or fuse box) is a part of a building’s electrical system. It receives power from a main source (your off grid power plant) and feeds it through one or more circuits to distribute the electricity throughout a home. Nearly all homes and businesses will have at least one distribution board built in. Typically it’s installed where the main power feed enters the building.

During the day (especially in the warmer months in NZ), the solar array will typically produce more energy than the house can use at any one time. If it does, the excess power is redirected to your battery bank to be stored. It is accessed as required after dark, during low-light conditions, or during the day when the demands for power in the house exceed the energy produced by the solar array.

When power from the battery bank is needed, it’s sent to the distribution board (after it has been converted from DC to AC power), and used by the home.

If and when the battery bank is depleted, an auto-start backup generator will start. It will run for a period of time to fill the battery bank. The house will continue to use power sourced from the battery bank until there is sufficient daylight to recharge it. 

The cycle continues.

The expandable Power Station off grid power plant

Your Power Station system is a self-contained, hand-assembled unit.

All components are imported, assembled and tested to be NZ compliant by our inhouse engineers.

With the exception of your solar panels on the roof, your off grid solar solution is neatly contained in two compact steel cabinets.

It’s designed to be easily stored in a suitable internal location such as up against a garage wall or in a separate, suitable garden shed.

  1. Solar PV panels (1) mounted on your roof or near your house capture energy from the sun and convert this
    energy into DC electricity.
  2. A solar Inverter/charger (7) converts this DC electricity into 230V AC electricity.
  3. Power is sent to the main house switchboard (3) where it is distributed to power appliances and lighting as required.
  4. The battery inverter can do two things: It can convert surplus DC power and store it or it can allow the
    batteries to provide power to the house by converting DC electricity into usable AC electricity.

Conclusion

solar off grid family

Energy is collected by your solar panels. It is converted by your all-in-one inverter system to AC power and sent to your home’s switchboard.

From there it’s accessed by your appliances and equipment as you need it.

During the day, energy that’s not used by the house is stored in your battery bank.

After dark or on dark days, the inverter accesses your battery bank and makes it available to be used.

Assuming there’s enough sunlight, the battery bank is replenished each day.

Free design service

If you have an off grid project and you need expert help, or if you have a question, please get in touch.

You can view our range of off grid systems and sizing to get started.

There is no charge for our design and consulting service.