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Off-Grid Power and Beyond: How to Run Your Home Independently
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What does it take to produce your own energy and live independently? If you’ve ever dreamed of cutting ties with utility bills, avoiding outages, or reducing your carbon footprint, this guide’s for you.
Let’s break down what off-grid living takes and how to do it right.
What does off-the-grid living mean?
When you hear "off the grid," you might picture a cabin in a remote area powered by a few solar cells and wind turbines, completely disconnected from modern conveniences. But the reality is more nuanced than this popular image suggests.
Going off the grid means your home produces and stores all its electrical power, often from renewable energy sources such as solar and sometimes a wind turbine. Instead of being dependent on your local utility company, you're your own electricity provider.
Think of it like managing a household budget, but for electricity. Instead of flipping switches and expecting power, you'll keep an eye on how much energy your solar panels produce, how much your batteries have stored, and what you're using throughout the day.
Is going completely off the grid right for you?
An off-the-grid lifestyle sounds appealing. Total energy independence, saving money, and the peace of mind that comes with self-sufficiency.
But before you cut ties with your utility company, it's worth considering what a true off-the-grid home involves. Here are some key factors to weigh before making the leap:
Assessing your energy independence goals
Most homeowners considering off-the-grid solutions are motivated by three main factors:
Rising electricity costs
Frequent power outages
Desire to reduce their carbon footprint
These are all valid concerns, and solar energy can address them. The question is whether living off the grid is the best way to achieve your goals.
At Sunrun, we do not offer fully off-the-grid systems. Instead, we offer grid-tied solar systems with battery backup–a great compromise that offers similar benefits to off-grid living with none of the challenges.
For those concerned about power reliability, a grid-tied solar system with battery backup often provides better protection than living off the grid. You get the best of both worlds—energy independence during outages, and the security of utility power during extended cloudy periods or when your system needs maintenance.1
Edible Integration: Access to solar-powered irrigation and rainwater harvesting allows you to grow your own food. This reduces trips to grocery stores, aligns with circular energy use, and cuts your carbon footprint. |
Your home's grid-tied solar system's potential
Not every home is a good candidate for off the grid or grid-tied solar system living, but you might be surprised by what's possible with the right system design.
Your roof space and orientation are key in determining how much renewable energy the solar system on your roof can generate. South-facing roofs sloped between 15 and 40 degrees are ideal, but even homes with east or west-facing roofs can work well with Sunrun’s advanced solar technology.2
Your geographic location also matters, but here's some good news. Solar panels work even on cloudy days. Our advanced solar cells absorb direct and diffuse sunlight, so your panels keep working even when the sun isn't shining brightly. To maximize energy independence, just ensure you have reliable battery backup storage.
But even in sunnier climates, you'll need to account for seasonal variations. For example, in California, December produces far less solar energy than July, which means your system needs to be sized for the time of year with the least amount of sun.
Select low-voltage appliances: Opt for 12V or 24V appliances to reduce energy conversion loss and maximize battery performance. |
Sunrun grid-tied system vs going fully off the grid
Going off the grid sounds appealing. Complete energy independence, no monthly utility bills, total control over your power. But there’s a smarter solution.
If you’re concerned about electricity reliability, a grid-tied solar system with battery backup can provide better protection than going entirely off the grid. This approach gives you energy independence during outages and power stability when your system requires maintenance.
Reasons why Sunrun’s grid-tied solar system is a better alternative to going completely off the grid:
Energy freedom: Power your home with solar during the day, store excess in your battery, and have the grid as backup during extended bad weather.
Net metering: In some areas, you may be able to send excess electricity back to the grid during peak production, helping offset your overall energy use.
24/7 monitoring with Sunrun Subscription Plan: Sunrun’s maintenance and monitoring keep you less dependent on the grid while avoiding the hassle of managing your system.
Improving your home's energy efficiency is key to getting the most out of grid-tied and off the grid solar systems.
Tips for saving energy:
Use Energy Star-rated appliances to reduce overall energy use and optimize system efficiency.
Switch to LED lighting. LEDs use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs, preserving battery life.3
Eliminate phantom loads using smart electricity strips to disconnect devices that draw power even when “off fully.”
DC Heating: Opt for DC-compatible heating appliances, which are more efficient in off-grid solar systems and reduce energy loss from conversion. |
How Sunrun's grid-tied solar panels + storage actually work
Here's where it gets clever. At Sunrun, we design your system to work seamlessly in the background, enabling you to manage your energy like a smart financial advisor manages your investments.
During sunny days, your solar panels generate clean electricity that powers your home first, then charges your battery for later use. Any excess energy can earn you credits through net metering programs.
Instead of paying those expensive evening rates during peak rate hours, your system automatically switches to stored battery power. During the most expensive times, you're essentially being your own power company.
During power outages, your battery system kicks in within milliseconds, so fast that your clocks won't even reset. While your neighbors are fumbling for flashlights, you're watching TV and keeping your refrigerator running.
Sunrun's monitoring technology constantly tracks your system's performance, weather patterns, and energy usage to automatically maximize your potential savings. No PhD in electrical engineering is required.
The genius of this approach is that you get 80-100% energy independence for your daily needs while maintaining the reliability of grid connection for those rare times when you might need extra power. It's like having a backup plan for your backup plan, except your main plan is saving money.*
Getting started with solar
Taking the first step toward energy independence can feel overwhelming, but the right approach makes all the difference.
Steps to get started with solar energy
Professional assessment and planning
A home energy audit is suggested before diving into any energy independence solution. This isn't just about looking at your utility bills. It's about understanding your home's unique energy profile throughout the year. When you partner with Sunrun, we guide you step-by-step through all necessary planning to ensure you get the energy system tailored to your needs.
A Sunrun representative will review the following with you:
Your current energy consumption patterns and peak usage times
Roof condition, orientation, and available space for solar panels
Shading analysis to identify potential obstacles to solar production
Local climate data and seasonal sunlight variations
Electrical panel capacity and any necessary upgrades
Choosing the right partner
Energy independence is a long-term investment that requires ongoing support, maintenance, and expertise. Choosing the right installation partner can make the difference between a system that serves you well for decades and one that becomes a source of frustration and unexpected costs.
At Sunrun, we've helped over 1 million customers go solar with 15+ years of solar installation experience. Our approach focuses on understanding your specific energy independence goals rather than pushing a one-size-fits-all solution.
With a properly designed setup, you can also achieve independence in off-the-grid living while retaining the reliability of grid connectivity through Sunrun’s advanced solar and battery storage solutions.
Whether you choose our popular Sunrun subscription plan or decide to purchase your system outright, you'll receive the same level of expert service.
Generate energy and enjoy uninterrupted power
Access to a grid-tied solar system with battery backup puts the power in your hands while maintaining reliability. You generate energy, store what you need, and stay connected when it counts.
That's where Sunrun comes in. We're here to help you figure out what makes sense for your home and your family. We'll work with you to find the right energy solution for your lifestyle and goals.
Ready to explore your options? Contact Sunrun today to schedule your free consultation and discover how to power your home on your own terms.
*Percentage of daily usage coverage depends on system sizing and customer usage.
Sources
1. https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/default/files/2024-08/az1782-2019.pdf
2. https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/homeowners-guide-going-solar
3. https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/led-lighting