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A Standalone (Off-Grid) Solar Electric System

Off-grid solar systems are most common in remote locations, typically where providing grid power is cost prohibitive.  Of course, a standalone system can work anywhere (and they do!).  They've been retofitted into RVs and boats, and are used to provide emergency power during grid power failures.  Place such a system on a platform that allows it to be towed by a vehicle and you have portable solar power - just like the systems North Star Energy Services manufactures.

The components required for a standalone system are:

  1. Photovoltaic (PV) panels
  2. Array mounting rack
  3. Array DC disconnect/breaker
  4. Charge controller
  5. Battery bank
  6. System meter
  7. Main DC disconnect
  8. Inverter
  9. AC breakers

Let's look at each of these components.


Off-grid system diagram
If you want to learn more about the physics of photovoltaics, visit the Solar Energy Technologies Program, Photovoltaics section at the Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy site.
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