Solar and battery systems, explained simply

Off-grid or hybrid: what’s the difference?

Off-grid solar: power without a grid connection

An off-grid solar system supplies electricity without relying on the electricity network. Solar panels generate power, batteries store it, and an inverter supplies the type of electricity your appliances use.

The design accounts for cloudy weather as well as sunny days. That means looking at winter solar production, overnight use and how a backup generator would fit into the system.

This is worth exploring for a new rural home, an unconnected property or an existing home where leaving the grid is a practical goal.

Hybrid solar: solar and batteries with the grid still connected

A hybrid solar battery system lets you use solar during the day and store some of it for later, while keeping your grid connection.

Blackout backup is something to check in the design. Some setups back up selected circuits, such as lights, the fridge and a water pump. Others can supply more of the house. The equipment, wiring and available battery energy determine what keeps running.

Keeping the grid connection usually means keeping the daily supply charge too. A battery changes how you use electricity; it does not automatically remove that charge.

What will the system run?

Think about breakfast. The fridge is running, someone puts the kettle on, and the water pump starts while another person uses the toaster.

Each appliance might be manageable on its own. What matters is what runs together, and for how long.

Three parts of the design work together:

• Solar panels: how much electricity the system can generate as the weather and seasons change.
• The inverter: how much power it can supply at once, including short bursts to start suitable motors.
• The battery: how much usable energy is available after accounting for its operating limits and system losses.

A bigger battery can help appliances run longer. It does not automatically let a smaller inverter run more appliances at the same time.

Which equipment suits your property?

Start with the job, then compare the equipment. A compact setup might suit one home. Another property might benefit from separate components or a different approach to backup power.

Our system pages explain the options from Victron, Sigenergy, Deye and EcoFlow. Capabilities vary between models, so we check the actual equipment proposed for your design.

If you have pumps, machinery or a three-phase supply, start with our three-phase off-grid guide. It explains why the total power figure is only part of the picture.

How we work through your design

Tell us about the property. Share where it is, what you run and what you would like to add later. An electricity bill can help if the property is already connected.

We work through the options. That includes solar, battery storage, inverter capacity and backup arrangements. We explain the reasons behind the recommendation and the proposed cost.

Understand the setup before moving ahead. You can see what it is designed to run, what happens in poor weather and what is included in the installation and support.

See our service areas to explore local coverage, or completed projects for examples of installed systems.

Common questions

Will a solar battery power my whole house in a blackout?

Not automatically. The system requires backup operation, and the appropriate circuits are connected to it. How much you can run and for how long depends on the design and the battery’s charge at the time.

Can I start with a hybrid system and go off-grid later?

Sometimes. Tell us at the design stage so we can check equipment capability, winter generation, storage and generator options. A grid-connected system is not automatically suitable for permanent off-grid use.

How do I choose a battery size?

Start with when you use electricity and how much you use. Evening use, overnight appliances and the backup time you are aiming for all matter. The largest battery is not automatically the right answer.

Let’s work out what suits your property

Tell us what you would like the system to do. We’ll help you understand the options and work towards a design you can feel comfortable with.

Get a custom design

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