Choosing the best off-grid solar system is not easy as off-grid systems are many times more complicated than common grid-connected solar systems. Today we highlight some of the many considerations which must be taken into account and discuss the various off-grid system types available. We also explain why a good quality inverter-charger is vital to building a reliable off-grid system. Finally, we will dive into the different brands available and determine which systems are best suited to different applications.
When it comes to sustainable energy solutions in remote areas, an off-grid solar system is often the ideal choice. As an experienced off-grid solar installer in Tasmania, Countryside Solar specialises in providing reliable, independent energy solutions for homes and businesses that are not connected to the main power grid. Whether you live in a rural area, on a farm, or in a secluded location, we can design and install a system tailored to your energy needs, ensuring you have consistent, clean power year-round. Off-grid solar systems offer a number of benefits, especially for those who want to reduce their reliance on traditional power sources and contribute to a greener environment. The beauty of off-grid solar is that it enables total energy independence. With a properly designed solar system, you can power your entire home or business without being connected to the grid, eliminating monthly electricity bills and protecting you from rising energy costs. The process of installing an off-grid solar system in Tasmania starts with understanding your specific energy needs. Every household or business has different requirements, so it’s essential to work with a team of professionals who can accurately assess your usage and design a system that will meet your needs. Countryside Solar takes the time to evaluate the size of your property, the amount of sunlight you receive, and your energy consumption patterns to create a custom solution that ensures optimal performance. Our off-grid solar systems are designed to be reliable and efficient. We use high-quality solar panels, inverters, and batteries to ensure that you have access to clean energy even during cloudy days or at night. The combination of solar panels and battery storage means that excess energy generated during the day is stored for later use, providing power when the sun isn’t shining. This makes off-grid systems ideal for locations where the grid connection is either unavailable or unreliable. One of the key benefits of an off-grid solar system is the ability to control your energy usage. Many homes and businesses in Tasmania rely on backup generators or other costly energy sources when they are off the grid, but with an off-grid solar system, you can eliminate those additional costs. The system will store enough energy to power your home or business, even during extended periods of bad weather. This level of energy security is a major advantage for those living in rural or remote areas of Tasmania. At Countryside Solar, we understand the challenges that come with installing and maintaining an off-grid solar system. Our team of experts has years of experience in designing and installing these systems in Tasmania’s diverse environment. We work with you every step of the way, from the initial consultation to installation and ongoing maintenance, ensuring that your off-grid system continues to perform at its best. Installing an off-grid solar system in Tasmania can also add value to your property. With increasing demand for sustainable living solutions, homes and businesses with off-grid solar installations are seen as more desirable, especially in rural and off-the-beaten-path locations. You’ll not only enjoy the benefits of clean, renewable energy but also contribute to Tasmania’s goal of reducing its carbon footprint and promoting sustainability. The cost of installing an off-grid solar system can vary depending on the size of your property and your energy needs. However, many homeowners find that the long-term savings on electricity bills and reduced maintenance costs make the initial investment worthwhile. Additionally, government incentives and rebates may be available in Tasmania to help offset the cost of installation, making the switch to off-grid solar even more affordable. Whether you're looking to power a remote cabin, a farm, or a business, an off-grid solar system is a smart investment that provides long-term benefits. Countryside Solar is proud to be a leading off-grid solar installer in Tasmania, and we are committed to delivering high-quality, tailored solutions that meet your specific energy needs. If you’re ready to embrace sustainable, independent energy, contact us today to learn more about how an off-grid solar system can work for you.
Best off-grid inverter – 5kW+ power ratings
Australian company Selectronic built the SP PRO inverter-chargers to have the maximum peak/surge power rating and the maximum 30 minute power rating. It is flexible enough to be used as the control strategy to control robots via relays and digital inputs and outputs, or for load or generator control among many other control strategies. But it's arguably got one of the best energy management programmes that you can find on top of amazing hardware.
Premium quality does not come without a premium price, and the SP PRO inverters are among the more costly models out there, but when compared to off-grid systems that can easily reach into the tens of thousands of dollars, the small amount extra paid is worth it for the power and features required in an off-grid system. Features and performance, coupled with a leading 10-year warranty put the SP PRO on our list of the best. Selectronic, based in Melbourne, Australia, was founded back in 1964 and has been manufacturing electronics and power conversion equipment for over 50 years. Over this time, the company has evolved to become a world leader in energy storage management systems and recently opened a much larger manufacturing facility to cater for the increasing demand. To say Selectronic is modest is an understatement, the company manufactures what is arguably the most advanced battery inverter-charger in the world with a relatively small team of designers and engineers. In recent years, Selectronic has grown significantly and now exports to countries around the globe, including Germany, which is known for manufacturing some of the best solar equipment. Part of the reason for the companies success is that, unlike most other inverter manufacturers, Selectronic only focuses on designing and manufacturing high-performance, energy storage inverter chargers.
Best off-grid Inverter – 2kW to 5kW power rating
Victron Energy, located in the Netherlands, is an international company that is high quality, and very well-known manufacturing firm with a huge array of products that will include battery chargers all up to sinewave inverters, inverters chargers, DC/AC converters, transfer switches, battery monitors, charge controllers, among others. Victron offer the most cost-effective range of multi-mode inverters having an enormous range of sizes with comprises the new MultiPlus II inverters/chargers. It offers the Victron for many applications which provides the better quality for the lower cost, mainly for the DC coupled system. The options of Victron's remote systems are highly sophisticated and support full remote access and control plus some powerful monitoring features. The Victron products seem to be pretty easy for installation, offering a range of add-ons and options of configuration.
Best off-grid inverter for extreme environments
Founded in 1981, SMA Solar Technology is a German supplier of solar energy equipment ranked high among the world’s largest solar inverter producers. The Sunny Island inverters have a proven record of success in harsh outside temperatures, especially very low temperatures.
OutBack Power inverter/chargers have a reputation of delivering superior product performance for remote off-grid power systems. With the recent introduction of the Radian Series Inverter/Charger, OutBack now offers an ideal solution for advanced Grid/Hybrid applications and full flexibility for grid-interactive and off-grid installations.
The FX Series Inverter/Charger is a pure sine wave inverter in modular form, one capable of producing cleaner, more reliable electricity than what’s available from typical electrical grids—and adaptable to nearly any system configuration through a building-block design. This product can be optimized for a variety of applications including off-grid, grid-interactive, mobile and low power applications. This family of solar Grid/Hybrid™ Radian Series Inverter/Charger is engineered for one goal: to make the design and installation of solar systems easier and faster in grid-interactive and comprehensive off-grid applications. Founded on the proven technology basis of OutBack, this Radian Series simplifies the configuration, distribution, and implementation of energy storage in a standardised approach integrated with an OutBack GS Load Centre, which makes it easy to offer successful solutions to any residential, commercial, or institutional power requirement.
Schneider Electric SE is a French multinational company that specialises in digital automation and energy management. It addresses homes, buildings, data centers, infrastructure and industries, by combining energy technologies, real-time automation, software, and services.
Schneider Electric is a Fortune Global 500 company, publicly traded on the Euronext Exchange, and is a component of the Euro Stoxx 50 stock market index. In FY2020, the company posted revenues of €25.2 billion.
Schneider Electric is the parent company of Square D, APC, and others. It is also a research company.
Countryside Solar is great company and easy to talk to . Would recommend everyone 👌 to go for Countryside Solar. Installers were great.
Nick and Kieron were very helpful, reliable and friendly to deal with. Very happy with the price and thanks to the guys who intalled the system for being friendly and easy going. Highly recommend this company.👍 …
Just have to say countryside solar has done amazing job hooking up our solar and it also runs a caravan and our house we never run out of power thanks Wendy and Nick
Down to Earth, answered all my questions, happy with the service, quick install, made the install easy and stress-free, with Wendy I was relaxed and felt comfortable to buy solar. I am glad I did