Hey everyone, I'm revisiting the idea of getting a DIY off-grid solar system after some years. The cost of modern grid-tie hybrid inverters and batteries, like the ones from EG4, seems much more reasonable now compared to what I saw five years ago. Plus, they're super convenient!
I'm interested in a system that could legally operate off-grid during outages, and I'm curious about using tax credits and grid feed to manage expenses.
I've started gathering prices but thought it'd be easier to ask those who have been there, done that. Here are some things I'd love to know:
- What was your total cost?
- How much did you get back in federal rebates?
- How tough was the permitting process?
- Any tips on building a wind-rated ground mount on the cheap?
For reference, I'm considering a setup with:
- 20kW solar
- 30kWh battery, expandable
- Ground mount
- ~15kW output while off-grid
2 Answers
If you're looking at a 20kW solar and a 30kWh battery, I'd estimate you might be around the $25,000 mark if you're doing a lot of the work yourself with approved materials. If you factor in the federal rebates, you could drop that to about $17,000. Just make sure you’ve got all the legal paperwork sorted for permitting.
Also, don't forget, Zillow suggests that solar increases your home’s value - about 3% in my area! So, you might be looking at a net cost closer to $8,000 after all's said and done.
Honestly, if you’re just tying it to the grid, I wouldn’t worry too much about the battery size unless you're dealing with specific rate differences. A couple of kilowatt-hours for storage should suffice for typical needs unless you expect outages regularly. But hey, if you want backup power, go for those batteries!
Yeah, my power isn't super reliable, so having batteries seems like a smart move. Why spend on a generator when I could just invest in storage instead?
That sounds pretty realistic! I've heard similar things from others in my area. It's definitely worth doing the math to see if it’ll pay off long-term.