99 3 Avenue Northwest
Glenwood, AB T1H 7A3.
Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm
Saturday & Sunday CLOSED
(403) 593-1270
Off-Grid
Off-Grid
NO MORE Delivery and Transmission Charges. No MORE administration fees. Going Off-Grid in Alberta means that you can produce your own renewable energy to cover your unique needs and establish complete freedom and independence from local utility companies! Say goodbye to unexpected energy expenses and live off-grid! Start planning today!
What does Off-Grid mean?
No more electric bills.
No more grid blackouts.
No more concern about rising energy costs.
Washers or dryers, pools or hot tubs, even air conditioning units, it’s all possible going off-grid in Alberta
Today, off-grid living does not automatically mean a simple cabin or controlled living conditions, you can continue to enjoy modern conveniences.
Advantages of Off-Grid Solar Systems
1. No access to the utility grid
Off-grid solar systems can be cheaper than extending power lines in certain remote areas.Consider off-gird if you’re more than 100 yards from the grid. The costs of overhead transmission lines can be very expensive.
2. Become energy self-sufficient
Living off the grid and being self-sufficient feels good. For some people, this feeling is worth more than saving money. Energy self-sufficiency is also a form of security. Power failures on the utility grid do not affect off-grid solar systems.
On the flip side, batteries can only store a certain amount of energy, and during cloudy times, being connected to the grid is actually where the security is. You should install a backup generator to be prepared for these kinds of situations.
Equipment for Off-Grid Solar Systems
Living off the grid and being self-sufficient feels good. For some people, this feeling is worth more than saving money. Energy self-sufficiency is also a form of security. Power failures on the utility grid do not affect off-grid solar systems.
On the flip side, batteries can only store a certain amount of energy, and during cloudy times, being connected to the grid is actually where the security is. You should install a backup generator to be prepared for these kinds of situations.
Solar Charge Controller
Battery Bank
DC Disconnect (additional)
Off-Grid Inverter
Backup Generator (optional)
Solar Charge Controller
Solar charge controllers are also known as charge regulators or just battery regulators. The last term is probably the best to describe what this device actually does: Solar battery chargers limit the rate of current being delivered to the battery bank and protect the batteries from overcharging.
Good charge controllers are crucial for keeping the batteries healthy, which ensures the lifetime of a battery bank is maximized. If you have a battery-based inverter, chances are that the charge controller is integrated.
Battery Bank
Without a battery bank (or a generator) it’ll be lights out by sunset. A battery bank is essentially a group of batteries wired together.
DC Disconnect Switch
AC and DC safety disconnects are required for all solar systems. For off-grid solar systems, one additional DC disconnect is installed between the battery bank and the off-grid inverter. It is used to switch off the current flowing between these components. This is important for maintenance, troubleshooting and protection against electrical fires
Off-Grid Inverter
There’s no need for an inverter if you're only setting up solar panels for your boat, your RV, or something else that runs on DC current. You will need an inverter to convert DC to AC for all other electrical appliances.
Off-grid inverters do not have to match phase with the utility sine wave as opposed to grid-tie inverters. Electrical current flows from the solar panels through the solar charge controller and the bank battery bank before it is finally converted into AC by the off-grid-inverter.
Backup Generator
It takes a lot of money and big batteries to prepare for several consecutive days without the sun shining (or access to the grid). This is where backup generators come in.
In most cases, installing a backup generator that runs on diesel is a better choice than investing in an oversized battery bank that seldom gets to operate at it's full potential. Generators can run on propane, petroleum, gasoline and many other fuel types.Backup generators typically output AC, which can be sent through the inverter for direct use, or it can be converted into DC for battery storage.
Looking for quality and affordable solar solutions for your home?
about 3B Energy
Established in Lethbridge Alberta, 3B Energy's goal is to provide clear and reliable energy alternatives. Energy solutions are complex and your specific needs are considered carefully.
Contact
99 3 Avenue Northwest, Glenwood, AB T1H 7A3
(403) 593-1270
milo@3benergy.ca
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