Going off-grid: All you need to know
"I'd put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we don't have to wait until oil and coal run out before we tackle that." - Thomas Edison in 1931
Almost an entire century later, Edison may be shocked that the world is still relying primarily on oil and coal for its energy source. However, over the past few decades, his wish to see the world tackle the exploration of new energy sources is being taken more seriously than ever.
Today, choosing to go off-grid - whether it is to become more environmentally conscious or to save money - has become an accessible (if still initially expensive) alternative for many.
If you are looking to go off-grid, read on.
Restructuring your source of power
Finding an alternative power source may be the single greatest obstacle you face when going off-grid. Fortunately, as Edison pointed out, alternatives do exist and are rather more accessible than many may realise. Installing a power source that does not depend on coal is one of the biggest steps toward making your home energy independent. Your two primary options are:
Solar power
The go-to source of alternative power is something South Africa has ample supply of throughout the year: the sun. Solar power systems rely on photovoltaic (PV) cells that capture the sun's rays, generating direct current and converting it to alternate current through an inverter. The size of the system, including how many solar panels must be installed, relies on how extensive your solar needs are. For households going partially off-grid, using a solar power system to power the home's geyser is often the first step in cutting electricity costs drastically. Partial solar power solutions can also be extended to lighting, plugs, and beyond.
When using solar power to go entirely off-grid, the use of a high-end battery system allows you to store solar power actively for continued use. As you would expect, the only downfall is that the batteries need to charge every day after they have discharged their stored-up power - a problem for the rainy months and overcast days. Acquiring a system that offers you enough reserve power does get rather costly. When you no longer have Eskom's power supply as a fallback, it is also advised to acquire a backup generator for worst-case scenarios.
Gas power
One of the largest electricity-eaters in any home is the oven. However, the electricity needed to power an oven for general baking and cooking can easily deplete the entire solar battery stores in no time. Fortunately, an accessible alternative exists for ovens and stoves in LP gas. When electric ovens came onto the scene, gas ovens had already been in use for an entire century, so their accessibility in today's age is understandable. In many countries, gas stoves and ovens are still the preferred option.
However, modern gas ovens and stoves still require access to an electrical source to ignite the necessary flames. When going fully off-grid, special battery igniters can be installed in gas ovens to save on unnecessary battery power usage. This option also means that the oven is entirely autonomous and can remain in working order even if there is a problem with the rest of the power system or the solar battery stores have been depleted.
Rethinking your water usage
Water is a scarce and highly valuable resource, and as such, all households can benefit from rethinking their water usage. The first step in getting away from relying fully on municipal water supply is the use of greywater. In this case, greywater refers to the water used during bathing and laundry washing that can be reused for activities that do not necessarily require clean water, such as watering gardens or flushing toilets.
When ceasing to rely on public utilities, gathering water from alternative sources becomes your primary concern. Gathering water from natural sources, such as springs, may be an option if you can find a clean enough source, though the most reliable source is rainwater. But while capturing rainwater in buckets may be a viable option for households who simply want to lower their municipal water usage, going off-grid entirely will require the installation of a cistern and a water harvesting system that captures the maximum amount of water.
Re-evaluating your lifestyle
Ultimately, going off-grid is about changing the way you live in the world and gaining the freedom of living autonomously without having to rely on others for your livelihood. The easiest way to start achieving this goal is by planting a vegetable garden. While growing a fruit tree takes years, vegetable gardens can start bearing fruit within a few short months. The reward of feasting on a garden salad or freshly picked sauteed spinach from your own garden is an unparalleled feeling, especially when served with homemade sourdough bread, courtesy of those newly acquired lockdown baking skills.
Going off-grid can change the role your home plays in your life. And once your home is not simply a provider of shelter but a property that enables self-sufficient living, its market value will also increase as South Africans seek alternative solutions to the increasing unreliability of public utilities. Whether you are taking the first small steps or looking to go fully off-grid, let one of our iAgents help you find the best way forward.
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn
www.meridianrealty.co.za
Thinking about becoming a part of the Meridian family? Find out how to become an iAgent.
www.meridianiagent.co.za
This article is a general information sheet and should not be used or relied on as legal or other professional advice. No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein. Always contact your adviser for specific and detailed advice. Errors and omissions excepted (E&OE)
Almost an entire century later, Edison may be shocked that the world is still relying primarily on oil and coal for its energy source. However, over the past few decades, his wish to see the world tackle the exploration of new energy sources is being taken more seriously than ever.
Today, choosing to go off-grid - whether it is to become more environmentally conscious or to save money - has become an accessible (if still initially expensive) alternative for many.
If you are looking to go off-grid, read on.
Restructuring your source of power
Finding an alternative power source may be the single greatest obstacle you face when going off-grid. Fortunately, as Edison pointed out, alternatives do exist and are rather more accessible than many may realise. Installing a power source that does not depend on coal is one of the biggest steps toward making your home energy independent. Your two primary options are:
Solar power
The go-to source of alternative power is something South Africa has ample supply of throughout the year: the sun. Solar power systems rely on photovoltaic (PV) cells that capture the sun's rays, generating direct current and converting it to alternate current through an inverter. The size of the system, including how many solar panels must be installed, relies on how extensive your solar needs are. For households going partially off-grid, using a solar power system to power the home's geyser is often the first step in cutting electricity costs drastically. Partial solar power solutions can also be extended to lighting, plugs, and beyond.
When using solar power to go entirely off-grid, the use of a high-end battery system allows you to store solar power actively for continued use. As you would expect, the only downfall is that the batteries need to charge every day after they have discharged their stored-up power - a problem for the rainy months and overcast days. Acquiring a system that offers you enough reserve power does get rather costly. When you no longer have Eskom's power supply as a fallback, it is also advised to acquire a backup generator for worst-case scenarios.
Gas power
One of the largest electricity-eaters in any home is the oven. However, the electricity needed to power an oven for general baking and cooking can easily deplete the entire solar battery stores in no time. Fortunately, an accessible alternative exists for ovens and stoves in LP gas. When electric ovens came onto the scene, gas ovens had already been in use for an entire century, so their accessibility in today's age is understandable. In many countries, gas stoves and ovens are still the preferred option.
However, modern gas ovens and stoves still require access to an electrical source to ignite the necessary flames. When going fully off-grid, special battery igniters can be installed in gas ovens to save on unnecessary battery power usage. This option also means that the oven is entirely autonomous and can remain in working order even if there is a problem with the rest of the power system or the solar battery stores have been depleted.
Rethinking your water usage
Water is a scarce and highly valuable resource, and as such, all households can benefit from rethinking their water usage. The first step in getting away from relying fully on municipal water supply is the use of greywater. In this case, greywater refers to the water used during bathing and laundry washing that can be reused for activities that do not necessarily require clean water, such as watering gardens or flushing toilets.
When ceasing to rely on public utilities, gathering water from alternative sources becomes your primary concern. Gathering water from natural sources, such as springs, may be an option if you can find a clean enough source, though the most reliable source is rainwater. But while capturing rainwater in buckets may be a viable option for households who simply want to lower their municipal water usage, going off-grid entirely will require the installation of a cistern and a water harvesting system that captures the maximum amount of water.
Re-evaluating your lifestyle
Ultimately, going off-grid is about changing the way you live in the world and gaining the freedom of living autonomously without having to rely on others for your livelihood. The easiest way to start achieving this goal is by planting a vegetable garden. While growing a fruit tree takes years, vegetable gardens can start bearing fruit within a few short months. The reward of feasting on a garden salad or freshly picked sauteed spinach from your own garden is an unparalleled feeling, especially when served with homemade sourdough bread, courtesy of those newly acquired lockdown baking skills.
Going off-grid can change the role your home plays in your life. And once your home is not simply a provider of shelter but a property that enables self-sufficient living, its market value will also increase as South Africans seek alternative solutions to the increasing unreliability of public utilities. Whether you are taking the first small steps or looking to go fully off-grid, let one of our iAgents help you find the best way forward.
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn
www.meridianrealty.co.za
Thinking about becoming a part of the Meridian family? Find out how to become an iAgent.
www.meridianiagent.co.za
This article is a general information sheet and should not be used or relied on as legal or other professional advice. No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein. Always contact your adviser for specific and detailed advice. Errors and omissions excepted (E&OE)
25 Feb 2022
Author Meridian Realty