Frequently Asked Questions

Every installation has different energy use requirements and use habits. We consider your specific situation along with the energy production resource available at your site. The level of autonomy and many other factors can be built into your system. We do not set unrealistic expectations around budgets or performance by offering a package system. You can be confident that a design and installation from Off Grid Energy will meet your expectations. To get an indication on pricing feel free to get in touch.

Battery life is always speculative. We rely on manufacturers and suppliers to advise us on battery expectation. We pass that on to you along with our experience in what we are seeing in the industry. Along with product selection, battery life is closely related to how well the system is designed and balanced with your energy use and generation resources. This is why package systems or a one-size-fits-all approach carry risks of failure.

Understanding battery technology is an extensive science. Generally, lead-acid batteries have a depth of discharge versus cycle life curve that you should be able to access from your supplier. There is an optimal cycle depth to ensure longevity. This varies extensively with different products. Temperature can be a significant factor. Lithium batteries also have their place. We are not trying to push a particular product, but ensure you can make a fully informed decision and offer you a range of products with recommendations on what technology will best suit your application. Battery life can vary from 2 to 10+ years, depending on the product and the application. There are so many variables, but feel free to discuss this with us.

Not all systems require generators. Depending on the size of your system, a generator can be cheap insurance to protect your batteries. A good quality auto-start diesel generator also adds diversification, which adds to autonomy. Depending on your other methods of generation and your battery capacity, a generator is not always necessary. We can advise you specifically regarding your requirements.

While the cost of solar per watt has steadily fallen, overall costs have not necessarily reduced. Technology has advanced particularly around the management of power systems. In our experience of viewing an extensive number of under performing systems, good quality and modern technology is well worth the cost. The solar panels are a relatively cheap component in a system. Good quality framing, inverters, batteries, and generators are a much greater cost in the overall price of a system. Focusing on the cost of solar panels can lead to unrealistic expectations around the overall cost of a system.

While the overall efficiency of solar panels has improved and gets some publicity, much greater improvements have been made in batteries, inverter chargers, and management technology of systems. Using advanced technology allows us to build systems without limits that can power large architectural homes with electric hot water and electric cooking, including induction cooktops. Along with remote monitoring and access, and auto start generators, our systems are consistently proving to be more reliable than the grid power. In fact, our energy systems rarely experience power outages where the grid can have 5 or 10 outages per year.

We have built power systems on remote hilltops and remote islands in hostile (weather) environments. No logistical challenge is too great for us. We have moved over 30 tonnes of equipment onto challenging sites using barges, and helicopters. Most of our construction team of sub-contractors have been working together for over 30 years and thrive on a good challenge. We also have specialised hand-held ground screw equipment to build foundations where diggers can not access.

Generators can sometimes automatically run without logical explanation. With remote monitoring and performance downloads we can often quickly log in to your system and diagnose why. Usually, an unexplained generator run is to complete a battery equalisation. We can also see alerts and any change in pattern with battery voltages. Remote access is often as good as standing in front of your system but saves extensive call-out costs, especially to remote sites. Generators run for many reasons, but battery voltages, excessive loads, and equalisation are common reasons.

As batteries near the end of their life, they have less capacity. It is relatively easy to establish this by looking at the individual cell voltage under load along with obvious factors like the age of the cell. Flooded lead acid batteries can also have a specific gravity test. Some work can be done to reduce sulphation in cells by optimising charge rates and performing repetitive equalisation cycles. We often see cells that have prematurely reduced capacity due to poor component selection, design and charge settings. It is not so simple as to be generating the same amount of energy you use. Charge rates are important to battery health. This is why the design and selection of equipment is critical. If your battery health is showing signs of deterioration, ensure you get qualified specialist advice to protect your investment.

Depending on the size of your project and the complexity of the logistics, we can often fit urgent work in at short notice. The nature of energy systems often requires urgent response. We understand that electricity is no longer an optional service and is now regarded as essential to ensure your communications, access to financial, health and other services as well as refrigeration and water pumping and treatment ensure your house remains inhabitable. For these reasons we often go above and beyond to help you with any challenging or urgent situations. Occasionally supply chains can delay projects, but we have a good network of suppliers with excellent working relationships based on good old-fashioned loyalty. In any supply delay we can work on alternatives but will not compromise on quality. For any new projects planning ensures a good outcome. We are often involved early in the project to work alongside other contractors and designers to ensure your site and building are best utilised and serviced with energy. We have had a number of new projects where the first item to be built is the power system which provides a reliable and trouble free energy supply for other construction contractors so they can focus on their core business.

Depending on the size of the project other contractors may be involved for anything from labour and logistics to construction and general electrical work. Our full time of team of electricians can cope with most systems but we have had up to 10 sub contractors on sites for construction of substantial foundation systems along with truck, barge, and helicopter operators. We have great working relationships with any subcontractors that may be required. The core of our subcontractor team have been working together in the construction industry for over 30 years. We are all passionate about providing great service, respecting your environment, and problem solving as a team. Other subcontractors can include engineers and independent electrical inspectors to ensure the best outcome for clients.

Our preference is to give you an up-front quote for the complete project. If there are any likely extra costs these will be outlined in the quote and reasons that they cannot be quoted or may be variable. We are not the type to give a cheap price and load it with extras later. Some costs that may not be included in our quote are costs of power sheds or enclosures, trenching, or any other work that you or your other contractors may take care of.

We can take care of as much ancillary work as required. It depends on what your requirements are. There are options available from a complete build, including sheds, equipment enclosures, and generators, right down to basic inverter panel and battery installations. No job is too big or too small for us.

Depending on your equipment some minor changes can be made to optimise performance. Often the limitations are in the equipment selection. If this is the case we prefer to discuss your end goal or ideal outcome and various steps to achieve that within your budget.

Wind and hydro can be more complex due to moving parts and constant management. We can and have installed these, but most often, the wind and hydro resources can be marginal. We have worked on many sites with existing wind and hydro systems. It is no problem to integrate existing wind and hydro turbines into system upgrades. With new system builds, we often find that the passive nature of solar is most suitable for clients' lifestyle requirements. A diverse range of generation sources can include wind, hydro, solar, generator and the grid. Any number of these can be combined or added on to systems.