Has anyone gone off the grid?

Dan S

Literally, "the grid" would seem to be referring to the electric grid. However, when people use it colloquially, it often implies disconnection from all public utilities. In my mind, that would also include water, sewer, gas, etc. But it wouldn't necessarily suggest no connection to satellite communications.

And in the case of the OP house, being truly off the grid would require a lot of battery storage for such a large house. I don't know if that's the case or if they are just producing enough electricity on a monthly basis to power the house, but they still rely on the grid to balance out the power supply and demand. For people living in a populated area, truly disconnecting from the grid requires a lot of extra cost, and of course there would be no back-up in case their own system had a problem.

D Duckie

Being Grid-connected is complex enough when one factors in the changing landscape around solar and regulations and legislation.
As I currently enjoy generous feed in tarifs that will expire in mid 2028, I'm not thinking of changing my current set up on my place until after then.
Assuming full responsibility for one's own power supply is a risky proposition in my part of the world with storm damage being first and foremost in the mind.
To that, we have just replaced a large section of the roof on our family held rural property homestead that dates back to when it was built in the late 1800's. The hail damage to it which had accumulated over the years was phenomenal, with some dents being from hail that was probably bigger than cricket balls and all well before our collective living memories.
One can only imagine how costly it would be to replace and or insure properly. That's not factoring in the risk of fire from a fault from any part of a solar set up. Wind is another set of problems again.

It's not like I haven't contemplated it though.
I have wondered about going off grid on the basis of a low voltage set up, with no inverters except for something small to run a fridge, a freezer and maybe a decent TV and or sound system(I like my music).
Basically an off grid solar set up with deep cycle batteries to basically run lights and a radio.
Everything could be sourced from previously decommissioned systems by leveraging off some industry connections and some serious networking.
There's enough basic 12 volt stuff out there that's cost effective to source and replace as needed👍

In the interim there is a large shed which needs to be built out at the farm and it's not cost effective to grid connect it from where the (SWER) power runs into the property. It may well become the first building on the property that's a stand alone off grid scenario but I don't envisage it having much of a w/shop unless I can feed a big enough 3 phase inverter but I would be hesitant to run a high quality welder off it and certainly not my 3 phase pulse GMAW. The inverter AC/DC stick welder is supposedly rated to run off a generator and I understand the US navy has them as standard equipment for shipboard use at a pinch for emergency repairs so that's going to be OK.