SYSTEM DESIGN – HOW WE DO IT

AND ASSESSMENT OF EXISTING SYSTEMS

For us to be able to design your off-grid power system we need to understand your specific needs and circumstances. To gain this understanding we will need to ask a lot of questions about:

• your house (size and location),
• the number of people occupying the house,
• what appliances you wish to use,
• your routines,
• time the appliances are used and
• for how long.

It’s important that we get your estimated kWh usage per day so that your Off-Grid system can be correctly sized to meet your needs and expectations. To assist us. make sure you and your family discuss what kind of appliances you are having in your Off-Grid home and your household routines.  Also consider if you are:

• happy to reduce the number of appliances simultaneously in use to reduce the cost of your off-grid power system
• or if you would prefer living like you are connected to the grid and
• if you want future proof your system – make it expandable.

Hot water – Gas, heat pump or solar hot water
An average electric hot water system 4-person family, can use 4 kWh per day. An off-grid solar power system can supply this power; however, it drastically increases the size of the system – and the cost.  Gas or solar, reduces or eliminates the burden on the off-grid power system, reducing the size and cost of the electrical system.

Cooking
Electric cook-tops and ovens are also a large load for an off-grid system to supply. Although running ovens and elements from your off-grid system is definitely achievable you may find going with gas will reduce the size of the off-grid power system and save you a lot of money.

Heating
Electric heaters are very large electrical loads. When run for long periods don’t really fit in with an off-grid situation. Small reverse cycle air conditioners (heat pumps), are a better option, although, they are still a relatively large load. Wood or gas heaters provide good heating and don’t affect the size of the off-grid power system.

Energy efficient appliances
If you are building a new property or renovating an existing one and replacing the appliances, take note of the energy ratings for appliances and choose appliances with a lower power consumption. LED lighting also greatly reduces the load on an off-grid power system

Routines
When the sun is out, use your bigger consuming appliances. Do your washing, vacuuming and all other household routines during the day, this way the electricity is in-effect supplied directly from your panels and not discharging your batteries. For smaller systems, you may want to load-share, which means staggering the use of your high draw appliances such as toasters, microwaves and kettles etc. This will reduce the requirement for a large off-grid inverter which will save you even more money on system cost.

In Tasmania there are areas that can be affected by fog for longer periods than others. If the location of your house is suspectable to these extended low sun periods, we will need to take this into account when designing your power system

If we get your power consumption and routine right, we can strike the perfect balance between reliable safe energy and value for money.