In recent years, you may have clearly felt that electricity prices are rising, there are many power outages, and electricity consumption is becoming more and more unstable.
Some people think it's just an occasional phenomenon, but when the power outage changes from once a year to "several times a year", more and more families begin to realize that we are too dependent on the power grid.
Just last month, a reader living in the suburbs told me in an email:
"On the rainy day, the house suddenly lost power, the food in the refrigerator was completely, the water pump could not pump water, and the child cried and said that he couldn't watch TV... At that moment, I just wanted to install a system that could generate electricity by itself."
This is not an exception. Whether it is a self-built house owner, a farmer, or an ordinary family who just wants to make their family more confident, they almost ask the same question:
Is there a way to make my home "no longer afraid of power outages" and save money for a long time?
The answer is - Complete Off Grid Solar Panel System.
And smarter users are no longer satisfied with the "pure off-network system", but choose:
Off-grid + generator backup hybrid scheme
This system allows you to provide stable power supply on rainy days, low light in winter, and high power load, without any environmental restrictions.
If you are looking for a solution that can really make your family energy independent, free to use electricity, and save money in the long run, then the following content will be worth reading.
Why has the off-network system become indispensable now?
1. Electricity prices have risen, and the peak and valley price difference has been continuously increased.
Many users find that:
– The electricity of 0.5 yuan/kWh before has risen directly to 1.5 yuan during peak hours.
– What's more, electricity prices in some areas have risen twice a year.
Under the rising cost pressure, self-built cheap off grid solar system has become a stable choice for long-term savings.
2. Both cities and villages are experiencing more frequent power outages.
The increase of extreme weather, the aging of power equipment, and the surge in electricity load have made power outages more and more common.
Home power outage means:
– The refrigerator is down and the food is deteriorated.
– Water pumps, heating and air conditioners cannot be used.
– Interruption of home office
– Small shops are not open for business
Many users began to actively seek stable and controllable backup energy sources instead of passively waiting for the power grid to recover.
3. There are more and more scenes of temporary electricity in remote areas.
Country villas, farms, pastures, camps, RVs, construction sites...
These places often have high power grid access costs, which is tens of thousands of yuan. At this time, an affordable off-grid solar kit is more economical than laying a power grid.
4. The decline in the cost of renewable energy makes the off-grid system more "cost-effective"
The price of photovoltaic modules has fallen from 5 yuan/W ten years ago to 1 yuan/W today.
The price of energy storage batteries has also dropped significantly, and the cost performance has been greatly improved.
More and more users realize that:
Now installing an economical off-grid solar setup is the best time to enter the era of energy self-suppicient.
What is an off-grid solar system with "generator backup"?
An off-grid solar system with a backup generator is usually composed of:
Solar panel (PV)
Battery energy storage (LFP lithium battery)
Off-network inverter
Standby generator (diesel / gasoline / gas)
ATS or system management module
Its operating logic is very simple and clear:
Solar energy priority power supply ➜ Battery energy storage supplement ➜ Generator bottom guarantee
When the light is strong, the load is covered by photovoltaics and batteries;
When there is a continuous rainy day and the battery power drops to the set value, the system will automatically start the generator to replenish the energy.
This method is more reliable than the "pure off-grid system", which is especially suitable for areas with unstable power.
Why is the hybrid scheme more stable than the pure off-network system?
Many users just want to make a low-cost budget off-grid solar solution at the beginning.
But everyone who has used it knows that the pure off-grid system does not have the "bottom" of the generator, which is very risky.
1. In winter, the sun angle is low and the power generation is insufficient.
The battery is deeply discharged every day, and the life is sharply shortened.
2. Continuous rainy days, I can't stand it for a day.
Especially in the northern winter, it is normal for the sun to come out for two or three days.
3. High-power equipment starts up with large current
Refrigerator, air conditioner, water pump...
The start-up moment may exceed the capacity of the inverter, resulting in jumping.
4. The generator intervenes automatically, and the system will not be "black screen"
Combined with intelligent ATS or hybrid inverter, the generator can be automatically started in the following situations:
Battery SOC is less than 20%
The load exceeds the instantaneous bearing range of the inverter.
More than 48 hours of continuous cloudy days
The result is:
✔ Never-ending electricity
✔ No damage to the battery
✔ Applicable to multiple scenarios
✔ Longer life
Who is the most suitable person to install this system?
This kind of system is very suitable for the following users and scenarios:
✔ Countryside self-built house / villa
Reduce the dependence on the power grid, and no longer worry about using electricity at night.
✔ RESPIDED FARMS / FARMS
Water pump, monitoring, lighting all-weather guarantee.
✔ Temporary electricity at the construction site
The cost of the external power grid is high, but mobile photovoltaics + generators are more economical.
✔ Small shops and workshops
Reduce the impact of power outages and maintain stable production.
✔ RV / Camping
The mobile energy system is more free and independent.
You can make a simple judgment:
As long as you don't want to be constrained by the power grid or need a more stable independent energy system, this hybrid solution is your best choice.
The core components and functions of the system
The following is the description of the functions of each part of the system, and it is developed in combination with the characteristics of our company's off-network inverter.
1. Solar panel (PV)
Provide the main power supply
Power recommendation: 3kW / 5kW / 10kW
Attention to selection: temperature coefficient, small angle performance, anti-PID effect
2. Off-grid inverter (core equipment)
Recommended products: HJ series off-grid inverter
Highlights and features:
Cost-effective, suitable for cheap off grid solar system
Rounded appearance design, high-end and stable
Support lithium battery BMS communication
Support external Wi-Fi monitoring
Support the generator to start the dry contact automatically
Display the load power in real time
Pure sine wave output, compatible with more household appliances
Short-circuit protection, higher security
Application scenario:
✔ Residential off-line
✔ Small shops
✔ Camps and holiday homes
✔ Hybrid energy storage
✔ Mobile photovoltaic system
3. Battery energy storage system (LFP recommendation)
It is mainly used for power supply at night and on rainy days.
Recommended capacity 5–20kWh
LFP battery life is longer and safer
4. Generator (backup)
Diesel/gasoline optional
Recommended power = inverter rating × 1.2–1.5
Key parameters: stability, fuel consumption, noise
5. ATS or EMS monitoring system
Realize:
Automatic switching
Battery protection
Logical control of generator start and stop
Overall efficiency optimization
How do generators and solar energy work together?
An excellent cost-effective off-grid energy system is not simply "able to generate electricity". It must run smartly.
1. The startup logic is clear
Automatic start-up when the battery is less than 20%
The system load exceeds the inverter peak.
Continuous rain exceeds the set value
The user triggers manually
2. The generator charges the battery and carries the load at the same time.
Improve the fuel consumption utilization rate
Reduce the overall running time
3. Avoid frequent starts and stops
Our inverter control strategy:
Set the delay start
Set the minimum running time
It can effectively reduce the loss of generators.
VII. How to configure the system?
The following are the most commonly used configuration examples (home users):
| Daily Household Consumption | Recommended PV Power | Battery Capacity | Suggested Generator | Typical Users |
| 5 – 8 kWh | 3 kW | 5 – 10 kWh | 3 – 4 kW | Small families, holiday cabins |
| 8 – 15 kWh | 5 kW | 10 – 15 kWh | 5 – 6 kW | Standard households |
| ≥ 20 kWh | 8 – 10 kW | 15 – 20 kWh | 8 – 10 kW | Large homes, small workshops |
Cost composition and budget reference
The system cost of a low-cost off-grid solar power system usually depends on:
Photovoltaic modules
Off-network inverter (core)
Battery energy storage
Generator
Cables and protective devices
Installation cost
Compared with traditional diesel power generation:
The early investment of solar energy is high, but it is the most economical in the long run.
Diesel engine has high fuel costs, high maintenance and high noise.
The hybrid scheme can reduce the generator usage time by 50%–80%.
ROI is usually 3–5 years.
Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
1. How long can the system last on cloudy days?
Depending on the battery capacity, it can generally support 1–2 days; with the generator, it can last indefinitely.
2. What should I do about the noise of the generator?
You can make a soundproof box or choose a low-noise model, which has little impact.
3. How long is the battery life?
LFP batteries are generally 6–10 years old.
4. My family uses 10 degrees of electricity every day. Is it enough?
With 5kW photovoltaic + 10–15kWh battery, it is the most reasonable configuration.
5. Off-network VS on-network, which one is better?
Want to save electricity bills: connect to the network
Want to be energy independent and avoid power outages: off-grid with generators is better
Why is the off-grid system with "generator backup" the best solution?
If you are looking for:
✔ Lower electricity cost
✔ Higher power supply stability
✔ The sense of security of not being afraid of power outages
✔ Energy independence and sustainability
✔ Long-term energy plan suitable for families or enterprises
Then a cheap off grid solar system with generator backup is the best solution.
Contact us for a quotation and we will provide you with a free off-grid solar system design scheme.
(Professional configuration suggestions can be provided according to your daily power consumption, budget and scenario needs.)