Can you truly be off the grid?

By Eric Weddle · 6 min read

A common goal for customers looking to get solar panels is whether they can truly be off the grid. More specifically, customers are often looking to see if solar panels will allow them to completely disconnect from electric utilities, where they are completely independent and solely responsible for creating their own electricity.

While it is a common question, the answer is dependent on several factors. There are a lot of variables that can determine whether you can truly be off the grid, and some of those factors are within your control while others are not. Let us take a look at how you can know for sure whether or not you can be truly power independent.

Some municipalities do not allow you to be truly off the grid

A major roadblock to being independent from the power grid is the fact that many municipalities simply will not allow you to be. If you live in the city limits of anywhere, there are likely rules and regulations regarding your connection to the electric utility, and many will not allow you to disconnect.

Even in areas where you are allowed to disconnect, the process often involves filing for appropriate permits and other paperwork. Partnering with a solar panel installer that offers to help you through the permit process, like Weddle & Sons, can save you a lot of time determining how independent from the grid you can be.

Some utilities limit kilowatt capacity for solar panels

Depending on what state you live in, there may be a limit on the kilowatt capacity of your solar panel system. That limit will restrict how much power you can produce at a time, and if you have high energy needs, a kilowatt limit could restrict your ability to be truly off the grid.

For example, if you live in Kansas, the largest kilowatt system you can have for residential properties is 15kW. In Nebraska, the limit is 25kW, and in Missouri, the limit is 100kW. If you own a business, those limits could be different. Businesses and schools in Kansas, for example, have access to higher kilowatt capacities than residential homes.

If your power needs exceed what you can legally build, then you will not be able to be truly off the grid.

Batteries are required to be truly off the grid

Regardless of the solar panel regulations in your city or state, you will need to have a battery system for your solar panels in order to be truly off the grid. Batteries store the excess power your solar panels generate so you still have electricity during times of low or no light, for example at night or during exceptionally cloudy days.

If you do not have a battery, you will experience times of low electricity production, or no electricity production at all, which is not really being energy independent. Batteries like the Tesla Powerwall are key to providing uninterrupted electricity for homes that are not connected to an electric utility.

Complex roofs can hamper solar capture

Roof complexity and a home's orientation can vary greatly. If you have complex roof geometry, or even a roof that faces the wrong direction, your ability to capture sunlight can be hampered.

This problem can be mitigated with added extra panels, or even installing an array in your yard instead of on your roof, but it can still pose a problem to getting enough power to be independent if space for an array is limited.

How do I know how much electricity I need to be off-grid?

In order to be off grid, you will need to know what your energy needs are. There is not a one-size-fits-all answer to this, since energy needs will vary widely from home to home. Some common home items that require high levels of electricity generally include:

• Large appliances like dryers
• HVAC systems
• Additional buildings on your property, like a shed
• Pools or hot tubs
• Electric car charging stations

Most solar panel installers, including Weddle & Sons, will compare your past power consumption with how much electricity your solar array can produce to make sure your solar panel system is a match for your needs.

Off the grid FAQs

Can I be off the grid with solar panels in Kansas? Many customers may find it difficult. Evergy, the electric utility, caps residential solar panel systems at 15kW. If your power needs are higher than that, or you need a higher capacity to effectively store extra energy, it may be difficult to be off the grid in Kansas. Municipal regulations might also not allow you to disconnect at all.

Can I be off the grid with solar panels in Missouri? It is comparatively easy. The kilowatt capacity cap for residential homes is 100kW, which is typically far more than what most homes will need to produce and store. Even so, local municipal regulations may prevent you from disconnecting from a local utility.

Can I be off the grid with solar panels in Nebraska? You may be able to, depending on your energy needs. The kilowatt capacity limit for residential homes in Nebraska is 25kW, which may be enough for daily use and storage. Regardless of your energy needs, municipal regulations may not allow you to disconnect from the grid.

Can I be off the grid with solar panels in Colorado? It depends on your power needs and where in Colorado you live. Some municipalities cap residential systems at 10kW, others at 25kW, and some cap it based on a percentage of annual production. Our Colorado solar team can help you understand the regulations perfectly and design a system that fits your home and stays within the rules.

Want to see if you can be truly off the grid?

There are a lot of factors that go into the answer: local regulations, state kilowatt limits, whether you are willing to purchase a battery, and the design of your roof. If you have questions, or you are looking for a solar panel installer, we would love to connect with you. Weddle & Sons has been in the roofing business for decades, and we leverage our roofing expertise to make sure your solar panels are installed correctly, without needless damage to your home. Contact us or call 844-974-7663 to get started.