Off Grid / Stand Alone Power Systems (SAPS)

The rapid technological advances in Off Grid Solar Power Systems and significantly reduced pricing in solar panels has now enabled living independently off the electricity grid to be more affordable than ever before. Off Grid or Stand Alone Power Systems can now be amortised within a decade and with rapidly rising electricity prices and the shift to renewable energy, they are now a very feasible alternative to connecting mains power to your home.

Click on a heading below for more information on some of the systems available;

3.3 kWh OFF GRID SOLAR POWER KIT (Caravan, Camper Trailer, RV)
5 kWh OFF GRID SOLAR POWER KIT (Cabin, Tiny Home, Weekender, 1 person Eco Home)
10 kWh OFF GRID SOLAR POWER KIT (Small 1-2 person Eco Home)
24 kWh OFF GRID SOLAR POWER SYSTEM (Small 2-3 person Eco Home)
48 kWh OFF GRID SOLAR POWER SYSTEM (Large 4 person Eco Home)
72 kWh OFF GRID SOLAR POWER SYSTEM (Large 5 person Lifestyle property)
96 kWh OFF GRID SOLAR POWER SYSTEM (Large 6+ person farm)
120 kWh OFF GRID SOLAR POWER SYSTEM (Large 8+ person farm)
3 Phase COMMERCIAL OFF GRID SOLAR POWER SYSTEM

The examples below show where Off Grid Power Systems can be used as an alternative to mains power;

• in locations where regular blackouts occur.

• for weekenders or holiday houses where daily electricity supply charges are deemed too expensive.

• for remote locations where grid power is not available.

• on properties where it is too expensive to supply grid power.

• for those who prefer to take advantage of the free power from the sun.

The following diagram shows a typical Off Grid Power System;

The successful design of a  Stand Alone Power System (SAPS), whether it be AC or DC Coupled, relies foremost on a well resolved balance between the solar array, Solar Inverter or Charge Controller, Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), Inverter/Charger and backup generator. However most importantly, it relies on the BESS having a minimum of 2 days autonomy or reserve energy storage. This is a critical aspect of any off-grid system design as it prevents the requirement for your generator to be used should your home slightly exceed the designed energy usage.

BE AWARE THAT MOST SOLAR COMPANIES CLAIMING THEY DO OFF GRID SYSTEMS WILL NOT INCLUDE ANY AUTONOMY IN THEIR SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS.

Most modern Off Grid Power Systems are designed using ‘AC Coupling’ which  enable all of your homes energy requirements to be provided directly from the solar array during the day, unlike traditional ‘DC Coupled’ systems which must provide ALL their power from the battery storage system.  Hence AC Coupled systems are far more efficient in most instances and cycle the battery system less, extending battery life considerably.

The battery inverter/charger is the heart of any AC Coupled off grid system and enables the AC energy from the solar inverter to be supplied directly to the house loads during the day and re-directs all excess solar energy and stores it in the battery system via the integrated charger. The stored energy is then used to provide power to the home during the night and in periods of inclement weather.  The battery inverter/charger also plays a critical role in managing the health of the battery system and ensures it is cycled correctly to obtain the optimal life span of the system. It does this using the solar energy and relies upon a secondary AC source such as a generator. Advanced off grid system include automatically controlled generators which enable the battery inverter/charger to stop and start the generator as required to ensure the battery system is looked after and also to assist with high surge loads or during excessive usage periods.

Our founder and system designer has been living in an Off Grid Solar Powered home for more than 20 years and our system designs range from basic portable systems through to 3 Phase commercial installations which have been installed and operating successfully across Australia.

The below list of Off Grid Solar Power Systems is a guide only as to what can be achieved with standalone solar power. These systems are all generally tailored to suit the specific energy needs and budgets of our customers. We offer a free comprehensive design service to ensure our customers are getting a system that suits their exact requirements and is fit for purpose.

Towards Tomorrow Energy happily take care of all the paperwork and offer Point of Sale discounts for all applicable government rebates.

With the solar industry becoming overcrowded with new brands and manufacturers, we only recommend and specify equipment that has been extensively tested in our own facility.

The type of battery storage is determined based on each individual application with technologies such as  Lithium, Flow, Carbon and Super Capacitors all slowly becoming more affordable however there are still many safety and reliability considerations with technologies such as Lithium when considering these battery systems for use in Stand Alone Power System application. The majority of off grid systems require a minimum of 2 days autonomy and are designed based on a Depth Of Discharge (DoD) necessary to achieve the optimal lifespan for each storage technology.  A backup generator is required for extended cloudy periods and an essential part of any well-designed Stand-Alone Power System.

Please note the systems specifications below are examples only and are typically tailor designed to suit each customers’ individual requirements and location. They all include the highest quality equipment available and are professionally designed in accordance with all relevant Australian Standards and include a required secondary AC source (Generator) to ensure they are eligible for the government rebate.

The kWh rating of each system is what each system has been designed to provide each day, all year round. All specifications include a minimum of 2 days autonomy (double their kWh rating), to ensure they provide reliable power through the winter months and periods of inclement weather.  During the summer months these systems will provide far more than their rated kWh capacity and will typically provide all daytime loads directly from the solar array extending the battery life considerably.

This portable DC Coupled solar power kit provides 3 kWh’s of usable power ( i.e. Designed to provide a minimum of 1.5 kWh’s per day with 2 days autonomy), ideal for running the basic load requirements of a small caravan, 4WD, camper trailer or hutt. The system will support loads such as a small 40L, 12V/ 240V fridge, basic LED lighting, small LCD tv, laptop computer, stereo. phone charger and small 12V water pump. The Inverter offers a sturdy robust construction complete with carry handle and can power 240V and 12V appliances simultaneously and is simple and easy to set up and pack away.

This kit includes;

• 5 KW (Continuous Rating), 12V Pure Sinewave Inverter with LCD screen, built in 20A MPPT Solar Charge Controller, 2 x 240V power outlets, 12V and USB sockets
• 660W Mono PERC PV Array
• 12V, AGM, Maintenance-Free Battery Bank with Anderson connection and battery leads
• 12V LED Light with inline switch
• 5A AC Battery Charger

The 5 kWh kit is our entry level AC Coupled Stand Alone Power System that offers 4 kWh’s of usable energy (i.e. Designed to provide a minimum of 2 kWh’s per day with 2 days autonomy). The Kit is designed as a permanent ‘Do It Yourself’ installation and is ideal for a small cabin or tiny home with LPG hot water and oven/cooktop and your basic electrical loads such as a small 240V fridge/freezer, LED lighting, small TV, stereo, water pump, etc. The switchboard is pre-wired and programmed in our facility on the Central Coast and comes complete with a protected double power point and conventional AC Distribution board. Towards Tomorrow Energy also provide complete technical phone support during installation.

This kit includes;

• 3 KW(Continuous Rating), 24VBattery Inverter/ Charger with remote monitoring capability
• 80A 3 stage MPPT Solar Charge Controller
• 3 KW Mono PERC Solar Array
• Flush or Tilt Frame solar racking Kit for tin roof
• Fully assembled and programmed switchboard with 3KW Inverter/Charger, Solar Charge Controller, 16A Generator Input, double power point and AC Distribution Board.
• 10m Solar Cables (4mm)
• User Manual and Installation Instructions
• Battery cables and links
• Maintenance free 24V Battery Storage System

This system is the smallest of our full-time residential systems and is typically best installed by our own Accredited OFF GRID Clean Energy Council (CEC) Installers as it is then eligible for the government rebate. The system has been designed to provide a minimum of 4 kWh’s of energy per day (8 kWh’s usable) and is ideal for a small efficient 2-person home with LPG hot water and oven/cooktop.  It will manage most standard household appliances such as a small energy efficient 240V fridge/freezer, LED lighting, LCD TV, computer, stereo, small toaster, washing machine, ceiling fans and an efficient water pump.

This kit includes;

• 4 KW High Efficiency Mono PERC Solar Array
• 3 KW Solar Inverter
• 3 KW (7.5 KW Surge) Battery Inverter/ Charger
• Maintenance free 24V Battery System (BS)
• 6 KVA fuel injected petrol generator
• Pre-wired Switchboard with conventional AC distribution board to connect power and lighting circuits.
• Remote monitoring and control package
• Flush or Tilt Frame solar racking system for tin roof

This system is best installed by our own Accredited OFFGRID Clean Energy Council (CEC) Installers as it is then eligible for the government rebate. The system has been designed to provide a minimum of 10 kWh’s of energy per day (20 kWh’s usable) and is ideal for a small efficient family home with LPG hot water and cooktop. It will manage the electrical load requirements of a large efficient 240V fridge/freezer, electric oven, LED lighting, LCD TV, computer, stereo, toaster, kettle, washing machine, dryer, coffee machine, ceiling fans and an efficient water pump.

This kit includes;

• 7 KW High Efficiency Mono PERC Solar Array
• 5 KW Solar Inverter
• 3.5 KW (8.4 KW Surge), Battery Inverter/ Charger
• Maintenance free 48V Battery System (BS)
• 7 KVA auto-controlled diesel generator
• Pre-wired Switchboard with conventional AC distribution board to connect power and lighting circuits.
• Remote monitoring and control package
• Flush, Tilt Frame or Ground Mounted solar racking system

This system requires a professional installation by our own Accredited OFFGRID Clean Energy Council (CEC) Installers as it is then eligible for the government rebate. This system has been designed to provide a minimum of 20 kWh’s of energy per day (40 kWh’s usable) and is ideal for a large efficient family home with LPG cooktop.  It will run most electrical load requirements of a modern home such a modern hot water heat pump, electric oven, large double door efficient 240V fridge/freezer, chest freezer, bar fridge, LED lighting, multiple LCD TVs, computers, stereos, washing machine, dryer, toaster, sandwich press, coffee machine, ceiling fans, power tools, welder, water pumps and an inverter type air conditioning system for summer cooling.

• 11 KW High Efficiency Mono PERC Solar Array
• 8.2 KW Solar Inverter
• 5 KW (12 KW Surge), Battery Inverter/ Charger
• Maintenance free 48V Battery System (BS)
• 9 KVA auto-controlled diesel generator
• Pre-wired Switchboard with conventional AC distribution board to connect power and lighting circuits.
• Remote monitoring and control package
• Flush, Tilt Frame or Ground Mounted solar racking system

This system requires a professional installation by our own Accredited OFFGRID Clean Energy Council (CEC) Installers as it is then eligible for the government rebate. This system has been designed to provide a minimum of 30 kWh’s of energy per day (60 kWh’s usable) and is ideal for a large family homestead.  It will run all the electrical load requirements of a modern home such as a modern hot water heat pump, electric oven,  induction cooktop, 2 fridge/freezers, bar fridge, chest freezer, LED lighting, multiple LCD TVs, computers, stereos, washing machine, dryer, toaster, sandwich press, coffee machine, ceiling fans, power tools, welder, workshop machinery, water pumps and an inverter type ducted air conditioning system for summer cooling.

• 18 KW High Efficiency Mono PERC Solar Array
• 2 x 6 KW Solar Inverters
• 7.5 KW (18 KW Surge), Battery Inverter/ Charger
• Maintenance free 48V Battery System (BS)
• 13 KVA auto-controlled diesel generator
• Pre-wired Switchboard with conventional AC distribution board to connect power and lighting circuits.
• Remote monitoring and control package
• Flush, Tilt Frame or Ground Mounted solar racking system

This system requires a professional installation by our own Accredited OFFGRID Clean Energy Council (CEC) Installers as it is then eligible for the government rebate. This system has been designed to provide a minimum of 40 kWh’s of energy per day (80 kWh’s usable) and is ideal for a large rural property with stables and machinery shed etc.  It will run all the electrical load requirements of a modern home such as a modern hot water heat pump, electric oven,  induction cooktop, 2 fridge/freezers, bar fridge, chest freezer, LED lighting, multiple LCD TVs, computers, stereos, washing machine, dryer, toaster, sandwich press, coffee machine, ceiling fans, power tools, welder, workshop machinery, pressure and transfer water pumps and an inverter type ducted air conditioning system for summer cooling.

• 24 KW High Efficiency Mono PERC Solar Array
• 2 x 8.2 KW Solar Inverters
• 15 KW (33 KW Surge), Battery Inverter/ Charger
• Maintenance free 48V Battery System (BS)
• 17 KVA auto-controlled diesel generator
• Pre-wired Switchboard with conventional AC distribution board to connect power and lighting circuits.
• Remote monitoring and control package
• Flush, Tilt Frame or Ground Mounted solar racking system

This system requires a professional installation by our own Accredited OFFGRID Clean Energy Council (CEC) Installers as it is then eligible for the government rebate. This system has been designed to provide a minimum of 40 kWh’s of energy per day (80 kWh’s usable) and is ideal for a large rural property with stables and machinery shed etc.  It will run all the electrical load requirements of a modern home such as a modern hot water heat pump, electric oven,  induction cooktop, 2 fridge/freezers, bar fridge, chest freezer, LED lighting, multiple LCD TVs, computers, stereos, washing machine, dryer, toaster, sandwich press, coffee machine, ceiling fans, power tools, welder, workshop machinery, pressure and transfer water pumps and an inverter type ducted air conditioning system for summer cooling.

• 29 KW High Efficiency Mono PERC Solar Array
• 3 x 8 KW Solar Inverter
• 20 KW (38 KW Surge), Battery Inverter/ Charger
• Maintenance free 120V Battery System (BS)
• 29 KVA auto-controlled diesel generator
• Pre-wired Switchboard with conventional AC distribution board to connect power and lighting circuits.
• Remote monitoring and control package
• Flush, Tilt Frame or Ground Mounted solar racking system