Some sites cannot get a grid connection to supply electricity, or at least cannot get such a supply for a reasonable cost. In this case, the only other option is to generate and store the electricity on-site in a so-called ‘off-grid electricity’ or ‘standalone’ electricity system. The equipment to facilitate this has got a lot better and cheaper over the last few years so this is becoming an increasingly attractive option. Single or three-phase systems are possible – with the latter normally used only at larger or industrial sites.

The key things to consider when thinking about an off-grid electrical system are:

• Firstly, minimise all loads and design everything to be as energy efficient as possible.
• Analyse the expected loads, their time during the day, duration and monthly energy use.
• Define how the electricity can be generated on-site (often solar PV, but also small wind and hydropower could be options).
• Decide if a back-up generator is desired / required.

Using the above information, it would be possible to design a reliable off-grid electricity system. The same process applies whether it is a system for an off-grid house, a light industrial site or a smaller power supply for a piece of technical equipment.

On the selection of equipment, Renewables First works to some key principles. The first is that we don’t want to be and are not the cheapest supplier because our clients are not driven by minimum cost. Our clients are paying us to specify the most efficient and best-performing equipment from manufacturers with a reputation for quality, long-term reliability and long-term product support. This inevitably means that we specify more expensive equipment, but it will be better performing and more reliable. An example would be for the inverter / charger and associated control equipment; we only specify Victron Energy equipment because it is the recognised leader in off-grid capable equipment, and they have a track record extending back decades, originally starting out by selling off-grid electrical systems to expensive yachts. On solar PV panels we only specify manufacturers with ‘Silicon Module Super League (SMSL)’ status, and will also only specify panels with a minimum efficiency of 21 %, and will raise this bar higher as more efficient solar PV panels become available. We only specify and supply premium equipment.

So, why should you trust Renewables First to design and build your standalone power system? We are an engineering-based business with an in-house team of experienced engineers that actually build stuff. We take projects from initial feasibility, through the consenting and design stages, then build and commission them, then help the owners operate and maintain them. We’ve been doing this since 2009 and have a long list of successful projects and happy clients. Our key differentiator is that we build systems, and only by building systems and sorting out all the teething issues can you truly develop the deep understanding needed to deliver reliable energy generation systems.

I’m interested – what is the next step?

We provide a structured set of paid-for services to deliver your off-grid electricity system:

• It starts with and ‘Off-grid / standalone / remote power systems Feasibility Study’ which includes:
  1. Site electrical loads and energy use analysis to understand your needs.
  2. An Electrical energy generation review (often solar PV and back-up generator, but will consider wind and hydro if the potential exists).
  3. Outline system specification and performance modelling to present the proposed system.
  4. Estimate of system costs.
  5. Conclusions and next steps.
• Design and specification. This stage develops the chosen system into a detailed design ready for implementation and a detailed specification of all parts including wiring schematics.
• Installation and commissioning. This is the actual practical work to construct the system and get it operating.
• Ongoing Operation and Maintenance (O&M) support. We can provide routine and non-routine servicing and support services, including off-site support which is particularly useful for remotely adjusting the operational parameters of your system.

If you would like to proceed, please submit an enquiry using our online Enquiry Form. Try to answer as many of the questions as possible, as this enables us to provide a more accurate response. Once we have had a look at the information you have provided, we will get in touch to discuss your enquiry in more detail, normally within a few days of receiving it.