Being off-grid is not the best solution. Batteries are not that efficient for storage and what if you produce excess power? I guess you have to consume excess as well.

If you're on the grid, load shifting can be used to reduce the overall system capacity. And there aren't batteries to eat up power.

I admit, some people don't have easy access to the grid, but if they do, it's a better solution.

Note that many "off grid" communities are forced to use polluting diesel generators for backup or for energy-consuming items such as power tools.

Not to reduce the kudos that should go to people living off the grid. . . but we should not evangelize one solution. We have an infrastructure and should learn to use that infrastructure in a wise way - not abandon it altogether.

Note that many "off grid" communities are forced to use polluting diesel generators for backup or for energy-consuming items such as power tools.

Not to reduce the kudos that should go to people living off the grid. . . but we should not evangelize one solution. We have an infrastructure and should learn to use that infrastructure in a wise way - not abandon it altogether.

Note that many "off grid" communities are forced to use polluting diesel generators for backup or for energy-consuming items such as power tools.

Not to reduce the kudos that should go to people living off the grid. . . but we should not evangelize one solution. We have an infrastructure and should learn to use that infrastructure in a wise way - not abandon it altogether.

i think living off the grid should be qualified a little bit, people always assume it means using on site PV or wind but if you live in an RV, technically you're off the grid so it can be better or worse for the environment depending on a lot of factors. smaller local grids, ideally with a focus on renewables, would offer a nice hybrid system and would cut down on a lot of the losses associated with moving power around

"Note that many "off grid" communities are forced to use polluting diesel generators for backup or for energy-consuming items such as power tools."

I'm off the grid. It would cost too much to bring the grid to where I live.

If the grid is closer than 0.25 miles from your house I'd advise hooking up. That eliminates batteries and honkin' big inverters.

As the price of solar (and I suspect small scale wind) prices drop then producing some of your power and selling the surplus back to the grid makes sense.

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From roughly April to December I don't kick on my generator. And I run some big power tools. I just don't try to run more than one of the power hungry devices (table saw, planer, washing machine) at a time.

And there are some sweet, quite gas generators on the market.

Being off the grid is my preference. I doubt it is a solution for many, though. It's a lifestyle you need to want - in order to enjoy. In other words, if you live excessively, you are not ready for off-grid living. Which BTW doesn't require batteries and generators unless, again, your lifestyle requires it - which would be a good indication you should stay tied to the grid.

Sure, I want to, but is it going to happen?

We'd love to go off the grid but the price (starting at $30,000 (in New Zealand) for solar only) is far above what we can afford and since there are only two of us and we are low energy users it would take years before we even started to break even. It's really depressing how expensive it is.

Many parts of the country are not on net metering and so have to use expensive bateries.In fact this is why many states are not advancing to become more green . after all the pitfalls that state and electric companies put in front of small electric producers it makes it to expensive and to much hasle .to be green.
This nation need to have 1 standard for hookup of small electrical production all over the nation that will encourage people to be green.
We need to see what programs work world wide and copy them.
good example austin tx
bad example dallas tx

Living off the grid poses several problems to most:
First, you have to have money to buy land. Second, you have to have money to build or modify a structure to live in. Third, you have to have money to invest in 'additional' new technologies. Fourth, many local codes and ordinances may hender your goals. Fifth, you have to have money to be financially stable if you are going to build an off grid home in an on grid neighborhood. For most people, an off grid home is not something they would ever purchase, so you may never be able to sell. Also, if you are going to be off grid out in the middle of nowhere, then where are you going to work?

My decision was primarily economic: $23K for installation of utility lines or $11K for DIY solar system. Operating costs are about $310/yr.
All things are interconnected and off-grid does not mean non polluting. Averages out, each year I consume 4 lead acid batteries and 20 gallons of gasoline for the solar system. Then there is the 600 gallons of propane for heating and the 270 gallons of diesel for commuting to the city.
To me, it's all about reducing the size of your environmental foot print. Shared community resources can be more efficient than an independent approach. Connecting to the grid, with net metering, would eliminate the battery and gasoline consumption. This would reduce my footprint and expenditures.
In todays high energy consumption environment, being ecologically minded can also be economically sensible!