What exactly is living off the grid on Maui?
When you decide to go solar on Maui, you’ll have to choose one out of two popular methods of generating power. The first is on grid, which means you’re connected to the utility grid on the island such as HELCO or MECO. The other is living off the grid on Maui which means your solar system is generating power independently without being connected to the grid.
What does living off the grid on Maui involve?
As mentioned earlier, when you’re living off the grid on Maui, your solar system is solely responsible for generating the power you need. The system will have a back-up battery for storing the excess energy generated by the system. With that, your solar system is 100% self-sustaining while you’re living off the grid.
One of the key things to consider for off grid living is the type of solar panels you need. Monocrystalline solar panels are the most efficient. They are also more durable and the most expensive. More so, you only need to install very few monocrystalline solar panels to generate the same amount of energy compared to other panels.
Polycrystalline solar panels are next to monocrystalline. They are also durable, efficient, and less expensive to monocrystalline. You’ll need more polycrystalline solar panels to be able to generate equal power like a few monocrystalline solar panels. Thin film solar panels are the least efficient and durable. They are also the cheapest of all three. You’ll need more thin film solar panels to be able to generate equal amount of energy like polycrystalline and monocrystalline solar panels.
Other solar system components for living off the grid on Maui include solar inverters, an optional backup generator, solar batteries, and solar controllers. If you’re wondering if living off the grid on Maui is right for you or not, read this.
Benefits of living off the grid on Maui
- Living off the grid on Maui means avoiding general power outages
- Reducing your electricity bills substantially
- Preserving the entire island by reducing carbon footprints
- Off-the-grid solar power systems are easier to install
- You’ll enjoy significant monthly savings
Here are other relevant resources to help you learn more about off grid living:
- Can You Really Live Off Grid with Solar on Maui?
- Off Grid Solar Packages in Maui: What Does a Solar Kit Contain?
- Off Grid Solar System in Maui – 4 Interesting Facts You Should Know
Why are people living off the grid?
Many people are living off the grid on Maui for several different reasons. The cost of bringing grid power to a home isn’t cheap. You’ll have to pay MECO or HELCO a significant amount of money to get your solar system connected to the utility grid. Sometimes, you may have to pay about $30,000 or above.
More so, all the efforts and costs of bringing grid power to your home has no financial or tax benefits. However, if you decide to go off grid, you wouldn’t have to bother about paying such an expensive amount to HELOC or MECO after paying to have a solar system installed. Also, once you’re off the grid, you wouldn’t have to bother about paying electricity bills. Rather, you’ll focus on saving on your electricity bills while getting a good ROI.