Off-Grid Solar Systems

Last updated: January 28, 2026

Complete energy independence from Eskom. Off-grid solar systems power your entire home without any grid connection.

Quick answer: off‑grid means larger batteries and careful sizing for cloudy days. Off-grid solar systems provide complete energy independence - no Eskom connection, no monthly electricity bills, and no load shedding. While requiring larger investment upfront, they offer freedom from rising electricity costs and unreliable grid supply.

What is Off-Grid Solar?

An off-grid solar system operates independently from the municipal electricity grid. All your power comes from solar panels and is stored in batteries for use 24/7. Unlike hybrid systems that use the grid as backup, off-grid systems must generate and store 100% of your energy needs. This requires careful sizing to handle cloudy days and high-demand periods.

Off-Grid System Components

component	requirement	reason
Solar Panels	30-50% more than grid-tied	Must generate all power, including cloudy day buffer
Battery Bank	2-3 days autonomy	Store power for nights and overcast weather
Off-Grid Inverter	Pure sine wave, sized for peak loads	No grid to fall back on
Charge Controller	MPPT, properly sized	Maximize solar harvest
Backup Generator	Recommended for emergencies	Extended cloudy periods, equipment failure

componentSolar Panels

requirement30-50% more than grid-tied

reasonMust generate all power, including cloudy day buffer

componentBattery Bank

requirement2-3 days autonomy

reasonStore power for nights and overcast weather

componentOff-Grid Inverter

requirementPure sine wave, sized for peak loads

reasonNo grid to fall back on

componentCharge Controller

requirementMPPT, properly sized

reasonMaximize solar harvest

componentBackup Generator

requirementRecommended for emergencies

reasonExtended cloudy periods, equipment failure

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Off-Grid System Pricing

system	panels	battery	price
Small Off-Grid (Cottage)	8-10kW	20-30kWh	R150,000 - R200,000
Medium Off-Grid (Family Home)	12-15kW	30-50kWh	R250,000 - R400,000
Large Off-Grid (Luxury/Farm)	20kW+	50-100kWh	R400,000 - R800,000+

systemSmall Off-Grid (Cottage)

panels8-10kW

battery20-30kWh

priceR150,000 - R200,000

systemMedium Off-Grid (Family Home)

panels12-15kW

battery30-50kWh

priceR250,000 - R400,000

systemLarge Off-Grid (Luxury/Farm)

panels20kW+

battery50-100kWh

priceR400,000 - R800,000+

Who Should Go Off-Grid?

Off-grid is ideal for:

Remote properties without Eskom connection
Farms and smallholdings far from grid
Those seeking complete energy independence
Preppers and self-sufficiency enthusiasts
Eco-lodges and game farms
Properties where Eskom connection costs exceed R100,000+
Households fed up with unreliable grid and rising costs

Off-Grid Challenges to Consider

Important considerations:

Higher upfront cost (50-100% more than grid-tied)
Must size for worst-case scenarios (winter, cloudy weeks)
Lifestyle adjustments may be needed (energy awareness)
Backup generator recommended for emergencies
Battery replacement every 10-15 years adds cost
No selling excess power back to grid
Requires more monitoring and management

Off-Grid vs Hybrid Systems

aspect	off Grid	hybrid
Grid Connection	None	Connected as backup
Load Shedding Impact	Zero - never affected	Minimal - battery backup
Upfront Cost	Higher (50-100% more)	Lower
Monthly Bills	Zero electricity	Reduced but not zero
System Complexity	More complex	Simpler
Energy Awareness	Required	Optional

aspectGrid Connection

off GridNone

hybridConnected as backup

aspectLoad Shedding Impact

off GridZero - never affected

hybridMinimal - battery backup

aspectUpfront Cost

off GridHigher (50-100% more)

hybridLower

aspectMonthly Bills

off GridZero electricity

hybridReduced but not zero

aspectSystem Complexity

off GridMore complex

hybridSimpler

aspectEnergy Awareness

off GridRequired

hybridOptional

Price Disclaimer: Prices shown were verified on 29 January 2026. Prices may change without notice. We earn affiliate commissions on qualifying purchases.

All prices are in South African Rand (ZAR) unless otherwise stated. Shipping costs may apply depending on your location.

10kW Systems System Prices Battery Sizing Guide

Off-Grid Solar Systems FAQs

A complete off-grid solar system in South Africa ranges from R150,000 for a small cottage setup to R400,000+ for a family home. Key cost factors: battery bank size (largest expense), number of panels, and generator backup. For a 3-bedroom home, budget R250,000-R350,000 for comfortable off-grid living.

Yes, thousands of South Africans live fully off-grid successfully. Key requirements: sufficient solar panels (often 10-20kW), large battery bank (30-50kWh+), backup generator for emergencies, and lifestyle awareness about energy use. Winter months require the most planning due to shorter days.

For off-grid living, plan for 2-3 days of autonomy (power without sun). Calculate your daily usage (typically 15-30kWh for a home), multiply by 2-3 days, add 20% buffer. Example: 20kWh/day × 3 days × 1.2 = 72kWh battery bank. Most off-grid homes need 30-60kWh minimum.

For essentials (lights, TV, WiFi, fridge): 3-5kW. For average home with some backup: 5-8kW. For full home including high-demand appliances: 8-10kW+. Calculate based on your monthly kWh usage from your Eskom bill.

3kW system: R45,000-R70,000. 5kW system: R80,000-R120,000. 8kW system: R120,000-R180,000. 10kW system: R150,000-R250,000. Prices include panels, inverter, battery, and installation. Quality and battery size affect final cost.

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