Our name - Off-Grid Power Systems - implies that we don't design and install systems for clients who maintain a connection to the grid. That couldn't be further from the truth. While we do focus on off-grid projects because we like the challenge, we also do power systems engineering for clients that want to maintain a utility connection for backup purposes or who want full grid interactivity for residential or commercial net metering solar projects. Clients who approach us for such projects often do so because they aren't satisfied with the approach that traditional solar installation companies provide.
We lead with Victron Energy for off-grid projects because Victron is the global leader in off-grid power electronics and software. In fact, it's the software that really sets Victron apart from other manufacturers. However, we also lead with Victron products for clients who want to remain connected to the grid for backup purposes. We have other products for customers who want to enter into a net-metering contract with their local utility.
In 2024 we completed a project for a commercial business who wanted to produce as much of their own electricity as possible, but maintain a utility connection for backup purposes when solar collection wasn't sufficient. This client fully powers their business from solar nine months of the year, and most of their power the other three months of the year. They do not sell back excess energy to the grid. Rather, they choose to store any excess energy in lithium batteries to continue powering the business after the sun goes down and for cloudy days. When the batteries are full, excess energy is used to charge the owner's EV.
This client was us! Yes, we walk the walk, eat our own dog food, put our money where our mouth is; pick your favorite analogy.
As a commercial business in the State of Ohio we were required to submit plans to our local AHJ to receive a permit to proceed with the project. We hired a structural engineer to analyze the roof load of the proposed ballasted PV installation and stamp the drawings showing the plan was safe. We didn't start construction for several months until we worked through our backlog of client projects, but once we did we completed the project in just a few days. We received a clean inspection and were producing power in no time.
How were we able to do everything ourselves? Well, in addition to having electrical and mechanical engineers on staff, we are also a licensed electrical contractor in the State of Ohio (License: 19098). This enables us to seek permits and perform installations for residential, commercial, and industrial projects. We don't have PE's on staff, but we do work with an engineering firm who provides structural and electrical engineering analyses when required by the local jurisdiction.
The system includes:
- 42x 420W solar panels for a nominal DC capacity of 17.6kW. These are wired in seven strings of six panels each.
- Unirac RM10-Evo 10° tilt ballasted PV racking
- APSmart rapid shutdown modules with an emergency stop (E-stop) switch located on the front of the business and appropriately labeled as such to protect our local firefighters
- Two Victron Energy MPPT RS 450/200 solar charge controllers. Each controller has four independent MPPT trackers.
- Three Victron Energy MultiPlus-II 48/5000/70 inverter/chargers for three phase 208/120V power
- Victron Lynx distribution system for DC power
- Victron VM-3P75CT Energy Meter to measure the output of any string or micro inverters we want to test or connect to the system
- 8x Pytes lithium batteries for a total of 40kWh of energy storage - more than enough to run the shop for several days without sun and often enough to top up the owner's EV
- Cerbo GX MK2 + GX Touch 70 communication center device and touch-screen user interface
The system serves two purposes. First, it fully powers the shop most of the year. Second, it provides a live demonstration of what is possible for commercial and residential clients alike. Third, it gives us a working test bed to test grid-tie and off-grid components using the Victron system as "the grid" for testing other devices.
If you simply need to power a single security camera at a job site or power the entire job site, Off-Grid Power Systems has the experience and expertise - in house, not contracted out - to design, engineer, construct, and install solar and non-solar power systems, off-grid or grid-tied.