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Off-Grid Solar Solutions
Reliable Solar Power Where the Grid Can't
Generate, store and use your own solar electricity with a standalone off-grid solar system designed for homes and properties where grid power is unavailable or unreliable.
Standalone Power
Designed without relying on the grid
Battery Backup
Store solar energy for night and low-solar periods
Energy Independence
Build a system around your own electricity needs
Off-Grid Solar System
Off-Grid Solar System with Battery Backup
An off-grid solar system, also called a standalone solar system, is designed for locations where electricity from the public grid is unavailable or extremely unreliable.
Because an off-grid system has no utility grid to fall back on, it must be designed for autonomy. Autonomy describes how long the property can continue operating on stored battery energy when solar generation is low.
On cloudy or rainy days, solar generation can fall significantly. A correctly designed system therefore produces and stores additional energy during stronger sunlight so the property can continue operating when solar output drops.
- Suitable for remote and rural locations
- Designed around battery-backed energy storage
- Useful where power cuts are frequent or severe
- Can provide power without a utility-grid connection
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Designed for Autonomy
Power Through the Night and Low-Solar Days
The defining feature of an off-grid solar system is autonomy. Since there is no grid connection, the battery bank becomes the energy reserve that keeps the property running after sunlight disappears.
A one-day autonomy system is designed to run the property for one full low-solar day from stored energy. Two days of autonomy means the stored energy is intended to cover two consecutive cloudy days.
- Solar energy powers the load during sunlight hours
- Excess daytime generation charges the battery
- Stored energy powers loads when solar is unavailable
- Battery capacity is selected around the required autonomy
System Components
What Are the Components of an Off-Grid Solar System?
An off-grid installation combines solar generation, battery storage, power conversion, charging control, mounting and electrical protection into one coordinated system.
Off-Grid / Hybrid Inverter
The inverter converts DC energy into AC electricity and coordinates energy flow between solar, battery and loads.
Battery Bank
Batteries store surplus solar energy during the day so stored electricity can be used later.
Charge Controller
The charge controller regulates charging and helps manage the energy sent from the solar array to the battery.
Mounting Structures
Proper mounting positions the panels at a suitable tilt while providing mechanical support.
Solar Accessories
Electrical accessories help connect and protect the complete system.
- DC and AC cables
- Combiner boxes
- MC4 connectors
- Earthing and lightning protection
Where It Makes Sense
When Should You Use an Off-Grid Solar System?
Off-grid solar is most useful when a property cannot depend on reliable utility electricity and needs stored energy to maintain power availability.
Remote & Rural Properties
Homes and properties in locations without access to a dependable utility grid can use solar and batteries as their primary electricity source.
Areas With Severe Power Cuts
Where grid supply exists but is extremely unreliable, battery-backed solar can provide a more independent energy solution.
Independent Homes
Properties that want to operate independently from the utility grid can be designed around solar generation, batteries and controlled loads.
Remote Commercial Sites
Certain commercial or industrial locations can benefit from standalone solar where extending or relying on grid infrastructure is impractical.
If your area has a reliable grid connection, an on-grid system is generally the more economical option. The right choice depends on your power reliability, consumption, roof/site conditions and backup requirements.
Battery Sizing
How to Size a Battery for Off-Grid Solar?
Battery sizing is one of the most important parts of an off-grid design because there is no utility grid to fall back on when solar generation is insufficient.
The supplied reference identifies four major design inputs: autonomy, depth of discharge, round-trip efficiency and the split between daytime and night-time energy consumption.
Solar CalculatorKey Sizing Inputs
- 1 full day of autonomy: The battery is sized to cover a full 24-hour load cycle, including the next morning's usage before solar returns.
- 90% Depth of Discharge: The reference uses 90% usable battery capacity, retaining the remaining capacity as a protection buffer.
- 85% Round-Trip Efficiency: Battery sizing accounts for energy losses during charging and discharging.
- Day-Night Load Split: The reference assumes around 70% daytime and 30% night-time consumption for its sizing explanation.
Cost Guide
Off-Grid Solar System Price in India in 2026
Off-grid systems generally cost more than standard on-grid systems because they require battery storage and additional equipment to provide energy independence.
| System Size | Battery | Indicative Price With GST* |
|---|---|---|
| 3 kW | 5.12 kWh lithium battery | ~₹4.12 lakh |
| 5 kW | 5.12 kWh lithium battery | ~₹5.50 lakh |
| 6 kW | 5.12 kWh lithium battery | ~₹7.34 lakh |
| 6 kW | 10.24 kWh lithium battery | ~₹8.30 lakh |
| 8 kW | 10.24 kWh lithium battery | ~₹9.65 lakh |
| 10 kW | 10.24 kWh lithium battery | ~₹11.15 lakh |
*Indicative figures based on the supplied reference material and specifically described there for lithium-ion/LFP batteries. Final prices vary according to battery type, panels, brand, inverter and installation requirements.
Government Subsidy
Is There an Off-Grid Solar Subsidy in India?
Important: Off-Grid Systems Are Not Covered by the PM Surya Ghar Subsidy
According to the supplied reference, the Indian government's PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana central subsidy applies to eligible grid-connected rooftop solar systems, not standalone off-grid systems.
Therefore, if a homeowner's primary objective is to qualify for the central rooftop solar subsidy, a qualifying grid-connected system should be considered instead.
Advantages
Advantages of Installing Off-Grid Solar
Off-grid solar is especially valuable when electricity availability is the main challenge and a property needs its own independent source of power.
01
Power Where You Need It
Provides a standalone electricity source for properties where utility-grid access is unavailable.
02
Energy Independence
Solar generation and battery storage reduce dependence on an unreliable or unavailable grid connection.
03
Clean Energy
Solar generation produces electricity without direct combustion-related emissions during operation.
04
Battery-Backed Power
Stored energy can keep selected loads operating after sunlight disappears.
Things to Consider
Off-Grid Solar Limitations
Off-grid solar is not automatically the best solution for every property. Battery storage and system autonomy make the design more complex and generally more expensive than grid-connected solar.
Higher Initial Cost
Battery storage is a major part of the system cost, making an off-grid installation more expensive than a typical on-grid system of similar solar capacity.
Battery Replacement
Batteries have a finite service life and eventually require replacement, which should be considered in the long-term ownership cost.
No Central Subsidy
The supplied reference states that off-grid systems are not eligible for the PM Surya Ghar central rooftop subsidy.
Compare Solar Systems
On-Grid vs Off-Grid vs Hybrid Solar
The main difference between the three systems is how they interact with the utility grid and whether they use battery storage.
| Feature | On-Grid | Off-Grid | Hybrid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connected to utility grid? | Yes | No | Yes |
| Battery storage? | Normally no | Yes | Yes |
| Backup during grid outage? | Normally no | Yes | Yes, for configured loads |
| Can export surplus? | Yes, subject to local rules | No utility-grid export | Where permitted by DISCOM/metering rules |
| Best suited for | Properties with reliable grid power that primarily want to reduce electricity bills. | Locations where grid power is unavailable or highly unreliable. | Properties that want solar savings plus battery backup while retaining grid connectivity. |
| Upfront cost | Lowest of the three in typical installations | Higher because of battery storage | Higher because of battery + hybrid hardware |
Off-Grid Solar Insights
Latest Solar Guides & Insights
Practical guides covering off-grid solar systems, batteries, energy independence, system sizing and smarter solar decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Off-Grid Solar FAQs
How much does an off-grid solar system cost?
The supplied reference gives indicative 2026 prices ranging from approximately ₹4.12 lakh for a 3 kW system with a 5.12 kWh lithium battery to approximately ₹11.15 lakh for a 10 kW system with a 10.24 kWh lithium battery, including GST. Actual prices vary by system configuration.
Is there a subsidy for off-grid solar systems?
According to the supplied reference, the PM Surya Ghar central subsidy is for eligible grid-connected rooftop solar systems and does not apply to standalone off-grid systems.
How many batteries are required for an off-grid system?
Battery quantity and capacity depend on the property's energy consumption, required autonomy, depth of discharge, battery chemistry, system voltage and round-trip efficiency. Battery sizing should be based on the actual load profile rather than a fixed number of batteries.
Can I run an AC on an off-grid solar system?
It can be possible when the solar array, inverter, battery bank and electrical protection are sized for the AC's starting and running load. A site-specific load assessment should be completed before confirming the configuration.
Which is better, off-grid or on-grid solar?
If the grid is reliable, on-grid solar is generally the more economical option. Off-grid solar is more suitable where grid power is unavailable or unreliable and battery-backed independence is required.
How long can an off-grid system run without sunlight?
This depends on the designed autonomy and actual electricity consumption. A system designed for one day of autonomy is intended to cover a full day of low solar generation from stored battery energy.
Why are batteries so important in off-grid solar?
Unlike a standard grid-connected system, an off-grid system cannot rely on the utility network when the sun is unavailable. Batteries therefore store surplus solar energy for night-time and low-solar periods.
Can an off-grid system be connected to the grid later?
Future grid connection depends on the inverter, electrical design, local requirements and equipment compatibility. If future flexibility is important, it should be discussed during the original system design.
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