Off-grid
Solar Energy for Vineyard Houses, Country Homes and Allotments
Where there is no grid line, or where a supply contract cannot be obtained, an off-grid system is not an alternative — it is the only solution. Independent, silent power without a generator.
- No supply contract and no grid operator application required
- Charging architecture suited to heavy weekend use
- Optional removable setup that can be taken in at the end of the season
- System type
- Off-grid (independent of the network)
- Typical size
- 1 – 5 kWp
- Battery
- LiFePO4 or deep-cycle gel
- Grid operator approval
- Not required
When there is no grid, or no supply contract
Moving away from the city usually brings one of two obstacles. The first is distance: having poles erected to a hillside or garden kilometres from the network, plus transformer costs and paperwork, often costs more than the project itself.
The second is regulation. On allotments in particular we frequently see that the building registration or zoning status does not permit an electricity supply contract. In that case a grid-connected system cannot be built at all, because there is no contract to connect to.
An off-grid solution clears both obstacles. Your panels generate during the day and store the surplus in batteries; at night that stored energy runs your appliances at 230 V. Because nothing connects to the network, no grid operator application is needed — installation is usually complete within a week or two of the survey.
What a “weekend” pattern actually runs
Most people ask “how many panels do I need?”, but the real engineering starts with understanding consumption habits. Vineyard houses and allotments are typically empty during the week and busy at weekends — which means the battery charges through the week and discharges at the weekend, and that makes the system economical.
On allotments the pattern differs slightly: nobody lives there permanently, but irrigation is regular and some loads such as security cameras run continuously. A typical 2–3 kW package comfortably handles all of the following at once:
- Refrigerator (A++ frost-free): continuous cooling, 24 hours
- Irrigation pump or booster pump: the largest load; starting current is allowed for
- Television, satellite receiver and all indoor/outdoor LED lighting
- Security camera and internet router: low draw but constant
- Unlimited phone, tablet and laptop charging
The battery is the heart of the investment
The biggest mistake made in solar systems is using cheap “marine” or “tractor” batteries. Their cycle life is short and they typically lose capacity within 18 months to two years. The system is built cheaply and then becomes expensive through a battery replacement every couple of years.
Depending on budget we use deep-cycle gel battery banks or lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries. LiFePO4 is lighter, longer-lived and more efficient; the initial outlay is higher but the total cost of ownership is lower.
A removable setup against theft
Vineyard houses and allotments are often left empty, and panel theft is a real risk. We therefore offer two options: fixed systems with security fasteners and an optional alarm, or a removable setup that can be taken down at the end of the season.
In the removable version the panels and battery box can be detached quickly and taken home. For gardens unused over winter this is the right choice for both security and battery life.
Frequently asked questions
Can solar be installed on an allotment without an electricity supply contract?
Yes. An off-grid system never connects to the network, so no supply contract is needed. An independent system of panels, battery and inverter is installed, and no application is made to the grid operator.
Off-grid or hybrid for a vineyard house?
If there is no grid at all, off-grid is the only option. If there is a supply but frequent outages, or you want to be free of the bill, a hybrid system is recommended. The most economical battery capacity is determined by how often you use the property.
Does an off-grid system need approval from the grid operator?
No. Systems that never connect to the network require no application. That shortens the process considerably — installation can proceed without waiting for project approval.
Will it run my irrigation pump?
Yes, though the pump’s power and starting current determine the size of the system. For submersible pumps we use a drive that provides a soft start; this protects the pump and lets it run from a smaller system. For high-power agricultural pumps we have a separate solution.
Is there enough power in winter, and can the system be damaged?
Days are shorter and the sun lower in winter, so output falls compared with summer; a system sized for weekend use remains sufficient. The panels themselves withstand winter well. The battery needs the attention: if the property will be unused for a long period, it should be left at an appropriate state of charge or removed and stored somewhere warm.
What do you do about panel theft?
On fixed installations we use security fasteners and an optional alarm system. If the land stands empty for long periods, we recommend the removable setup that can be taken down at the end of the season.
How long does installation take?
Because off-grid systems do not wait for grid operator approval, the process is short: after the survey, procurement and installation are typically complete within one to two weeks. The installation itself usually takes one or two days.
Our other solutions
Write to us
Tell us about your project — send your roof plan or last electricity bill and we will come back in writing with a suitable system size and an indicative price.