Manage energy day to day
Living off-grid means matching use to supply: run big loads when the sun shines and protect critical loads when the battery is low.
How
- Run opportunity loads (washing, water pumping to a tank, tool charging, water heating diversion) in the middle of sunny days.
- Use a charge controller or inverter relay to send surplus power to a dump load such as a water heater element when batteries are full.
- Set priorities: critical loads always on, comfort loads only above a set state of charge, opportunity loads only on surplus.
- In low sun periods, cut non critical loads early instead of draining the battery.
- Share the energy budget with the household (see the living module).
Sources
- Planning a Home Renewable Energy System. US Department of Energy, Energy Saver, accessed 2026-11
- Balance-of-System Equipment Required for Renewable Energy Systems. US Department of Energy, Energy Saver, accessed 2026-11