Why is “Free Energy” So Damn Expensive?
The idea of using solar power to provide "free energy" sounds great, right? With more people embracing off-grid living or seeking energy independence, off-grid solar systems are becoming very popular. But there's a catch—off-grid solar can be surprisingly expensive. Let’s dig into why “free energy” can cost the earth, and how we can make it more affordable and accessible.
The Problem with Traditional Off-Grid Solar Kits
Traditional off-grid solar kits are marketed as the perfect solution to get you up and running quickly, but they’re often pre-packaged with components that you don’t need. Many pre-configured kits are designed for random kit sizes, with random panel sizes and cable lengths, meaning you’re stuck with equipment that’s overkill for your situation. This results in waste—both in terms of time, cost, resources, and the environment.
If you overestimate your needs and purchase a larger system than necessary, you may end up paying for equipment you’ll never use. On the flip side, if you underestimate your needs, you might find yourself constantly upgrading your system just to keep things running smoothly.
The Problem with DIY’ing It
While some people may turn to a do-it-yourself (DIY) approach in an effort to save money—and because it can be fun!—off-grid solar design involves a lot of technical knowledge. Everything from determining the right panel sizes to configuring your battery bank, wire thickness, circuit breakers, inverter, and wiring properly. Even a small mistake can lead to inefficient energy production, costly repairs, or, worse, safety hazards.
It's easy to buy incorrect or unnecessary components or end up with a setup that’s inefficient, underpowered for your use case, or simply doesn’t work.
The Problem with Hiring a Knowledgeable Solar Engineer
Engineers and solar installation companies charge premium rates for their time, expertise, and the custom solutions they provide. You’re also paying for the luxury of their time, knowledge, and experience. A lot of it involves reading component manuals and doing solar calculations, estimating voltage drops, measuring what size panels would fit on your space, and thinking about a variety of other factors—that aren’t rocket science—but take time and knowledge.
At LUX Solar, we believe that solar design can, and should, be automated!
LUX Anykit allows you to take control of your solar system with automated, customizable off-grid electrical design tools that let you create a system that fits your exact needs. It calculates all the components you need—and optionally, our friendly LUX Solar team can pre-wire it for you so it’s ready to “Plug & Play.”
Instead, you’re selecting the right components, customizing your system, and doing it all with ease—without sacrificing quality. The system automatically optimizes the electrical efficiency of your setup to give you the maximum energy output for the lowest cost.
Because “Free Energy” Doesn’t Have to Be Expensive
We are launching version 1.0 of our LUX Anykit builder on 31 January 2025. Before our launch, we are keen for testing and feedback—you will also get free custom advice and input.
Get early access to LUX Solar AnyKit by signing up as a Beta Tester today!