Solar power plants not connected to the public power grid are said to be off-grid. They are installed in places where connection to the power grid is unadvised or impossible for economic or technical reasons, such as mountain cottages, vacation homes, emergency telephone pillars or parking lot metres, among other places. They typically require a battery to ensure power supply in the event of inclement weather or during the night. Such batteries are charged with solar energy during the day. Off-grid facilities may be used to power appliances requiring direct current, such as radios, televisions and lighting, or, by way of an inverter, to supply power to devices with typical grid voltage of 230 V.

See also Inverters >>