In the past few years, there has been a growing interest and increasing sales of whole home solar systems, as well as supplementary systems of all types for wells, barns, outbuildings, cabins and personal use.
We attribute some of the growth to an influx of property owners from southern states where solar is in greater use. But here's a little secret - folks in our neck of the woods have known for years that solar is a great alternative in the Inland Pacific Northwest, which is comprised of North Idaho, Eastern Washington, Northwestern Montana and Northeastern Oregon. Even if cost prohibitive, that hasn't stopped many of us from finding less expensive options or assembling do-it-yourself systems.
At Beyond the Grid Outfitters, our goal is to help customers understand solar better and assist them with assembling a safe, reliable system for the best cost possible.
Less dependence or outright independence from the grid are two of the top reasons our customers install solar systems. Having the peace of mind that their power source is under their immediate control is a real upside for most customers.
For some customers, it simply comes down to cost. Many properties are far enough from an existing prime utility pole, the cost of installing utility power can equal or exceed the cost of a solar system. In these cases, the upside is getting power sooner and potentially at a lower cost.
For other folks, clean energy is the primary upside. It's better for the environment. While there is still some pollution associated with solar systems, it is far less than the pollution generated by other energy sources. In the Inland Pacific Northwest, where generators are used frequently, adding even a small solar system to power basic needs can cut down on the pollution generated - with a 100% decrease in noise pollution whenever the generator is off.
It's no secret - solar isn't cheap. A whole home solar system can cost tens of thousands of dollars, especially if we try to keep the lifestyle we've grown accustomed to with utility power.
Another downside is weather. Year round, cloudy, rainy or snowy days further reduce the amount of power that can be captured and stored. And regardless of where you live, solar arrays cannot capture power at night.
An additional downside in the Inland Pacific Northwest is our latitude. We have less daylight hours to harness the power of the sun, which becomes an even greater problem in the shorter days and snow-filled skies of the winter months.
Through our own personal experiences, we've learned there are many things we can do to improve the viability and success of owning a whole home solar system, regardless of where you live. Click links below to open the relevant page on this website.
Your home wasn't built in a day and neither is a solar system.
Beyond the Grid Outfitters was established, in part, due to our own adjustment in how we think about energy needs. As we experience the lifestyle changes that come with living life beyond the grid and work with an ever growing number of customers, our thinking continues to shift and our commitment grows deeper.
We work closely with our customers to understand their individual needs and do our best to help them achieve their solar goals without breaking the bank. As our business grows, we are working hard to source and sell a wide range of products that will support your particular needs as you move beyond the grid.
We look forward to meeting you!
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