Off-grid solar systems in Kerala — full energy independence
Off-grid solar replaces KSEB entirely with panels, lithium batteries and a battery inverter. It's the right answer for remote properties, plantations and pump houses where bringing the grid in costs more than going solar.
- ₹1.2–1.8LPer kW cost
- LithiumBattery
- NoGrid needed
- 1–2 daysAutonomy
How off-grid works
Solar panels → MPPT charge controller → lithium battery bank → off-grid/hybrid inverter → your loads. We size battery capacity for 1–2 days of autonomy through cloudy spells and add a small diesel backup only if absolutely required.
Where off-grid wins in Kerala
• Plantations in Idukki, Wayanad, Pathanamthitta • Rubber/cardamom estates with workshops and pump sets • Remote agriculture pump houses • Telecom towers and forest checkposts • Independent farmhouses 1+ km from the nearest KSEB transformer
Hardware we trust
Tier-1 panels, Victron / Deye / Sungrow off-grid inverters, Pylontech / BYD / Polinovel LiFePO₄ batteries with 6,000–10,000 cycle life and 10-year warranty. We avoid lead-acid for new installs — total cost of ownership is higher despite the lower upfront price.
Frequently asked questions
+What is an off-grid solar system?
Off-grid solar is fully independent from KSEB — panels charge a battery bank during the day, and the battery powers your loads day and night through an inverter. No grid connection, no net metering, no electricity bill.
+When does off-grid make sense in Kerala?
Remote farms, plantations, hill estates, water-pump stations, telecom sites, and properties where KSEB extension cost is prohibitive (₹2–5 lakh per pole-km). For regular homes with KSEB supply, hybrid is usually a smarter choice than full off-grid.
+Off-grid cost in Kerala?
Roughly ₹1.2–1.8 lakh per kW with lithium battery (3–4× the cost of on-grid) because of battery, charge controller and oversized inverter. A 3 kW off-grid system with 5 kWh lithium battery runs ₹3.5–5.5 lakh.
+Is PM Surya Ghar subsidy available for off-grid?
No — the subsidy is only for grid-tied on-grid and hybrid systems with net metering. Off-grid qualifies for some state and MNRE schemes (especially for agriculture pumps under PM-KUSUM).