Solar Panels Installed
74,000
Millions Saved
£17.4
Batteries Sold
1,880
Million KWH Produced
16.4
Experience Reliable Energy Off Grid
If you live or run a business from a remote location, with limited access to reliable energy sources, an Off Grid Solar & Battery system is a reliable and sustainable energy source you’ve been longing for.
In remote or rural areas, the costs, and logistical challenges of connecting to a traditional power grid can be significant, especially where there is a need to extend grid infrastructure. For many, this alone will make connecting to the grid a solution that is simply not economically viable. Even if you are lucky enough to get connected you will often be faced with reliability issues such as power outages, voltage fluctuations and inadequate infrastructure maintenance resulting in inconsistent electricity supply and still face daily standing charges along with paying for each kilowatt of energy you use.
Are Solar & Batteries a solution for being Off Grid?
As technology continues to advance, Solar Panels and Battery storage with the back up support of a generator is a permanent viable source of power for those seeking long-term reliability and cost savings in off grid scenarios. Solar & Battery Storage systems, particularly photovoltaic (PV) panels, harness sunlight to generate electricity, providing a sustainable and reliable energy source charging batteries or deploying power directly into a property. The modular nature of solar installations allows for scalability, making them adaptable to various energy needs, whether for residential or commercial purposes.
Speak to the Off Grid Solar Experts
For 13 years, Callidus have made a name for themselves as a leading installer of quality off grid solar & Battery installations. No location is too remote, the expert team at Callidus work closely with you to understand your requirements and ensure that you have the reliable energy source you need. With access to the very best products and suppliers our team will make sure you have the optimal installation to generate energy now, as well as the ability to generate value for the long term.
Contact Callidus Today – It’s Time to Get Connected
Join Callidus – Stay Connected Off Grid
Remote Living
Whilst living in the country can be idyllic, making sure you have reliable energy can present some major challenges. By choosing solar, you can achieve energy independence, relying only on the abundant sunlight to power your home.
The even better news is that with our innovative modular solar systems, your solar installation can grow with you as rural life changes and evolves.
Self Builds
If you’ve made the brave decision to dive into an ambitious self-build project, don’t take shortcuts when it comes to energy generation. From the day you start your project, solar can be offering you reliable and eco-friendly energy at the fraction of the cost of traditional power grids. Reducing your costs throughout the build process, ensuring you have reliable energy once the projects complete and providing an opportunity for growth and expansion in the future.
Farms
If you run a farm or an agribusiness, you are often more exposed to rising energy costs, with a pressing need to always keep vital farm processes operational. Investing in solar power is a strategic move towards sustainability and operational efficiency.
The modular nature of solar installations also allows for scalability, catering to the diverse energy needs of various agricultural activities and allowing for diversification and growth.
Commercial
While an increasing number of business owners are choosing to move their businesses away from the hustle and bustle of busy towns and cities, this can often present new energy challenges. In such locations where traditional power sources are impractical or unavailable, solar installations provide a reliable and sustainable energy source.
What’s In It For You?
Cutting Edge Off Grid Solutions
Solar Panels
Victron Innovation
Generators
Battery Storage Systems
Solar Panels
When selecting solar panels and components for an off grid system, there are several considerations that play a crucial role in ensuring optimal performance and longevity.
Roof Mounted or Ground Mounted
In contrast to more standard domestic/ commercial installations which are nearly always roof mounted, off grid solar installations can be roof mounted or ground mounted. Where possible in an off grid scenario we will still opt for roof mounted where possible as this is usually permitted development and doesn’t require planning. This results in a more efficient installation process and means you can start generating energy more quickly.
Ground mounted solar panels come into their own where larger solar installations are required. By ground mounting panels you are able to maximise flexibility in positioning for maximum sunlight exposure, making it easier to adjust to seasonal variations. The most important consideration if you are considering ground mounted solar is the additional time required throughout the planning process.
Expandability
Solar panel installations in remote locations often offer huge potential when it comes to expandability.
Take extra care when considering your choice of solar system. Not all systems offer this flexibility, so selecting the right supplier and products is paramount. At Callidus we pride ourselves providing solutions that can grow and evolve as your needs change in the future.
Technology Choice
Making the right technology choices is hugely important when installing off grid in remote settings. At Callidus, all our solar panels are N-Type panels, offering the latest technology and boasting the highest level of output. These Monocrystalline solar panels are renowned for their efficiency and longevity making them a solid choose for off-grid installations. Their ability to generate power even in low-light conditions is beneficial in areas with unpredictable weather patterns. In contrast the more traditional Polycrystalline panels (P-type) can provide a more cost effective alternative, though they have a tendency to slightly lower efficiency in certain environments.
In the most remote off-grid locations, the durability and resistance of solar panels becomes hugely critical especially in harsh environments. Weather resistance and robust materials contribute to the longevity of the system with a need for regular maintenance to address dust, debris and weather related wear.
The key to getting the most from an off grid solution, is working with a provider who truly understands the challenges of off grid power generation and has a track record for delivering quality installations even in the most unpredictable environments. Start your journey to reliable off grid energy, by booking a consultation with the expert team at Callidus Solar.
Victron Innovation
When it comes to getting the best outcomes for off grid solar systems, we choose the exceptional components from Victron. Using these components, we believe in the longevity and durability of our systems, as they have been tested against even the harshest environments and conditions.
Specifically in off grid environments the Victron components that we build can be adapted to be completely off grid or run from a generator. This is unlike all other systems that need a grid connection to work.
As a manufacturer, Victron ensures that all materials are built to the highest standards to ensure nothing less than excellence in quality and performance.
There are four main ways that your Victron Energy ESS can reduce your energy usage:
Solar Generation
Utilising solar panels to generate power, optimized by the Victron MPPT charge controller. Excess energy can be stored in batteries for later use, ensuring reliability and cost savings.
Battery Storage
The ESS accommodates various batteries, offering scalability up to 200 kWh. This flexibility provides users with increased energy storage and usage options, making it an ideal choice for residential and off-grid installations.
Off-peak Charging
Takes advantage of cheaper off-peak electricity rates to charge batteries, reducing energy costs. The Victron system can automatically charge during low-demand hours, such as overnight, contributing to significant savings.
Power Backup in Outages
The ESS can supply power during outages, supporting essential appliances. The battery can sustain the energy overnight and recharge when solar generation resumes, ensuring a reliable power source during emergencies.
Want to find out more about how Victron can work for your off-grid solar installation? Book an appointment with the experts at Callidus for a demonstration of how Victron can work for you.
Generators
When considering a complete off grid system with no support from an electricity supply or metered supply there are many important considerations to make sure that you get the very best support from your off-grid power supply.
Solar Panels and batteries are a great source of power for most of the year, but panels only produce power in daylight conditions and if batteries are not charged enough then you will need a backup generator to have continuous power.
A Victron Energy system can be used in conjunction with a generator to provide backup power in the event of an outage or when a user is completely Off Grid.
Here’s how it works:
The generator is connected to the Victron system through a device called a “transfer switch” or if a generator is wired to the Cerbo with an auto start / stop function. When the main power source (E.G utility grid) goes down, the transfer switch or Cerbo detects the outage and automatically starts the generator. The generator then produces electricity, which is fed into the Victron system. The Victron system converts the generator’s AC power into DC power, which is used to charge the system’s batteries.
The batteries provide a stable source of power, which is then inverted back into AC power and distributed to the loads (E.G lights, appliances) in the building. This allows the Victron system to provide continuous power to the building during an outage if the generator has enough fuel to run.
Callidus don’t supply or install Generators, but please follow these steps to make sure you have the right product to support your Off-grid system.
- Generators should always be TWICE the kW or kVA of the inverter.
(To make sure the generator can support the load and have enough power to charge batteries)
- Auto start stop function is required. The Callidus system will know when your property needs additional power and will automatically start the generator and turn it off when it is no longer required.
- Ideally a silent running generator is best – they all make noise, but silent options offer the lowest decibel rating.
(Super silent produce a noise level of up to 58dba at 1m. To put that into perspective, from 1 meter away these super silent generators will sound like an idling diesel car).
- Diesel generators are often the most efficient and can take larger loads.
- The generator should be a 1500rpm as these last longer than 3000rpm generators.
- Your generator should have a 100amp RCD.
Installation Requirements
Your generator should be in place on the day Callidus come to install your panels and electrics. We will have given advise on Survey for the cables that are required to link up your generator to the Callidus board and these cables need to be in place on the day of your planned installation.
Callidus are not Generator engineers, and you should plan your generator supplier to be onsite for the day of the electrical installation.
Battery Storage Systems
Battery storage systems play a crucial and indispensable role in off-grid installations, especially in remote locations where access to a reliable power grid is limited or non-existent.
The essential value of batteries off grid lies in their ability to store excess energy when it is produced and release it when demand exceeds supply, ensuring a continuous and reliable power supply.
Key considerations when sourcing your off-grid battery system
Type of Battery
Lead-acid batteries, despite being an older technology, remain a popular choice due to their cost-effectiveness and reliability. Lithium-ion batteries, on the other hand, offer higher energy density, longer lifespan, and lighter weight, making them ideal for applications where space and weight considerations are crucial. Other emerging technologies, such as flow batteries and advanced lead-acid variants, also show promise in providing efficient and sustainable energy storage solutions for off-grid scenarios.
Capacity
The capacity of the battery system must align with the energy demand of the off-grid site to ensure a consistent power supply.
Reliability and Lifespan
The reliability and lifespan of the chosen battery technology are crucial factors, as frequent maintenance and replacements may be challenging in remote locations.
Additionally, considerations such as temperature sensitivity, charging efficiency, and the environmental impact of the battery technology should also be taken into account to maximise the overall efficiency and sustainability of the off-grid power system.
If you need support in finding the right battery storage to support your solar system, contact the team here at Callidus to guide you through the options best suited to your off-grid needs.
Why Choose Callidus
Callidus are one of the UK’s leading purveyors and installers of solar panels for your home, based in Newton Abbot in Devon. We are proud to have installed more than 73,000 solar panels spanning the South West and beyond, supporting our growing domestic and commercial client base.
As your local solar experts, we have worked hard to build strong connections in the industry, ensuring the best quality products, always installed by our expert and knowledgeable team of installers.
The even better news is, we can offer you the best price in the South West Guaranteed.What are you waiting for?
What Our Customers Say
The guys at Callidus were all fantastic. We had lots of questions before we had our solar power system installed, and all our many emails were...
We live off grid in Cumbria and wanted to upgrade our electricity supply. We contacted Callidus and they were very happy to work with us. With...
Fantastic customer service! Such incredibly helpful staff. Can’t rate them highly enough. Highly recommend this company. So helpful and...
The entire team at Callidus, from the top to the bottom, are amazing. Knowledge, support, passion to place the customer and their needs at the...
I have just had an off grid solar system fitted by Steve and his team. It has been a completely stress free experience. Everyone was so...
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Although based in Newton Abbot in Devon, we offer our installation services across England and Wales and also deliver nationwide. We have worked across areas such as Leeds and Bradford, down through Essex, Surrey, Reading, Berkshire and into the South of England. Discover the benefits of renewable energy and request a quote today.