The smart way to go “off-grid” with Solarfix

Across Northern Ireland, more homeowners than ever are investing in solar panels from Solarfix to take control of their energy costs.

And one of the most common questions we hear is: “Can I go off-grid with solar?”

The idea of cutting ties with your electricity supplier and running your home entirely from your own power sounds appealing, but in reality, it’s not the best option for most people in Northern Ireland.

Here’s what you need to know before you make that decision.

The reality of going off-grid

In simple terms, “off-grid” means being completely disconnected from the NIE network. While that might sound great in theory, it’s not practical or cost-effective for Northern Ireland homes that already have a grid connection.

Instead, the smart goal is to reduce your grid dependency, not remove it.

With a properly designed solar and battery set-up from Solarfix, the aim

is to be effectively off-grid in the summer. Using solar power while it’s available during the day and storing your excess energy in a Duracell battery bank to use through the evenings and night.

This approach lets you make the most of the long summer days while still having the flexibility and peace of mind of staying connected for the darker winter months.

Why staying connected makes sense

Northern Ireland’s weather and daylight hours vary a lot throughout the year. In summer, solar systems can produce more energy than you’ll ever need. But during the shorter winter days, generation naturally drops and that’s when having a grid connection becomes invaluable.

If you were completely disconnected, you’d need a huge battery storage set-up and a back-up generator to keep your home powered through the winter. Which would cost far more than it’s worth, when you already have a grid connection.

By staying connected, you get the best of both worlds; free, renewable energy when the sun is shining, back-up supply when it’s not, and lower overall costs all year round.

The “grid-optional” lifestyle

Here’s how a smart Solarfix solar setup typically works in Northern Ireland:

• Daytime (summer): solar panels power your home directly and charge your Duracell battery bank

• Evening / night: you use your stored solar energy from the batteries instead of buying from the grid

• Winter: use a cheaper night tariff to top up your batteries overnight and use that power during the day

This approach gives you maximum independence, while still having the security of a grid connection when you need it.

Why Duracell batteries are the smart choice

To achieve this “grid-optional” lifestyle, your battery system is the heart of the set-up, and that’s why choosing the right one matters.

At Solarfix, we recommend Duracell batteries for one simple reason; they’re built to last.

Duracell is a name everyone trusts for quality and reliability and their solar batteries are no different. They’re designed to last up to three times longer than many other battery brands, meaning you won’t have to reinvest in replacements any time soon.

Each Duracell battery module is:

• Built for longevity providing consistent, reliable storage year after year

• Modular which allows Solarfix to design a bespoke battery package that fits your exact energy needs and lifestyle

• Compact and sleek so instead of relying on noisy, bulky generators, you get a clean, modern, space-saving solution that fits seamlessly into your home

With a Duracell battery bank, you can store more, save more, and enjoy true peace of mind knowing your system will keep performing for years to come.

Using export payments to offset winter bills

All domestic customers in Northern Ireland are now on export tariffs, meaning they get paid for the excess electricity their system sends back to the grid.

For many Solarfix customers, this happens in late summer or early autumn, and in some cases, the export payment is enough to cover the electricity costs for the winter.

That means across the year, you could end up with no net electricity cost at all. Effectively living “off-grid” financially, even though you’re still connected physically.

The smart way to go solar in Northern Ireland

Going solar isn’t about cutting the cord, it’s about taking control.

With a Solarfix solar system and a Duracell battery set-up, you can:

• Be self-sufficient through the summer

• Cut your winter costs in half

• Earn from your excess energy

• And enjoy year-round energy freedom without losing reliability

In Northern Ireland, that’s what true energy independence looks like.