February 21, 2023

Shelter

Off-Grid Housing In USA & Europe Worth $68 BILLION By 2028

A new report on the off-grid housing market claims the sector is growing at 7% per year and will reach $68b per year by 2028 thanks to increasing awareness of the advantages of off-grid housing, such as energy independence, cost savings, and environmental sustainability.

SkyQuest’s research report says to interest in eco-friendly and minimalistic housing options requiring less energy is leading to the growth. Banks and insurance companies are now offering specialized insurance packages for off-grid homes, says the report which is likely to boost growth further.

The growing availability and affordability of renewable energy technologies have made it easier for people to live off-grid, reducing their reliance on traditional energy sources and decreasing their environmental impact.

Solar energy is the main power source for off-grid homes, allowing self-sufficiency and energy independence. Off-grid solar systems rely on solar panels and energy storage devices like solar batteries to provide electricity without needing a power grid. In addition, solar energy is a clean and renewable energy source, making it an attractive option for environmentally conscious consumers looking for sustainable and eco-friendly ways of powering their homes and businesses.

The need for reliable and sustainable energy sources in rural areas has led to an upsurge in off-grid solar power installations, providing a further incentive.

US Lighting Group, Inc. has announced the formation of wholly-owned subsidiary, Futuro Houses, LLC, to meet the demand for affordable housing. The new venture offers a self-sufficient, cost-effective, and energy-efficient housing solution for an off-grid lifestyle. With its smaller footprint, self-sufficient design, and low environmental impact, Futuro Houses is positioning itself to appeal to those seeking a modern, off-grid lifestyle.
Zendure, a rapidly growing clean energy tech startup, has unveiled its latest innovations in portable solar power at Intersolar North America. At the forefront is the SuperBase V, which is the world’s first modular, portable power station with semi-solid state batteries. This new technology delivers more reliable, safer, and cleaner energy to users wherever and whenever needed. The SuperBase V is a versatile power station for various purposes, from RV and off-grid living to EV charging, whole-home power, and emergency backup.
SEI Logistics, a Canadian company, has launched a new solution for off-grid power in remote and extreme locations. The portable, folding solar panels and battery kit are specifically designed for the oil and gas industry, where reliable power sources are crucial in harsh environments. The kit is housed in a durable case built to withstand extreme cold and harsh weather conditions. This product offers a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional power sources in remote locations.

Main suppliers of Off-Grid Housing

American Tiny House
Designer ECO Tiny Homes
Aussie Tiny Houses
ZOLA Electric
Greenlight Planet
Abengoa Solar
Sunrain
BrightSource Energy
Solectria Renewables
Canadian Solar Inc.
Winch Energy
Sunpower Corporation
Forest River Inc.
Thor Industries Inc.

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John Berger of Sunnova on Bloomberg TV
Energy

Judge halts Sunnova bid to power new homes off-grid

A California regulatory judge preliminarily rejected a move by Sunnova Energy, one of America’s biggest rooftop-solar companies, to serve as a micro-utility to new residential communities in the state.  The company was trying to use an obscure law relating to a 1920s ski resort to force its way into the highly regulated electricity Utility business.

A formal rejection would be a blow to residential solar and battery providers that have begun eating into the customer base of California’s big three privately-owned utilities — PG&E Corp., Edison International and Sempra Energy’s San Diego Gas & Electric. All three have fought to protect their territories as new technologies have eroded their monopolies.

Texas-based Sunnova, in September submitted an application to the California Public Utilities Commission to build and operate microgrids as part of new master-planned residential communities. But an administrative law judge said in a proposed decision issued Tuesday that Sunnova had failed to provide the information required for a so-called certificate of public convenience and necessity.

Sunnova is one of the biggest US corporations at the forefront of the struggle for more rights for off-grid energy producers.  It supplies solar rooftops under a variety of innovative financing arrangements, allowing property owners to install now and pay later.

Extreme weather and higher electricity prices are leading American households to bolt a record number of solar panels to their rooftops, loosening ties to the power grid and the utilities that run it. About 5.3 gigawatts of residential solar power capacity were installed in 2022, the biggest year for new installations and roughly equivalent to total rooftop solar capacity nationwide in 2015, the US Energy Information Administration has said. Installations jumped about 40 per cent year on year with about 180,000 US homes adding systems in the second quarter, according to data compiled by consultancy Wood Mackenzie. Home electricity prices rose only 7.5 per cent in 2022 – compared to much steeper rises in Europe,  and 4.3 per cent in 2021.

Rates have climbed largely because of higher prices for natural gas used to fuel power plants. “You’re going to continue to see some pretty big increases in monopoly utility bills over the next few months and quarters and we’re seeing growth because of that,” said John Berger, chief executive of Sunnova.

Berger said the utilities were defending a “Soviet-style” system that prevents competition in the power sector because they worry that the growth of home solar will eat into their market. “Consumers don’t have choices. They don’t get to choose their power provider, and I think they should be able to and I think more and more people are demanding that,” he said.

Executives and analysts also point to the numerous storms, heatwaves and fires across the country that have exposed deep vulnerabilities in the reliability of power grids across the US. Hurricane Ian last month knocked out power to 2.6mn customers in …

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