House Powered by Solar: Complete Guide for Homeowners

A house powered by solar whether grid tied or completely off grid is no longer a futuristic idea—it's a rapidly growing reality for families looking to reduce or eliminate electric bills, increase home value, and gain true energy independence. With modern technology, scalable systems, and accessible financing, solar has become one of the smartest home upgrades available today.

In this guide, we’ll explore the question of, is my home good for solar, as well as, am I ready for the off grid solar lifestyle or should I add solar to my grid tied system? We will also look at the pros and cons of solar energy and answer the question, does solar improve home value.

We’ll also help you choose the best scalable off-grid kits from OMO Solar, giving you the flexibility to grow your system as your energy needs evolve.

How do solar panels work on a house?

Solar panels work by converting sunlight into electricity through photovoltaic cells that produce DC power, which is then transformed into AC power through an inverter. This energy powers your lights, appliances, and devices throughout the day, and when combined with lithium batteries, it also provides nighttime and backup electricity.

To see real examples of how systems are installed and structured, you can view our solar installation projects here.

Is my home good for solar? (Off grid or grid tied)

Most homes are good candidates for some type of solar, especially if you have:

A roof with direct sunlight for 4–6 hours per day
Adequate space for roof or ground-mounted panels needed for your homes energy consumption
Increasing grid energy consumption and a desire to reduce costs
A desire for long-term energy savings
A desire for energy independence

If you're unsure whether your home is suitable for solar, consider getting a personalized evaluation based on your property, roof structure, and energy usage.

Am I a good match for off grid for solar?

Most people who are considering off grid solar are usually good candidates, especially if you:

Desire true energy independence
Are independent and acknowledge that YOU are your power company and as such, are tasked with; understanding your system and its components, system maintenance, upkeep, life cycling system components and at times, system troubleshooting and programming.
Desire to live in a location where grid power is limited or unavailable
Desire long-term energy cost savings

Pros and cons of solar energy

Before transitioning to a house powered by solar, it’s important to understand the realistic benefits and considerations of solar energy.

Pros

Lower electric bills and lifetime savings
Backup power when paired with lithium batteries
Clean, renewable energy with zero emissions
Increased home value
Scalable systems that grow with your needs
Quiet and reliable operation

Cons

Requires an upfront investment
Site layout, roof shading or orientation may affect efficiency
Needs proper system sizing and installation
Requires some maintenance and interaction from homeowner

If cost is a concern, you can use financing options to make the transition more accessible and affordable.

Understanding Solar System Maintenance and Upkeep

Solar systems are largely self sufficient but depending on your equipment, location and seasonal weather may require some maintenance and upkeep:

Solar panels, Solar panels need sunlight! This may sound elementary, but some owners may not realize that panels which were in full sun during other seasons, may become snow covered in the winter. This may require regular snow removal to produce energy. Additionally, panels can become shaded as trees grow or new structures are built near solar array. This may facilitate the need to trim or remove trees and carefully plan for future structure shading. You must be sure that your systems solar array is capable of generating the amount of power you plan to consume PLUS that needed to recharge your battery bank. OMO Solar will work with you to assist in determining what that array should be for your application.
Batteries and their maintenance, The key to success with battery storage is ensuring you have a large enough battery bank for your peak non-generating usage needs. Unlike older SLA and AGM batteries, most modern lithium batteries require little to no maintenance. Ensuring that your batteries are stored in a location within environmental parameters specified by manufactures and maintaining charge levels at or above minimums specified by manufactures is usually all that’s necessary for longterm battery life.
Generators, Because they have engines and burn fuel generators need some maintenance and upkeep and of course fuel. All off grid systems should incorporate a backup generator for long periods of low solar energy production. While not mandatory for grid tied solar systems a generator can add an extra layer of security. These generators will require some maintenance, engine and battery and of course, re-fueling during use. Much of a generators maintenance issues can be minimized by running them regularly. This charges the battery and also alerts you of a possible issue BEFORE you need your generator to backup your solar system. Sol-Ark inverters can be programmed to run a weekly startup on a 2-wire prime power generator and some generators have this as a built-in feature. Re-fueling can be minimized by opting for optional large fuel storage solutions (diesel or propane tanks)
Solar Inverters Most of OMO’s solar inverters are largely maintenance free. However, they will require initial setup and programming (pre-setup and programming can be done by OMO on new systems for additional fee). Inverters need to initially be programmed for your system specifics and if desired, connected to your homes wifi network. If you change things with your system, add or change batteries, or generators your system may require additional simple user friendly onscreen programming changes. You will need to learn to read the inverter’s onscreen readout or cell phone or computer interface to monitor your solar systems performance.
Low-maintenance operation In general, whole home solar systems are relatively low maintenance and simple to use. This is especially true of grid tied systems as you always have the grid to fall back on if you miss something. Off grid systems just require a bit more attention/interaction and an acknowledgement that you now control your home’s power system. As such, you must have a basic understanding of how its components operate and how to manage them and your home’s load demand.

Understanding your energy needs and managing it for off grid living

As previously mentioned, off grid living requires a bit of additional commitment. Many take power usage for granted when grid tied, we turn on a switch and something works. What’s more important, are things that turn on that we don’t have to consciously think about that drain energy, electric water heaters, well pumps and thermostatically controlled heating and cooling systems for example. These items have a very large power usage and are often forgotten. There are also numerous devices in our homes which have a “phantom power draw” many modern electronics are not truly off when you power them down. A large number of them simply go into a standby mode that appears to be off but isn’t. These phantom loads can account for a large portion of a homes energy usage. The only way to deal with these is to unplug them or flip the breaker to them until you use them. This procedure is also referred to as load management.

Another way to minimize large loads is to utilize alternative energy source devices like propane or gas water heaters, clothes dryers and stoves. Additionally, propane, oil, ground source or wood heating devices are often preferable in an off grid home system. Of course solar can handle all power needs. But, you must know what your peak demand is and then purchase a system that meets those requirements with a bit of built-in headroom.

Does solar improve home value?

Yes—solar significantly improves home value.

Studies show that homes with solar energy systems often sell faster and for higher prices compared to non-solar homes. Buyers are willing to pay more for properties that offer:

Reduced monthly energy bills
Energy independence
Backup power capability
Modern, efficient home features

Installing solar is not just an energy upgrade—it’s a long-term equity investment.

Best scalable solar kits for a fully solar-powered home

Every OMO Solar kit is 100% scalable, allowing you to expand your system with additional panels or batteries as your household’s energy needs grow. Here are some of our most popular kit options.

2.2K Solar Kits — Scalable, an ideal starter kit

Ideal for cabins, tiny homes, or very light off-grid living.
Includes:

2.2kW solar array
Various lithium battery options
Various inverter options
Roof mounting & wiring

Our most popular 6KW - 30KW Solar Kits — Scalable & ideal for everyday families

Perfect for average-size homes looking for stability and long-term energy savings.
Includes:

Solar arrays from 6KW - 30KW
Lithium battery banks from 32kWh and up
15KW Sol-Ark inverter options
Complete ground or roof mounting kits

The Ultimate kits for large homes

The Ultimate kits are for those who want the best solar system for their home

These powerful systems are built for high energy consumption, large families, workshops, and full off-grid independence.

15kW - 50KW Complete Off-Grid Solar Kits — Scalable & powerful

The Ultimate kits are designed for large homes with multiple appliances, A/C units, and heavy usage.
Includes:

15KW - 50KW solar array options
Lithium battery banks from 32kWh and up
18KW Sol-Ark inverter
Backup generator options
EMP Shield system
Complete seasonal adjustable ground mounts or roof mounting kits

View The Ultimate home kit options in our online store

Ready to power your home with solar?

A house powered by solar gives you long-term savings, higher home value, and total energy independence. Whether you're exploring the pros and cons of solar energy, wondering is my home good for solar, or choosing a scalable off-grid system, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.

If you want help selecting the right solar kit for your home or need a customized recommendation, we’re here whenever you’re ready.

Send us a message and get your personalized solar consultation today.

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