The race for renewable and clean energy continues, with huge investment and talent being funneled into building the electricity grid of the future.
National electricity grids typically serve as the backbone for homes, businesses, and factories. These complex systems are centrally controlled and require citizens to pay for access.
But what if people simply opted out—using small, localised grids powered by renewables, tailored to their needs?
Living off the Grid
Going off-grid means setting up a power system that can sustain itself without relying on national infrastructure. Crucially, it must generate electricity on demand—something we take for granted from central grids, thanks to their expansive generation and distribution networks.
The most viable off-grid option for individuals is solar power. Private coal or nuclear generation isn’t an option—unless, of course, you’re David Hahn.
Solar feasibility increases dramatically in regions with high solar irradiance. Unsurprisingly, this makes the Middle East a prime candidate, receiving 1400–1700 kWh/m²/year—around 6 kWh/m² daily.
However, setting up an off-grid solar system isn’t simple. Location, budget, and energy needs dictate system size and cost. The process begins by calculating daily energy use (in kWh), which depends on the wattage and average use-time of household appliances.
To determine the necessary solar panel output (in kW), one divides daily consumption by the number of strong sunlight hours. As a general rule, homes using between 1,000 and 3,000 watts should consider larger systems; those using less than 1,000 watts may manage with a 12V system.
Costs for fully off-grid systems range between USD 45,000 and 65,000—assuming no subsidies, since selling less grid electricity offers little incentive for governments to assist.
“Off-grid solar adoption is technically feasible, especially in rural or remote areas, but widespread household adoption is limited by subsidised grid electricity and regulatory constraints,” Srivatsa Bhargava, Director of Solar Energy at Clenergize Consultants, told ESG MENA.
“However, with the cost of solar lowering, fuel costs increasing, and the need for energy resilience increasing, we see growing potential in microgrids, battery energy storage systems, and hybrid solutions. The shift will accelerate as net-metering, tariff reform, and energy storage evolve across the region.”
The Advantages
The biggest draw is independence. Households no longer have to pay authorities for electricity or risk outages due to grid faults elsewhere. Users gain full control over supply, maintenance, and upgrades—reducing dependency on central systems.
If designed correctly, systems can provide stable power even in low-sunlight conditions, which large-scale solar grids often struggle with due to high demand.
Clusters of homes can also collaborate, forming off-grid communities—like the successful Twin Oaks Community in the US.
Some may choose to stay connected to the grid. A grid-tied solar system draws electricity during cloudy days or at night and, in many jurisdictions, excess energy sent back to the grid earns net metering credits to offset bills.
This approach works well with micro-renewables—small-scale power units up to 50 kW that can keep Middle Eastern homes powered during outages. In Iraq, where sandstorms often disrupt supply, biomass-powered micro-renewables could offer resilience.
“Clients are seeking energy independence, cost savings, and sustainability impact,” Bhargava added.
“With rising ESG pressure and increasing conventional electricity rates in some areas, decentralised solar plus storage is gaining traction as a viable long-term strategy. We’re supporting several clients in designing hybrid and self-consumption models aligned with local regulations.”
The Roadblocks
Solar development in the Middle East is progressing at an unprecedented pace. Once reliant on hydrocarbons, the region is now spending billions on solar infrastructure and setting ambitious renewables targets.
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 exemplifies this shift, aiming for 50% of power generation from renewables by 2030—requiring 130 GW of capacity.
But this transformation is being driven by state entities, sovereign wealth funds, and commercial giants like ACWA Power, backed by the Public Investment Fund. These actors are creating ultra-large, low-cost solar farms—profiting through regulatory control and centralized infrastructure.
This raises a core challenge: would governments tolerate widespread private disconnection from these regulated, state-backed grids? After all, energy is more than a utility—it’s a lever of political control.
Practical hurdles also remain. Regulation often lags behind innovation, and existing grids may struggle to accommodate widespread grid-tied solar systems. Meanwhile, high temperatures and frequent dust storms reduce solar panel efficiency and drive up maintenance costs—by up to 30% without automated cleaning.
These challenges place DIY solar systems out of reach for many individuals, at least for now.
While the Middle East is geographically primed for off-grid solar adoption, the political, technical, and regulatory landscapes remain hurdles. Until policies evolve and innovations become more accessible, citizens seeking independent power may have to wait.
Omar Ahmed