off-grid

American  

[awf-grid, of‐] / ˈɔfˌgrɪd, ˈɒf‐ /

off-the-grid,

Or off grid

adjective

1. not connected to or using one or more public utilities, as for electricity or water: Our farm is off grid and works on solar panels.

   Well over a billion people live in off-grid areas.

   Our farm is off grid and works on solar panels.

2. not connected to or using one or more public communications networks, as for cellular service.

   They live off grid with no internet access.

3. not having communication with the outside world; not participating in society.

   I sometimes fantasize about a solitary, off-grid life, far away from humanity.

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off-grid British  

adjective

1. not involving or requiring the use of mainstream sources of energy

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Etymology

Origin of off-grid

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

While there is increased interest in California to move off the grid with solar panels and batteries — especially as utilities expand the use of power shutoffs to prevent fire starts — completely off-grid homes remain rare.

From Los Angeles Times

In areas with frequent rain, the technology could offer a distributed source of clean power for local grids or act as a resource for off-grid needs.

From Science Daily

The project is expected to provide 2.5 gigawatts of off-grid power—enough to power almost two million homes—with the ability to expand from there if demand warrants.

From The Wall Street Journal

Data centers have thus turned to more expensive off-grid solutions that are nevertheless more readily available.

From The Wall Street Journal

But the country’s far west remains delightfully off-grid, a place for those seeking a different, quieter Europe.

From The Wall Street Journal