---
title: Why are Californians going off the grid?
description: Unreliable utility companies and changing energy costs are pushing residents to build their own energy systems.
---

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# [Why are Californians going off the grid?](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/news/03182022-california-power)

 Written by [Mia Sullivan](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/news/author/mia-sullivan) | Mar 18, 2022 7:36:19 AM

Going off the grid used to be reserved for that outdoorsy high school friend who read *Into the Wild* a few too many times.

But in California, going off the grid is having a bit of a moment.

According to *The New York Times*, residents building new homes are increasingly [choosing](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/13/business/energy-environment/california-off-grid.html) to build their own systems rather than connect to the grid.

#### **Why?**

Some reasons include more frequent power outages, soaring electricity costs, and [wildfires](https://www.businessinsider.com/pge-caused-california-wildfires-safety-measures-2019-10) caused by utility companies.

Naturally, costs play a prominent role:

- Prices for solar panels have dropped below $4/watt, from ~$11.40/watt in 2000
- Lithium-ion batteries are cheaper and lower maintenance than traditional lead acid batteries

There’s also a mounting fear that energy costs will [keep rising](https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-your-electric-bill-is-soaringand-likely-to-go-higher-11647250380) due to Russia’s war against Ukraine, and extreme weather events that damage aging electricity [infrastructure](https://www.wsj.com/articles/americas-power-grid-is-increasingly-unreliable-11645196772).

#### **But going off-grid…**

… isn’t always the cheaper option upfront. Installing new power lines to connect to the grid can cost $20k-$78k, while building an off-grid system can cost $35k-$100k.

It’s also not for the faint of heart. If something goes wrong — especially out in the California wilderness — you could be very much on your own.

If that, or the movie version of *Into the Wild* doesn’t scare you away, check out [Primal Survivor](https://www.primalsurvivor.net/). It shares resources on how to go off-grid, including The “Oh Crap!” [guide](https://www.primalsurvivor.net/off-grid-sewage/) to off-grid sewage and septic systems.

[View full post](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/news/03182022-california-power)

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