It's a great concept: living off the grid. But do those people who profess to live off the grid really do so?
Not very likely.
Even if you generate your own power at home through a combination of solar, wind, and even geothermal energy sources, you are dependent on the grid for a lot of things you take for granted.
For example, how do your think your tools and electronic devices were manufactured if not for grid -based power. That means every refrigerator, light bulb, computer, razor, toothbrush and all the other modern conveniences that you avail yourself of would not exist but for the grid. You can't make a solar panel without high purity silicon. And of course, you use a cell phone and the cell phone network, including its satellites, don't you?
And unless you are quite skilled at skinning, spinning, knitting, and sewing, the grid also provides the means to produce your shoes, clothes, blankets, and linens.
Even the Amish don't reject all the conveniences and technology from the modern world. They may avoid grid-provided electricity, but many use kerosene-powered refrigerators and generators. They are also still willing to hire cars and vans or ride in trains or buses.
Living off the grid-really and truly off the grid-means literally going back to nature. And most people aren't really able to do that. It would be like perpetual camping. People living in rural or sparsely populated areas where utility companies have not provided services come close to off-the grid living. They are forced to generate their own power if they want to have any electrical conveniences at all. But to run oil-powered generators requires oil, which had to obtained somehow-pumped from the ground, refined, and transported to the remote location where it is used.
Part of progressing as a society is using the resources and technology we have developed to improve our standard of living, while always maintaining a respect for the cost to the environment when we do. People need to be housed, clothed and fed, and need places to live and work. Wise development of land can provide these needs and improve our living standards without destroying the earth's ability to continue to provide for our needs.
The electrical grid is an integral part of the infrastructure of society. We should use it wisely, and not waste the power we obtain or abuse the benefit. A rational approach is to reduce our need for power but not be completely severed from the grid. Conserving, and using our resources wisely, but not ex-communicating ourselves from the grid is the best approach.
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