Most conventional residential solar systems aren't totally "off grid" because they do not have energy storage, thus they are "grid tied" so the system is providing enough power to go off grid while the sun shines. Since most people do not use very much electricity late at night, at least not compared to what they use during the day, your primary utility consumption is during off-peak hours, and your consumption in the daytime is either zero, or maybe "in the minus" territory where, in a lot of areas, you are selling power BACK to the utility.
The solar install companies generally LEASE you the system for 20-25 years with a very low monthly price, which is a lot lower than your current electric utility bill, and they lock you in with that low monthly rate. Thus, you are effectively paying NOTHING for the installation itself, and between the lease payment and the drastically lower bill, you are saving an enormous amount on your electricity costs.
If you live in an area with net metering and the right state laws, the utility may even have to pay you for the excess power you are selling back to them, which lowers your bill even further.
So you might want to look into it, because it might be more affordable than you think.
And, you can always add a storage system later in most cases, which would enable you to go completely off grid.