Assuming the panels are connected to the grid, then the power will be consumed by neighbors - not wasted.
EDIT: I see it was right there in the first line of the post that the plan is to unplug from the grid. I would reconsider this decision. If you stay connected, you can share your excess capacity - if not then you use it or lose it. Why put yourself in that position?
EDIT: I see it was right there in the first line of the post that the plan is to unplug from the grid. I would reconsider this decision. If you stay connected, you can share your excess capacity - if not then you use it or lose it. Why put yourself in that position?