Off-grid solar installations do add thousands to upfront investment costs as additional equipment is required to successfully power your home 24/7. A solar battery bank stores excess energy during the day and supplies power as needed, during the night or other high-demand periods. These are needed because there is no grid connection to provide power when the sun isn’t shining. These systems are more complex and expensive than their grid-tied counterparts because it is highly recommended to include a battery storage system, backup generator, or both. Shutting off grid-tied solar power systems during outages ensures there is no surprise solar electricity sent back through lines when they are being repaired.įor those looking for complete independence from their power company, or with a home or business in a remote location, off-grid solar systems are the place to start. This is to protect the utility workers who need the lines to be dead to safely complete their repairs. Generally, if your home or business is more than 100 yards from the power grid, then off-grid options may be worth exploring.Īnother consideration for grid-tied systems is that they will not provide power during an outage without additional equipment like an energy storage device, even if the sun is shining. Extending transmission lines can get expensive, so off-grid solar systems are more typical for remote properties. The cost-effectiveness of grid-tied solar systems does rely on close proximity to the power grid. Generally, the power your grid-tied system sends back to the grid is credited towards a deduction off of your monthly electric bill. Net-metering structures differ by utility and state, so it is important to check on your local electricity provider’s net-metering policy. This process is called net-metering, which is a key factor for grid-tied systems’ return on investment. These credits can then be used during periods when the panels are not producing. When the solar panels produce more energy than your home requires, often during the radiant afternoon sun, that extra energy can be sent back to the grid in exchange for electricity credits. They can also be designed to allow for additional panels to be added in the future, for example, if you’re anticipating a new electric vehicle in your future. This flexibility is another reason grid-tied systems are usually cheaper.
OFF GRID MEANING INSTALL
Homeowners can let their budget guide how many panels to install and not worry about meeting the entire home’s energy demand. Grid-tied systems can also be more flexible in terms of sizing. Your local utility provides power whenever the solar panels cannot cover the energy load themselves, for instance at night or on cloudy days, so there is no requirement to also add batteries or a backup generator. Grid-tied systems have the lowest upfront costs and are the easiest to integrate into your current way of living (electricity pun definitely intended). The simplest of the three options, a grid-tied system, is the most popular choice for a reason. Below are in-depth explanations of each system set up to guide your choice.
Beyond cost and location, the choice to keep a grid connection or sever the grid cord depends on your own energy and environmental goals as well as some site-specific parameters. Hybrid systems fall between these two in terms of cost and offer the most flexibility for homeowners wanting to get good returns on energy sent back to the grid. Off-grid systems have the added cost of batteries and/or gas generators, so these systems are most popular for remote locations where the cost of extending power lines becomes a key factor. Grid-tied systems are the least expensive and most popular option for homeowners who live in close proximity to the power grid. This third option, called a hybrid system, has an energy storage component, like most off-grid systems, but maintains a connection to the power grid. There is also a middle ground between grid-tied and off-grid. There is no tie-in to the utility lines, so all of the power for your home must come from your panels, energy they’ve stored in batteries, or additional power generators. An off-grid solar power system is just that. If your home’s electricity needs are beyond the production of your solar panels, then the power grid covers the difference. Grid-tied solar power systems mean that your home is still connected to the local power grid. Whether you are committed to adding solar to your home or just beginning to explore the idea, perhaps the earliest and most important choice to make in designing a solar power system is whether your system is grid-tied or off-grid.
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