Whether you are considering solar power for your home, or you already have a system up and running, you should be aware of the fact that there are a number of differences between completely off-grid solar systems and grid tied systems.
On-grid solar panels are connected to the power grid
Whether you’re a new homeowner or an existing one, on-grid solar panels are a great way to save money on your monthly electric bill. They can reduce your power consumption and help you protect yourself from rapidly escalating electricity rates.
Before you buy an on-grid solar system, there are a few things to consider. First, consider the cost. Solar panels can cost thousands of dollars, but they can also save you thousands of dollars in electricity bills.
Next, you’ll need to choose a solar inverter. These convert the DC power from your solar panels into clean AC power. The inverter also measures the energy your home generates and tracks how much power you’re using. The inverter has multiple safety features built into it.
After you’ve installed your on-grid solar system, you can also make use of a Net Metering program. This program allows you to sell your excess solar power back to your utility company. The utility company will then give you credit on your monthly electric bill.
There are two main types of on-grid solar systems. Grid-tied with solar panels only, and grid-tied with battery backup. The primary difference between the two is a grid-tied solar system still draws power from the electric grid, but it cannot provide power during a power outage. A grid-tied solar system with battery backup will power your home even when there is a power outage.
Completely Off-Grid Solar Systems Are Not Connected To The Power Grid
Depending on your location and the amount of power you need, a completely off-grid solar system can provide reliable energy access. Rather than relying on a power company for power, an off-grid solar system stores excess power created by the solar panels in a battery bank. This can then be drawn on during the day or at night.
Off-grid solar systems can be designed to generate enough electricity to meet a home’s needs during the day. However, the real power is stored in the batteries. This power can be drawn on at night or in cloudy weather.
The inverter on an off-grid system is also a tool to measure how much energy your home uses. The inverter is the part of the system that tracks the energy produced by your solar panels.
An off-grid system is a good idea if you live in a remote area. However, most off-grid systems can provide only one to five days of emergency power. To ensure that your system will function, it should be designed to produce enough electricity to meet a variety of needs at all times of the year.
On-Grid Solar Panels Are The Most Affordable Option
Whether you want to pay less for electricity or just want to reduce your environmental impact, an on-grid solar system can make sense for you. These systems offer low upfront costs and lower operating costs. However, there are some drawbacks. The first is that you may not have access to electricity during blackouts. The second is that you may not have the ability to use the grid as a backup. 17 states do not have “Net Metering” policies, but Maine is one of the 33 who do, so the second drawback does not apply to Mainers.
On-Grid Solar Panels Are More Common
Adding solar panels to your home is a great way to save money on your utility bills. Solar panels reduce stress on the electricity grid by lowering the amount of energy that flows across distribution lines. Solar panels will also increase the value of your home.
The amount of electricity that you produce with a solar system depends on the amount of sunlight that hits the panels, along with the number of solar panels that you have. Sunny summer days are the best for solar panel energy production. On cloudy days, you won’t generate enough electricity to meet your needs.
On-grid systems can be installed easily and cost less to install than solar systems with battery banks. On-grid solar systems can pay for themselves in under eight years, while the payback period for solar systems with battery bank storage takes longer.
Both On-Grid And Off-Grid Solar Panels Can Handle Inclement Weather
Solar panels are designed to withstand extreme weather conditions. For example, they are rated to withstand hail up to one inch in size. They also can withstand sever temperature changes. For instance, the panels will still generate energy even if the temperature drops to below zero, or rises to 100F.
Final Thoughts
The newest and greatest on-grid solar panel systems can use a specialized power management system to ensure that your energy usage is optimized. This may be more expensive than using a battery, but it can reduce your electric bill and result in a quicker ROI.
There are advantages to each type of system, as well as some disadvantages. At Pine State Solar, we’re here to help you get the solar system that is ideal for your specific needs.