With more utilities shifting to an on demand pricing framework (means you pay more when energy is in higher demand), the cost efficiency of solar + batteries starts to make sense. The goal with hybrid systems is to help reduce your peak energy consumption during the day. Hybrid systems combine both the concept of off grid and on grid together for an easy “plug and play” solution. RV Solar kits are a grid example of off grid solar. However, there are disadvantages because off-grid systems require you to purchase back-up battery which can be expensive, bulky, and not very environmentally friendly which defeats the purpose of going solar (save money and live greener). This is appealing because you are 100% self-sustaining your energy use. The systems are designed to rapidly deploy and provide back-up power for years at a single location without the need for line power. We can, and have, designed off-grid power systems for all sizes of homes. During the day, the panels store enough sunlight and utilize excess power throughout the night. Usually, the system consists of solar panels, battery, load controller, grid box, inverter, mounting structure, and system balance. Being grid-tied is beneficial because you don’t have to buy an expensive battery back-up system to store any excess energy.īeing off-grid means you are not connected in any way to your grid’s power system or utility company. The OffGrid Power Solutions system is a mobile source of solar power providing temporary back up power and a remote power option for critical loads in the event of an electric power failure. Off-grid systems run without a grid, however, batteries are capable of storing the system’s solar power.
If you are producing more energy with your solar panels or system than you are using, the excess energy is sent to your grid’s power company, allowing you to build credit that you can cash out with at the end of the year, in a process called net metering. All this means for you is that your utility system acts as your battery space. This is what most residential homes will use because you are covered if your solar system under or over-produces in regard to your varying energy needs.
On-grid means your solar system is tied to your local utility company’s system.