When Investing in Solar, Should You Be Grid-Tied or Go Off-Grid?

You may be surprised to learn that when it comes to going solar, you have the option of going off-grid. Both grid-tied and off-grid solar power offer their own benefits and disadvantages, and the choice is completely up to you. Whichever choice you do make, it’s important to be fully informed so you aren’t locked into a system you realize you don’t like over time. Being knowledgeable about your solar system is the best way you can ensure you are completely satisfied, regardless of which grid system you decide is right for you.

What Exactly is a Grid-Tied System?

A grid-tied system is a type that is attached to an electrical grid. If you are currently using regular electricity, then you are also currently tied to the grid. These are the most mainstream type used in the United States, perhaps because of how comfortable it feels remaining with a utility company and not going independent with your energy. Because these systems are tied to the grid which is directly tied to a utility company, energy is received in the form of credits. The panels on your roof will produce the energy, that energy will be tied to your company, and that company’s credits will be what powers your home. A nice perk of this system is not having to worry about the power going off if you use more energy than you generate. Because you’ll be on a grid system, even if you aren’t producing as much energy as you’re using, your lights will stay on. Instead of shutting off your power, the utility company will simply bill you for any excess energy you use. This also means that as long as you generate energy equal to the amount you use, it will be free.

Another great incentive of being tied to a grid is that if you do generate additional energy, you will actually have the opportunity to get paid by your power company for all your additional energy. The additional energy produced by these homes will then be used to help power homes that don’t have enough energy for their daily lifestyle. Essentially, you will be selling your extra energy to them if you are a high energy generator - the power company pays you and then bills the home requiring the extra energy. And if you are one of those homeowners that don’t produce enough energy, this will keep your home powered up, plus you’ll still be paying less than you would if you still had traditional electricity. On top of this, you’ll also be helping the environment regardless, which also means access to government incentives and rebates.

How is an Off-Grid System Different?

These types of systems are powered solely by the homeowner, with the use of batteries that store all extra energy generated. This means that extra energy must be generated to the batteries during the day in order to keep the lights on at night. An advantage of this stored energy is that during power outages, your lights will stay on, whereas a grid-tied system wouldn’t. If you’re considering this system, just keep in mind that batteries are an additional expense. You also won’t be able to be paid through a power company for your extra energy, as you won’t be connected to them in any way, and you will have to rely on yourself for all your energy generation and consumption.

Want to learn more about types of solar power and making the right choice for your home? Check out the HahaSmart Blog for more info!

HahaSmart Blog - More Solar Tips and Guide
HahaSmart News - Stay Informed
Your Solar Incentives - See Credits and Incentives in Your Area
Check Your Home's Solar Price - See How Much You Save
Register Now - Unlock The Lowest Solar Prices in Your Area