Should you choose a grid-tied solar system?

When going solar, one of the first questions you’ll need to ask yourself is whether you’ll want to be grid-tied or off the grid. In this blog, we’ll be exploring why grid-tied solar might be the right option for you, and how you should go about getting a grid-tied solar system.

A grid-tied solar system simply means that you’ll remain hooked up to your utility company, just like you are right now. Whereas an off-grid solar system means you’d be totally independent, relying on yourself to produce as much energy as you need. In this blog we’ll explore why off-grid might not be what you’re looking for and how being on a grid-tied system might be right for you.

What are the advantages of having a grid-tied system?

The main advantage of a grid-tied system is the reduction of your utility bills. Though the initial cost to install a solar system may seem like a lot, the amount you’ll save over time on your bills will greatly outweigh it. After a decade or less, your system will have already paid for itself. On top of that, you won’t have to install batteries like an off-grid system would, so your initial installation costs will also be less.

Another great advantage of choosing grid-tied over off-grid is that you won’t have to worry about running out of your power. When you choose an off-grid system, you are responsible for generating enough power to keep your home up and running. However, with a grid-tied system, if you don’t generate enough energy to keep your home powered, the utility company will provide the energy you need, and that’s what you’ll pay for.

An even greater advantage of on-grid is that you can even sell your excess power back to your utility company. If you are providing more back to the grid than you need and supplying your neighbors with extra energy that they need, you’ll probably never actually pay a utility bill again, because the excess energy will balance it out, plus you won’t have to pay for extra energy you couldn’t produce. This system is called “net metering.”

What parts do I need to get my on-grid system?

To set up your on-grid system, you’ll need your solar panels, the mounting/racking system to put on your roof, the inverter that transfers the energy to your home, the grid disconnect for maintenance, the combiner box for your connections to all be in one place, and the DC disconnect to shut down your system for things like maintenance and inspections.

How big of a solar system will I need?

Using your most recent electric bill, find out what your 12-month average electrical use is, which will be in kWh (kilowatt-hours).

Take that 12-month average and multiply it by the percentage you want your panels to products (for example: 1000kWH x 50% = 500kwH).

Take your new number and divide it by 30 to get your daily output from your system.

Divide the daily output of the solar system by the daily average sun hours for your area.

Take that amount and divide it by 75% for your system’s average efficiency.

You will then take this number, which is how much energy you’ll need to produce each day, and use it to figure out how many panels you’ll need to power your home each day.

Want to learn more about bringing solar into your lifestyle? Check out the HahaSmart blog!

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