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ON GRID
Grid-tied solar systems
Grid-tied, on-grid, utility-interactive, grid inter tie, and grid back feeding are all terms used to describe the same concept – a solar system that is connected to the utility power grid.
A grid connection will allow you to save more money with solar panels through lower equipment and installation costs, and better efficiency rates. When available, net metering, the ability to sell or store excess energy to your utility grid increases the profitability of this system.
OFF GRID
An off-grid solar system (off-the-grid, standalone) is the obvious alternative to one that is grid-tied.
For homeowners and businesses that have access to the grid, off-grid solar systems are usually out of question. Here’s why. To ensure access to electricity at all times, off-grid solar systems require high-capacity battery storage and a backup generator.
Living off the grid and being self-sufficient feels good. For some people, this feeling is worth more than saving money.
Energy self-sufficiency is also a form of security. Power failures on the utility grid do not affect off-grid solar systems.
On the flip side, batteries can only store a certain amount of energy, and during cloudy times, being connected to the grid is actually where the security is. You should install a backup generator to be prepared for these kinds of situations.
hybrid
Hybrid solar systems
Hybrid solar systems combine the best of grid-tied and off-grid solar systems. These systems can either be described as off-grid solar with utility backup power, or grid-tied solar with extra battery storage.
If you own a grid-tied solar system and drive a vehicle that runs on electricity, you already kind of have a hybrid setup. The electrical vehicle is really just a battery with wheels.
Hybrid solar systems are less expensive than off-grid solar systems. You don’t really need a backup generator, and the capacity of your battery bank can be downsized.
If your battery runs out of charge at night, you can simply buy off-peak electricity from the utility company. This will be much cheaper than operating a generator.