Forums » Off-Topic Discussions
which pairing of on and off-grid is right for you?
-
Hybrid solar systems: which pairing of on and off-grid is right for you?
Solar offers more than just an opportunity to reduce your carbon footprint. When you install solar panels on your roof, you are a step closer to taking your electricity production and consumption into your own hands. One of the biggest decisions solar shoppers have to make is whether to install a standard grid-tied solar energy system, a solar battery backup, or a hybrid solar system. Get more news about Off Grid Hybrid Solar Power System,you can vist our website!
What are hybrid solar panels?
A hybrid solar panel system is a combination of a grid-connected and storage-ready apparatus that provides consistent energy supply during day and night. The hybrid system stores energy for later use in one or multiple solar batteries but then can also pull from the grid in high energy use periods like hot summer months. Any solar-plus-storage system that is not meant to be entirely off-grid will be a hybrid system.Why would you choose a grid-tied solar system?
Off-grid solar technology is becoming more advanced every year, and a growing number of companies are manufacturing solar batteries for home. If you install battery storage along with your PV system, you can store excess solar electricity when it’s produced and then use it as needed later. Theoretically, this means that you can completely sever your connection with your electricity utility. In practice, it often makes more sense to stay grid-tied, particularly if you live in an area with significant climate variation.Most of the solar batteries for home use available today, like the Tesla Powerwall, are designed to store solar energy generated during the day for your home to use at night. This can help you reduce your reliance on utility electricity by storing your excess solar power at home instead of feeding it back into the grid.
The trickier proposition is generating and storing enough extra solar electricity in the summer when solar power generation is highest to cover your future needs in the winter, when solar potential is at its lowest. According to 2021 EnergySage Marketplace data, the average solar shopper offsets approximately 97 percent of their annual electricity use with solar – a significant amount, but not enough to go truly “off the grid.”
Preventing total power loss in the event of a winter snowstorm or an extended period of overcast days would require a lot of storage capacity, a very large solar panel system, and a significant financial investment to install. While it is technically feasible to go off the grid with solar batteries, it’s rarely cost-effective when compared to the benefits of staying grid-tied.
Can you go off-grid with your solar panels?
Grid-tied solar is the best option for many homeowners, but there are plenty of situations where taking your home off the grid with a solar battery backup makes sense. In some places, particularly in remote areas, off-grid solar battery systems are the best (or even the only) option.There are a few criteria your property should meet to be a good fit for off-grid solar: first and foremost, you need to have very low electricity demand. If you construct a net zero energy home or conduct major home energy efficiency retrofits on your existing home, powering your property with off-grid solar-plus-storage can be a feasible option. You also need to have the financial capacity to invest in a solar battery backup, which will add thousands of dollars to your solar installation.