When you are considering solar energy for your home or business, it might feel like solar has a language of its own – one in which you have to become fluent to understand your options. While there are certainly more than a few key terms to master (see our glossary of alternative energy terms), you Contact online >>
When you are considering solar energy for your home or business, it might feel like solar has a language of its own – one in which you have to become fluent to understand your options. While there are certainly more than a few key terms to master (see our glossary of alternative energy terms), you can navigate your solar project easily with the right guide.
As part of our library of solar energy resources and education, we''ve put together a handy guide that breaks down one of the most popular types of solar panel systems in the U.S., covering the components of grid-tied solar systems.
A grid-tied solar system is a solar energy setup that maintains a connection to the electricity grid. These systems generate electricity from the sun, but rather than storing excess energy in batteries for backup power, they export it to the larger utility grid. If the home or business requires more power than what is available from the solar panels, the power is imported from the utility grid.
Grid-tie systems are inherently simpler than both grid-tie systems with battery backup and stand-alone solar systems (off-grid solar systems). Some critical differences between grid-tied and other solar systems are:
Another one of the many perks of a grid-tied solar system design is that it requires minimal equipment, easy and affordable to install. Your exact needs might vary based on your specific setup, property, and preferences, as with any solar solution. But in general, you''ll find that the components of a grid-tied solar system are straightforward.
When there is a power surplus in a grid-tied solar system, the extra power is exported to the utility grid. If your utility company allows "net metering" arrangements, you''ll receive utility bill credits for this power.
One of the most significant grid-tied solar system benefits is leveraging net metering. Because your connection to the grid is a two-way street, you can import energy – but you''ll also be able to export it.
Net metering is earning bill credits for excess solar energy exported from your solar panels to the utility grid. With net metering, many homeowners can significantly reduce their utility bills, and some even pay off their monthly charges altogether. Many electric utility companies support net metering, but some do not – so be sure to check with yours when planning and budgeting for your grid-tied solar system.
Solar newbies may not know about grid outages and the potential to take down your grid-tied solar system. In short, systems can not remain on during grid outages. This is to protect utility electrical workers from any unaccounted-for surges as they work to repair the outage. This helps owners of grid-tied solar systems avoid "anti-islanding" infractions. There are ways to keep necessary appliances like refrigerators and air conditioners powered up during grid outages, including having a backup generator ready to go or by adding battery backup to your grid-tied system.
In terms of weather, spring and fall are usually the more moderate times. Similarly, a grid-tied system''s energy imports and exports are fairly balanced. Because your home is less likely to need significant heating or cooling, and your system provides a steady amount of energy, your energy needs and supply will probably break even.
The weaker sunlight and shorter winter daylight hours mean that your solar energy system will likely be at its lowest solar output levels. At the same time, homes with electric heating demand a lot of energy. So, your grid-tied system will generally need to import more energy than it exports during winter.
Are you considering a DIY grid-tied solar system? Here in the altE Resources Library, you can find a wide variety of information on this topic and others. Check out our Solar Power System Components video series for more details about all the pieces and parts that make up a solar energy system.
If you''re ready to move forward and want help planning your system, submit a free grid-tied solar power system quote request with our free quote form. Or, if you''re ready to DIY your system, you can find all the components for complete grid-tied solar systems for sale through our website. Since 1999, we''ve provided our customers with direct access to the best equipment for DIY grid-tied solar system design and installation and a wide selection of other solar parts and kits.
So you''re thinking about moving to solar. But solar systems come in all shapes and sizes, with varying complexities, capacities, and capabilities. When choosing a system, one of the major decisions you''ll need to make relates to whether you want a grid-tied, off-grid, or hybrid solar system.
In this article, we take a closer look at the most popular type of solar system — the grid-tied solar system. We''ll look at how grid-tied solar systems differ from off-grid and hybrid systems, along with some of the key benefits to help you know which type is best for your home or business.
A grid-tied solar system is, as the name suggests, a solar energy system that is connected to the main electricity grid. They can operate without being connected to a solar battery, making them the most simple, cost-effective, and popular type of solar system.
Grid-tied solar systems are the simplest type of solar system, with different equipment and layout required compared with off-grid and hybrid solar systems. The basic premise of a grid-tied system is to connect a building to both the main electricity grid and a solar array, so power from either or both can be used.
As there is no energy storage equipment in a grid-tied system, any power generated by the solar panels that is not used immediately is automatically fed into the main grid. When energy generation from the panels is insufficient to match energy usage, the system automatically draws power from the main grid to make up the shortfall.
The main types of solar systems to choose from are grid-tied, off-grid, and hybrid. A grid-tied system is, as we''ve covered above, linked to both the solar panels and the main grid. This means that you can draw power from either the panels or the grid, and also automatically feed excess solar power into the grid. As such, different equipment is used to that used in off-grid systems.
Off-grid systems differ in that they are not linked to the main electricity grid. Instead, they operate as a closed system, making them ideal for areas that do not have grid access. To ensure reliable access to power, off-grid systems will generally also include a battery system and a backup generator.
About Grid tied solar power systems
As the photovoltaic (PV) industry continues to evolve, advancements in Grid tied solar power systems have become critical to optimizing the utilization of renewable energy sources. From innovative battery technologies to intelligent energy management systems, these solutions are transforming the way we store and distribute solar-generated electricity.
When you're looking for the latest and most efficient Grid tied solar power systems for your PV project, our website offers a comprehensive selection of cutting-edge products designed to meet your specific requirements. Whether you're a renewable energy developer, utility company, or commercial enterprise looking to reduce your carbon footprint, we have the solutions to help you harness the full potential of solar energy.
By interacting with our online customer service, you'll gain a deep understanding of the various Grid tied solar power systems featured in our extensive catalog, such as high-efficiency storage batteries and intelligent energy management systems, and how they work together to provide a stable and reliable power supply for your PV projects.
