One word for people who think they can save money by going off grid – batteries. With grid-tie solar, you simply make electricity when the sun is shining, and sell any excess back to the electric company, who then sells it to your neighbors.
If you’re thinking about long term sustainability and energy efficiency – you’ll want to explore the ins and outs of renewable energy system. If you’re considering solar, you next need to decide between the three types of solar systems: stand-alone, grid-tied or hybrid. Choosing the right system means minimising power costs and good return on your investment in the long run.
What is off grid inverter?
Off grid inverter is designed to work alone and cannot synchronise with the grid. An off-grid solar system is a solar installation that isn’t connected to the utility grid. This means you have to rely on your solar panels to generate all your power, all the time.
With stand-alone power system, solar batteries are necessary for storing energy. It’s also smart to budget for a backup generator for extended periods of bad weather in case solar battery storage runs out.
Benefits from off grid
- You’ll have complete energy independence. No grid connection means freeing yourself from the risk of power outages or fluctuating power costs. As you’re a producer of your own power you get a great amount of freedom, as long as your energy needs are low.
- It can be the most eco-friendly and sustainable home energy setup. Without the grid, you can minimise your carbon footprint. Your system won’t contribute to water pollution and greenhouse gases (except rarely, when you might depend on a generator).
- Allows you to store excess solar or low cost (off-peak) electricity.
- Reduces power consumption from the grid (reduced demand).
The cons of going stand-alone
- There’s no ‘security’ from using the grid as backup. You can’t rely on grid power during bad weather or if your system needs servicing.
- You’ll need more panels and a large capacity batteries if you intend to power an entire home. Batteries and generators are important to have, but they represent higher initial costs. Batteries have limited lifespans and can require maintenance, so those expenses factor in as well.
- You’ll have to tightly monitor your energy usage and lifestyle. With stand-alone solar, you must use power sparingly. This might require big lifestyle changes, such as using most of your power in the daytime or tightly restricting night-time activities.
What is mppt hybrid inverter?
A Hybrid inverter is an intelligent inverter that enables the storage of excess solar energy in a battery system for self-use. Hybrid inverters function like a common grid-tie solar inverter but can generally operate in one of several different modes depending on the application. It includes battery backup mode which provides a limited level of backup power in the event of a blackout. Most hybrid inverters can also operate without a battery and function just like a grid-tie solar inverter by exporting excess solar energy to the utility grid.
A hybrid solar system is grid-tied with battery storage. They come with a special ‘smart’ inverter that can transmit direct current (DC) power to and from your batteries, and channel alternating current (AC) power between the grid and your home when necessary.
Hybrid systems allow for full control over your power, while keeping you grid-connected in case of emergency.
Key benefits of hybrid systems
Here are some of the perks of a hybrid solar system:
- You’ll use less grid electricity than you would with a traditional grid-tied system. While hybrid setups are grid-tied, they come with solar battery storage, which means you can maximise consumption of the power generated from the panels.
- A hybrid system is possibly the most expandable, future-ready home solar setup. With some customisable hybrid systems, you can expand capacity by buying more panels or batteries. Hybrid systems may also be compatible with newer solar technologies — for example, an electric vehicle (EV) might function as one of the ‘batteries’ in a hybrid setup.
- For even lower costs, you can use a power management system. These technologies can automatically optimise your power usage. (For example, larger appliances like dishwashers can be switched on during peak daylight hours.)
The cons of hybrid solar systems
- There’s a lot to install upfront, making the initial investment bigger. While you can budget for a smaller battery bank than with an off-grid setup, the cost still needs some thought. Specialised equipment, such as a smart hybrid inverter, adds to the price tag.
- Lots of space might be necessary for the required parts. With grid access, you’re likely not in an isolated rural area – even so, you’ll need space for hybrid solar equipment, including the battery bank and inverters.
When you’re completely stand-alone, you will only have a backup battery to maintain your energy usage, as opposed to a hybrid solar system that can draw power from the battery or the grid.
An off-grid solar system might be tempting if you want to be completely in charge of your power generation, but you will need to be very careful with energy management and your power consumption to make sure that your backup battery never runs out.
With a hybrid solar energy system, should you overuse your stored battery power or there is inclement weather for a few days and your solar panels do not get enough energy, the grid connection will help provide power until you can begin generating your own again.
Without this backup option, you could find yourself without power during a snowstorm or hurricane.
Related Solar Inverter
Stand-alone Solar System FAQ
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How big of a solar system do I need to go stand-alone?The average stand-alone home usually requires about 5 Kw (or 5000 Watts) of power to rely entirely on its own energy production. Solar panels come in various forms, shapes and sizes.
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Is a stand-alone solar system worth it?
Going off-grid makes financial sense in the long run.
You can recoup your initial investment on solar panels in as little as 3-5 years. The investment on the battery systems that will be used to store solar energy will take longer to recoup, though; the payback periods for battery systems usually last 10 years. -
Which is better on grid or off-grid solar?
Being grid-tied is beneficial because you don’t have to buy an expensive battery back-up system to store any excess energy. Being stand-alone means you are not connected in any way to your grid’s power system or utility company. This is appealing because you are 100% self-sustaining your energy use.
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