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What’s the difference between on-grid and off-grid operation?

On-Grid versus Off-Grid Solar energy system

On-Grid Solar System (Grid-Tied)

  • Connection: An on-grid system is directly connected to the local utility grid. 

  • Energy Management:

    • During the day, solar panels generate electricity to power your home.

    • Any excess power that you don't use is automatically exported to the grid, often earning you credits through a program called net metering or a feed-in tariff.

    • When your solar panels aren't producing enough power (e.g., at night, on cloudy days), your home simply pulls electricity from the grid as needed. 

       

  • Battery Use: Batteries are optional for on-grid systems. When included, they provide backup power during an outage or allow you to use your stored solar energy during peak hours to save money. Without a battery, the system will shut down during a grid outage for safety reasons. 

  • Pros: Lower initial cost (no expensive battery bank required), a reliable backup source of power from the grid, and the potential to earn credits for excess energy. 

  • Cons: No power during a grid outage (unless you have a battery), and you remain dependent on the utility company. 

 

Off-Grid Solar System

 

  • Connection: An off-grid system is completely independent of the public electricity grid. It is a self-sufficient, standalone power source. 

  • Energy Management:

    • All electricity generated by the solar panels is used to power the home or is stored in a battery bank.

    • There is no grid to export excess power to, so all surplus energy must be stored in batteries for later use. 

    • During the night or on cloudy days, the home runs exclusively on the energy stored in the batteries.

       

       

  • Battery Use: A battery bank is mandatory for an off-grid system. It is the only source of power when the sun isn't shining. The battery bank must be sized large enough to meet your energy needs for several days in a row without sun.

  • Pros: Complete energy independence from the utility, no electricity bills, and guaranteed power during a grid outage.

  • Cons: Significantly higher initial cost due to the large battery bank and associated equipment, more complex design and maintenance, and a need to manage energy consumption carefully to avoid running out of power. 

     

In summary, the key difference is reliance on the grid. An on-grid system uses the grid as its "battery" and backup, while an off-grid system relies solely on its own batteries and a sufficient solar array to achieve total energy independence.