Solar energy rains down on you every day and provides an excellent source of renewable energy and it’s practically free! In 2021, the average price paid for electricity by U.S. customers rose at the fastest rate since 2008, increasing 4.3% from 2020, and many homeowners are turning to cleaner, cost-effective energy solutions. 

However, it is important to understand what exactly makes up a solar power system, and what works for you. Join us to learn about the basics of solar energy, starting with a breakdown of system types. Let’s discuss one of the most important pieces of a solar power system, the inverter. In a photovoltaic (PV) circuit, there are three types of inverters, which determine the kind of system: off-grid, grid-tie, and hybrid.

Off-Grid

An off-grid inverter primarily uses power from a battery bank to supply power to alternating current (AC) Loads. The battery bank is charged through a charge controller, which is supplied with power via PV modules. Some off-grid inverters(all-in-ones) have charge controllers built into them, allowing the inverter to power loads via PV modules and battery banks.

• Does not backfeed the grid.
• Support battery backup.
• Can support A/C bypass.

Grid-Tie

A grid-tie inverter primarily uses PV power to sell power back to the grid(utility). A grid-tie inverter takes power produced from a PV array, which is direct current (DC), and inverts it into usable AC power.

• Can backfeed(sell back to) the grid to offset power bills.
• Do not support battery backup
• Will not produce power without the grid.

Hybrid

A hybrid system is a combination of both off-grid and grid-tie inverters. This is due to a hybrid being able to sell power back to the grid and use battery backup in the event of a power outage.

• Can backfeed the grid.
• Support battery backup.
• Can still produce power without the grid.

Which will work best for me?

To determine which system suits you, we need to establish your goals. Do you intend to continue doing business with your utility company and benefit from their specific net metering policy, or do you want to become independent of the utility company and the grid? How you answer these types of questions will determine what system will work best for you.

At Signature Solar, we offer a wide array of grid-tie, off-grid, and hybrid systems including the full list of equipment you need to get started. We also offer the knowledge to help you achieve your solar goals.

What are you waiting for? Shop for your system now or contact our Design Team to help determine what works best for your needs.

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