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What are Off-Grid and Grid-Tie Solar power systems?
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A 'Grid -Tie' system is one which is directly connected with the commercial power lines. There are normally no batteries to store power for cloudy days in a grid-tie system. The advantage is that you don't need to buy batteries. the dis-advantage is that your system will be shut down during general power outages and you will still need a generator for emergency power. Grid-tie systems 'spin the meter backwards' during the day and feed power into the commercial power system. In the evening, you draw power from the power lines as usual.
Thus, you only pay for the differential between what you made during the day and what you used at night.
Grid-tie system require a NABCEP certified installer and inspection by the power company before use.
Thus, you only pay for the differential between what you made during the day and what you used at night.
Grid-tie system require a NABCEP certified installer and inspection by the power company before use.
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With an off-grid battery-based system, you are autonomous from the commercial power lines. Your system charges a bank of batteries during the day and you use that power at night. Homeowners are allowed to do electrical work on their own homes in most jurisdictions. Thus, you could build an off-grid system without an electrical inspection in most areas. As well, you can build any size off-grid system. You might build one only to power your freezers... or power a weekender cabin. You can also build portable off-grid systems on a trailer.
The downside to off-grid is that you need to buy batteries every 10 years or so. If you don't use no-maintenance batteries, you'll also need to keep them topped-off - so there is a little maintenance involved.
The downside to off-grid is that you need to buy batteries every 10 years or so. If you don't use no-maintenance batteries, you'll also need to keep them topped-off - so there is a little maintenance involved.
People who just want to cut their electrical bill often opt for grid-tie systems. Those who want to go 'off-grid' and be totally self-sufficient opt for off-grid battery-based systems. Federal tax incentives give credit for both types. The tax credit is only for the actual hardware and not labor. Since grid-tie systems normally require a professional installer, a much smaller parts of your investment qualifies for the tax credit with grid-tie.