What Are Grid-Tie and Off-Grid Systems?
Choosing between grid-tie and off-grid systems depends on factors such as location, energy needs, upfront costs, and energy independence goals. Each system has its advantages and considerations, making it important to evaluate your specific circumstances and goals when deciding which solar solution is best for you.
What Are Grid-Tie and Off-Grid Systems?
Choosing between grid-tie and off-grid systems depends on factors such as location, energy needs, upfront costs, and energy independence goals. Each system has its advantages and considerations, making it important to evaluate your specific circumstances and goals when deciding which solar solution is best for you.
Grid-Tie Solar Power Systems
If you’re considering going off-grid to eliminate utility bills but are currently connected to the grid, we strongly advise against it.
A more cost-effective option is to stay connected and install a grid-tie system. This setup allows you to generate your own power, similar to an off-grid system, but with a significant advantage: any surplus electricity you produce can be fed back into the utility grid.
This means you can literally “spin your electric meter backwards,” potentially reducing your energy costs even further.
Modern solar systems are highly efficient, typically around 95%, ensuring that almost all the power generated is used in your home, with any surplus being sent back to the grid.
When you need more power than your solar panels are producing, it’s readily available without needing to rely on a generator. Think of the grid like a never-ending battery—you can add as much power as you generate and draw out as much as you need.
Grid connected homes can benefit from having a backup power system. When a power failure occurs, the inverter will automatically detect it and instantly switch to the backup power stored in the battery bank. When the grid power comes back on, the batteries will then be recharged and ready for the next power failure. Imagine being the only home on the block with power.
Even better news: A solar electric system can last upwards of 30 years with minimal maintenance. Installing such a system can also increase the value of your home if you decide to sell.
As for the payback: The cost of solar panels (PV) has dropped significantly, making it possible to recoup your investment in as little as 8 years, depending on factors like system size, southern exposure, and utility rate increases. Utility billing cycles typically reconcile annually, which affects how quickly you see returns on your investment.
Off-Grid Solar Power Systems
If you’re currently not connected to the utility grid and weighing your options between bringing in power or going with an Off-Grid System, several factors come into play.
Bringing in power can be costly, with pole installation averaging between $4,000 to $7,000 per pole, and typically requiring 10 to 12 poles per kilometer. It’s important to measure the distance and crunch the numbers. We recommend getting a quote from a local utility installer to assess the full cost.
Alternatively, depending on your distance from power, lifestyle, and power needs, an Off-Grid System could be a practical solution. It’s more cost-effective and quieter than relying on a generator as your main power source. Typically, an Off-Grid Solar PV System pays for itself in 3 to 5 years compared to the ongoing expenses and environmental impact of running a generator for extended periods.
The outdated notion that living “off the grid” means constant generator noise or sacrificing modern comforts is no longer true. Our off-grid systems range from basic lighting setups to powering full-time commercial lodges.
Most systems use solar power systems, however a micro-hydro generator, and/or a fuel generator can also be incorporated into our systems.
The savings from not running gas or diesel generators around the clock justify the initial investment, alongside the environmental benefits of quieter, maintenance-free solar and inverter power systems.
We also offer installation services and options for hydro systems where natural resources permit.