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Resources & Education

Your ultimate guide to understanding solar and battery systems. Empower yourself with the knowledge to make confident decisions.

Grid-Tied System

The simplest setup. Your solar panels are connected to the public utility grid.

Solar Panels
DC Power
Inverter
Inverter
AC Power
Home
Home
Excess Power Out / Power In
Utility Grid
Inverter
AC Power (Bi-directional)
Utility Grid

Pros

  • Lowest initial cost.
  • Sell excess power back to the utility (net metering).
  • Simple and low maintenance.

Cons

  • No backup power during a grid outage.
  • Dependent on utility rates and policies.

Grid-Tied with Storage (Hybrid)

The best of both worlds. A grid-tied system with a battery for backup power.

Solar Panels
DC
Hybrid Inverter
Hybrid Inverter
AC
Home
Hybrid Inverter
DC (Charge/Discharge)
Battery
Hybrid Inverter
AC (Bi-directional)
Utility Grid

Pros

  • Power during grid outages.
  • Store cheap solar energy for use during expensive peak hours.
  • Increased energy independence.

Cons

  • Higher cost due to battery.
  • More complex installation.

Off-Grid System

Complete energy independence. Not connected to the utility grid.

Solar Panels
DC
Charge Controller
Charge Controller
DC (Charge)
Battery Bank
Battery Bank
DC
Off-Grid Inverter
Off-Grid Inverter
AC
Home

Pros

  • Total energy independence, no electricity bills.
  • Works in remote locations without grid access.
  • Immune to grid failures.

Cons

  • Highest initial cost.
  • System must be carefully sized to meet all energy needs.
  • Requires significant battery storage and a backup generator is often recommended.