Beyond cost and location, the choice to keep a grid connection or sever the grid cord depends on your own energy and environmental goals as well as some site-specific parameters. Hybrid systems fall between these two in terms of cost and offer the most flexibility for homeowners wanting to get good returns on energy sent back to the grid. Off-grid systems have the added cost of batteries and/or gas generators, so these systems are most popular for remote locations where the cost of extending power lines becomes a key factor. Grid-tied systems are the least expensive and most popular option for homeowners who live in close proximity to the power grid. This third option, called a hybrid system, has an energy storage component, like most off-grid systems, but maintains a connection to the power grid. There is also a middle ground between grid-tied and off-grid. There is no tie-in to the utility lines, so all of the power for your home must come from your panels, energy they’ve stored in batteries, or additional power generators. An off-grid solar power system is just that. If your home’s electricity needs are beyond the production of your solar panels, then the power grid covers the difference. Grid-tied solar power systems mean that your home is still connected to the local power grid. Whether you are committed to adding solar to your home or just beginning to explore the idea, perhaps the earliest and most important choice to make in designing a solar power system is whether your system is grid-tied or off-grid.
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