Types of Solar Power Systems
There are three different types of solar power systems that happen to be popular on the market – Grid-Tie without battery storage, Grid-Tie with battery storage, and Off-Grid. All three of these solar power systems are used world-wide by many.
The first solar power system is the Grid Tie without battery storage, which has a large solar panel array and is connected to the Grid. Initially the setup and installation are simple and the power production is used as needed. Excess solar power goes back to the grid and your meters go backwards. The Grid Tie without battery storage system has limits though: When the area has a black out, this system will leave you in the dark as you cannot access the solar power array output when the grid is down. While you are not “Energy Independent,” with this system, energy efficiency is guaranteed by the Grid Tie as you are only use the utility company’s power when you aren’t generating enough of your own.
A second type of solar power system, the Grid-Tie with battery storage, offers a solar panel system with a battery bank and an inverter. Unlike the Grid-Tie with no battery storage, this system allows one to have electricity (at least temporarily) even if the utility company has a blackout. After the power returns to the utility company, than you go back to use a combination of the solar and grid power. The addition of a battery bank, inverter and other hardware add to the cost of this system.
Finally, the Off-Grid system is ideal if you are traveling or live in a RV. Gas, diesel and wind generators are often seen in the Off-Grid systems for additional power generation. With an Off-Grid system, when the grid goes down, you do not. You are independent. This type of system is also good for homeowners in remote areas, and for those in areas of the world where the energy infrastructure is unreliable or relatively undeveloped. There are, however, more costs involved than with the Grid Tie system. A typical Off-Grid system will have not only a solar PV array, a battery bank, and an inverter, but also a number of other components that are necessary for system control, monitoring and safety.
