Solar energy can be a great investment for your home because it will allow you to save money on your utility bills, but not all solar systems are the same in terms of design and function. You have two options to consider when you’re purchasing a solar system. You can go with a grid-tied system, or you can have them run off-grid. Grid-tied systems are connected to an existing power grid, while off-grid panels are not.

If you want to pick the right system, you need to understand what you want to accomplish with your solar system. The benefits of having an off-grid solar system can make it a dream for some people. But if you’re thinking about cutting yourself off from the grid, you also need to think about the drawbacks.

The Difference Between Grid-Tied and Off-Grid Solar Panels

Most rooftop solar panels are grid-tied, so they’re going to be connected to the electrical grid. You’ll be able to pull electricity from the grid when your solar panels aren’t producing enough energy. This is important during the nighttime hours, especially if you don’t have battery storage. With a grid-tied system, you’ll still have a utility company and get an electric bill every month, but it will be much lower than it would be if you didn’t have solar panels.

Off-grid solar systems aren’t tied to the grid, so they will produce all of the electricity a home uses. But because they don’t produce electricity at night, off-grid systems will need to have large battery storage banks. Most of them will also have backup generators that can be used for additional power.

The Benefits of an Off-Grid Solar System

Whether you want to use it in a big city or a small town, off-grid solar panels can come with a number of benefits. Some of them include the following:

• No electric bill — You’ll never have an electric bill with an off-grid solar system.
• Self-sufficiency — Off-grid solar systems will put you in complete control of your own power, so you don’t have to rely on outside sources.
• No blackouts — Off-grid solar panels aren’t affected by grid outages.
• Power in rural areas — Off-grid solar systems make it easier to get reliable power in rural areas that are out of reach for the electrical grid.
• Tax credit — Off-grid solar panels are eligible for a 30% federal tax credit.

Be sure to speak to a professional to find out more about the benefits of going off-grid with your solar panels.

The Drawbacks of an Off-Grid Solar System

Despite all the benefits of having off-grid solar panels, they do have some drawbacks that you should take into consideration. Off-grid solar systems will cost more to install than grid-tied units, because they’re more complex and require a lot more battery storage. Another drawback to an off-grid system is that you’ll be on your own when it comes to power generation, which can be a drawback when a problem comes up. If something goes wrong, you won’t have any power until the issue has been resolved.

When It’s Worth it to Get Off-Grid Solar Panels

An off-grid solar installation may be worth it for some people, while a grid-tied system may make more sense for others. In the end, it’s all about your specific goals. If you want to be free from the electrical grid and be in complete control of your own energy production, an off-grid solar system will be worth the cost.

Off-grid solar is also a good option for people who live in rural areas where grid access may not be available. It’s expensive to bring utility lines to a rural property, so an off-grid system would be more affordable than paying to install grid service. If you have grid access and want to save money on your electric bill, a grid-tied system will probably be the better choice. But you want to find a system that makes sense for your specific situation.

You can also go with a hybrid system, which will be tied to the grid but will also have a battery bank that can be used to store excess electricity. The added cost of battery storage will make it more expensive to install, but it will allow you to keep your lights on when the grid goes down. It can also reduce demand charges for businesses.

If you want to find out if an off-grid system is the right choice for you and are looking for one of the best places to get solar panels in Corpus Christi, be sure to reach out to Solar Power Integrator.