There are lots more questions than the difference between off-grid and on-grid solar energy you likely have if you are interested in installing a solar energy system. Don’t worry, though. Installing a solar energy system doesn’t have to be as complicated as you may fear. We’re here to make it as easy as possible.
Solar energy is an affordable, efficient, and environmentally friendly option that allows people to energize their homes in exciting ways. If you’re looking for solar energy in Twentynine Palms, California, or the surrounding areas, we can help you with your solar system. But before you have your solar energy system, you have to make some crucial decisions, such as whether you prefer on-grid or off-grid solar energy.
What Is Off-Grid Solar Energy?
Off-grid solar energy does not connect to the energy grid, which means that you do not connect to your utility company’s power system. This option is good for people who want to be energy independent and don’t want to rely on a utility company’s support. Off-grid uses a battery to store energy.
What Is On-Grid Solar Energy?
On-grid systems are the more popular choice of solar power system because you can rest assured that you will still have power even if you have any issues with your solar system. When you are on-grid, you are connected to the utility company’s energy grid, which makes you connected to a system and not so energy independent. The grid stores energy for you to use.
SOLAR Major Differences between On-Grid and Off-Grid Solar System
The major differences between an on-grid and off-grid solar power system can help you determine what’s right for you.
Grid Downages
Downages are another concern that people have when they are choosing to be off-grid or on-grid. When your grid is down when you are off-grid, you don’t have the backup of the grid’s energy or support to get your power running again. However, off-grid people also have some advantages. For example, solar systems often work well during storms or other conditions that knock out grid power. If you are connected to a grid, your power will go out when the grid goes down. Although, you can choose to have battery backup power.
Accessing Electricity
One of the major differences between the types of solar energy systems is the access to electricity you will have. To access power, you rely on the sun and your batteries to get energy when you are off-grid. When you are on-grid, you rely on the power grid for your energy. You can get energy whether you make enough from solar power or not.
Excess Production
If you are making more power than you need, there will be different results when you are on-grid versus off-grid. When you have an off-grid system, the extra energy goes to batteries, but you can only store as much energy as you have batteries. With net metering for on-grid systems, you get credits from the energy company that you can use if you have downages to pay some of your costs.
Billing
There are also different billing systems when you are off-grid versus on-grid.
On-grid power systems require you to pay for whatever energy you don’t make from your solar system, and they also include service and delivery charges, so you do have to pay a good amount when you are on-grid.
When you are off-grid, you don’t have to pay electricity bills; however, maintenance and paying for batteries and other equipment is more expensive when you are off-grid.
Wonder Electric Can Offer Solar Energy Solutions
If you have concerns about what solar system is right for you, Wonder Electric can help you make the right decisions for your needs, and we can give you the full range of services you need to start using solar energy. Solar energy is an investment into your future, and we want to help you start investing today.