Types Of Solar PV Systems

There are three basic types of solar PV systems; the grid-tied system, the grid-tied system with battery back-up, and the off-grid system. Let’s take a look at each one of them;

Grid-Tied System

This is one of the most common types of solar PV systems you will find in multiple homes. They use standard grid-tied inverters. They also do not have any battery storage. If you already have the grid and are just looking to add solar to your home, then you might want to choose this as your best option. 

Grid-tied systems are qualified and approved by the state and the federal incentives. They are simple, cost-effective, and efficient. This is mainly because they just have a few components. The main advantage of these systems is that they help you lower the energy bills and also benefit from solar incentives.

The major disadvantage of this system is that it doesn’t store energy for when there is a blackout. This means that if you have a power outage in your area, you are completely out of power. However, if you want to add storage, you can also turn to the AC- coupled system. 

The Grid-Tied System With Battery Backup

The next common type of solar PV system is the grid-tied system with battery backup. They are also commonly referred to as grid-hybrid systems. If you already have a grid but are looking to have battery backup, then this is your best option. 

This is best for people with common power outages in their areas. They serve the best because, unlike the grid-tied system, you still have energy even if there is a power outage. And, you also still get to enjoy the benefits from the state and federal incentives. 

When it comes to cost, you best be prepared to invest a little more if you choose this system than if you had chosen the grid-tied. But it has great value for its price; at least you know you won’t have to worry when the power is out. The batteries would also need charge controllers to protect them.

Off-grid System

If you can’t easily connect to the grid, then the off-grid system would be your best bet. One of the main reasons why you might not easily access the grid is because of the geographical location. Sometimes because bringing in the power supply could be costly.

These systems contain multiple sources of charging like generators, wind, and solar. This is because it is your only source of energy. That is why environmental climate change like wind and rain is a major determinant when it comes to the design of your system. 

One of the disadvantages of an off-grid system is that it is not always that you qualify to reap the benefits of incentive programs. You are also in to design your own system to ensure it covers all your energy loads. These are more expensive compared to grid-tied systems and have more components as well. 

While looking at the different types of solar systems, you might want to put other things into consideration. As much as the cost matters, you also want to choose other things like quality, durability, installation, and much more into thoughts. You also want to determine your geographical location, landscape, and weather changes all-round-year.