Grid-tied systems are solar power setups that are connected to the electricity grid and work without any battery backup equipment. A grid-tied system uses solar panels to generate electricity from sunlight. Excess power is exported to the utility grid in some countries, and similarly, when the household requires more power, those needs are met by imports from the grid.
How grid-tied systems are different from other systems
- They use grid-tie inverters: Grid-tied solar systems require an inverter that can communicate with the grid; these are known as grid-tie inverters. The grid-tie inverter enables homes to not just import power from the utility, but the export excess power to the utility as well in some countries.
- No battery storage: They don’t include any form of energy storage to store solar power. This makes grid-tied solar systems simpler to install, and cheaper.
Advantages
- The biggest advantage of grid-tied solar systems is that they are much cheaper than other types of solar systems.
- Their lower upfront cost means higher monthly savings, a higher return on investment (ROI), and the shortest payback period.
Disadvantages
- No back up power incase of a black out
- Loads can only be powered when it is sunny
Key Components
- Solar Panels
- Grid tied inverters
- Racking and mounting
- Wiring
Applications
- Suitable for homes or businesses with constant high day time electricity consumption rates like supermarkets, schools, hospitals, production houses, offices.
