Solar energy is an infinitely renewable resource that uses the sun’s rays to generate electricity. By going solar at home, you can reduce your energy costs and also lower your dependence on fossil fuels.
Types of solar systems
Grid-tied PV systems
A grid-tied system is the most common and least expensive of all residential solar systems. It allows you to use your own solar-generated electricity to save energy and reduce costs. At times when the PV system isn’t producing electricity, such as at night, electricity is provided by the local utility company’s grid.
One of the benefits of a grid-tied system is that any excess electricity produced by your solar system can be fed back to the grid through a process known as net-metering. With net-metering, which is available in our local area, when you use electricity from the grid your meter spins forward. The less electricity you use from off the grid, the slower your meter spins. Even better, when you are feeding electricity back to the grid, your meter spins backwards!
* It should be noted that the large rebates from government and utility companies that can make installing a solar system so much more affordable usually aren’t available unless your system is grid-tied.
Stand-alone PV systems
Stand-alone PV systems, also called off-the-grid or off-grid, operate independently from the utility grid, providing a portion of the electricity needed in the home. . However, for homes located in remote areas without utility service, or where installing power lines would be extremely costly, a stand-alone system is a good option.