off-grid solar system

What Is A Hybrid Solar Energy System?

When you decide to go solar, you will have to choose between being “off-grid,” meaning you will generate all of your own power, and will need a battery backup to store extra energy, or “grid-tied,” meaning you will be connected to your local power grid and will still get some of your energy from it. But there is also a third option. A hybrid solar energy system is tied to the grid, but also allows you to have a backup battery system to store any excess power.

white home with solar panels on the roof.

With a system like this, the sun’s energy that your solar panels absorb will either be used to power your home or, if you don’t need it at that moment, will be stored in your battery or returned to the grid. You can choose where to send the excess energy, and can base your decision on peak pricing so that you will not have to pull any energy from the grid when energy prices are at their highest.

Having a battery backup will allow you to use your stored power during a power outage, even when you cannot access energy from the grid. These systems cost, on average, approximately $11,000 after the federal tax credit is applied. The price will vary depending on the state you live in, as well as on any incentives and rebates from the solar company you choose.

It is important to be aware that solar batteries last anywhere from 7-15 years, which means you might need to replace your battery at some point. New batteries can cost you around $8,000 or more. But you can extend the life of your batteries by properly maintaining them and cleaning them often.

Advantages Of Using A Hybrid Solar Energy System

3 solar batteries mounted on a wall next to each other.

As mentioned, having a hybrid solar power system will allow you to store any extra power in a battery backup and use it at another time. The batteries will provide power to your home when your solar panels are not producing energy, such as at night or on cloudy days. But the advantage of a hybrid system is that you will not be completely off-grid, so if you use up all the energy stored in your batteries, you will still have the grid to fall back on until you can generate more power.

Choosing a hybrid solar power system will save you hundreds of dollars throughout the year by reducing your electric bills, and will allow you to be in control of your power supply, while still being able to access the grid. You will never be out of power with a hybrid system, unlike with an off-grid system.

Is A Hybrid Solar Power System Right For You?

Solar energy systems are a great option to power your home, and choosing a hybrid system will ensure that you will never run out of power. If you are interested in learning more about hybrid systems or are interested in purchasing one, Go Solar Energy can help. Our agents work with the top-rated companies in the nation and can answer any questions you have, while guiding you through the process. Get free instant quotes by entering your zip code in the bar on our homepage, or to speak directly with one of our licensed agents, call 888-290-3112.

Once you’ve made the decision to invest in a solar energy system, you still have another decision to make: should you be grid-tied or go off-grid? The difference between the two is in where you store the energy that you generate. An off-grid system is entirely self-sufficient; your solar energy system will produce all of your energy on site. A grid-tied system is attached to the power grid, which will provide your home or business with electricity if your panels are not able to produce enough power. Grid-tied solar is the preferred type of solar system for most properties because it’s cheaper, but depending on your situation you might want to go off-grid.

Grid-Tied

With grid-tied solar energy systems, the energy that your system generates is sent to the utility grid. The energy you produce will be used to power your home first, and the excess will then be distributed to everyone in your area who is connected to your grid. You will also be able to use the energy stored in the grid to power your home at night when your solar panels are not generating any charge. You will receive credit for the energy that you generate, which you can use at any time. The pros of going grid-tied are:

brown bag with money symbol on it with money bills sticking out of it

It is less expensive because you will not not need a backup battery.
You’ll save money with the net metering program. Net metering is a billing mechanism that allows you to sell the excess energy you generate back to the grid.
It’s flexible: if you can’t install a solar system big enough to cover 100% of your energy use, being tied to the grid will give you access to electricity when you need it.
In some areas, solar renewable energy credits will allow you to earn extra income by selling the SRECs your system produces.

The only downside to being grid-tied is the same downside that any home faces: if the grid goes down, then so will your system and your electricity, and it will not turn back on until power is restored to the grid.

Off-Grid

Off-grid solar energy systems have no access to the utility grid whatsoever. Your home or business will generate its own electricity, and you will need a way to store energy for nights and cloudy days. This means you’ll need a “battery bank,” or batteries that will store any extra energy produced. Unfortunately, batteries are the most expensive part of this type of solar system, accounting for about 30-40% of the cost of the system. The pros of going off-grid are:

person in a suit pressing on a blue house with a light bulb in the middle of it

You are completely independent from the grid. If there is a blackout and the local grid has no power, you won’t have to worry about losing power as well. You will still have access to the energy that is stored in your batteries.
If you live in a remote location where installing traditional power poles is difficult and expensive, you will have more reliable access to electricity.
You produce all of your own power supply, so you’ll be able to see how much power you use in a day and will be able to take better control of your energy consumption.

The biggest downside to going off-grid is the need to have batteries for backup energy on days when there is no direct sunlight reaching your solar panels. These batteries are expensive and are costly to replace, which you will need to do every 5 to 6 years.

What’s Best For You?

You’ll have to weigh many factors when choosing whether to go off-grid or grid-tied. Take into consideration things like how far you live from a grid, what size your home is, and how much energy you consume. Most people end up buying a grid-tied solar system because these systems provide security and predictability at an affordable price. If you are in an isolated area, though, an off-grid solar system might be a better option.
If you would like to learn more about grid-tied and off-grid solar, and which system would be best for you, speak to a Go Solar Energy agent. Our agents are highly knowledgeable about all types of solar energy systems and can answer any questions you have, as well as find the perfect system for you. To speak to an agent directly, call (888) 290-3112, or to get instant quotes on different plans in your area, enter your zip code on our homepage.