Types of Solar Systems

Mounting Types and Electric Utility Connection Types

There are some basic classes of solar systems: Roof Mounted (most typical), Ground Mounted (where there is available land area), Pole Mounted (usually a smaller, device specific application like a spa, pool, etc.

The types of system installations may be any of the above which are then classified by the electrical utility connection catagory: Grid-Tied (most typical), Battery-Back Up, and Off-Grid.

Grid-tied has a connection to the electrical grid. Why this is most popular is that it provides a method to do "net metering". Net metering is the ability to feed energy back to the grid when your solar system produces too much. CA electric utilities give you "credit" for this surplus electricity but zero the account balance at the end of the year. NOTE: This is the overwhelming majority of solar systems installed because of the lower cost and greater flexibility.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grid-tied with Battery Backup - The difference between this system and the one above is that there are storage batteries which enable energy to be used whenever the solar system is not providing electricity. Net metering is still possible if the system is sized to generate excess capacity and the battery banks are all fully-charged. It is still Grid-tied.

Off-Grid systems are exactly that, stand alone, independent systems NOT tied to the electrical grid. That means that you must rely on your solar system, battery backup/storage, and any other electrical generation devices like wind power or fossil fuel generators to provide 100% of your electrical power ALL of the time. It's great for some folks but not for most.

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