Off the Grid vs. Grid-tied
The costs and benefits of off-grid and grid-tied solar solutions
A common question for homeowners and businesses considering solar solutions is whether to go completely off the grid. The answer depends on your budget and needs.
Off-grid system
With an off-grid system, you will not be reliant on a power supplier or the grid for your energy needs. To produce your own electricity, you will need solar panels able to produce low-voltage electricity from sunlight. On average, South Africa enjoys about four to six hours of sunlight a day which could keep a solar system charged.
The most important piece of equipment for an off-grid system is the inverter which converts the low voltage received from the panels to high-voltage 230VA which can power your TV, fridge and keep on the lights. Inverters come in various shapes and sizes, but make sure that any inverter you use has been approved by your local municipality.
You would also need a battery, which comes in different sizes. Depending on your requirements, you could add multiple batteries to your inverter to store energy for use when there is no sunlight.
Grid-tied system
This system allows you to remain connected to the grid, so that you can source electricity when your solar system is unable to meet your needs. Many consumers start with a build-to-grow system which includes solar panels and an inverter that can supply some solar energy, or an inverter and a battery so that they can keep the lights on during load shedding.
This is probably the more cost-effective way of introducing solar into your home or business, as it will allow you to save on your monthly electricity bill until you are able to move completely off the grid. “It’s best to calculate your weekly peak hour usage and the cost of your electricity to work out which will work for you. SunLogic offers calculators that do this based on your monthly electricity bill.
Image Credit: https://stendysolar.co.nz/solar-energy-systems-work/