What does mean by Off-Grid Solar Power System?

The solar power system is a complete setup ideal for home and commercial places, which helps in producing electricity by utilizing solar energy (sunlight). A solar power system is made up of solar panel (which absorbs sunlight), inverter (which converts DC electricity into AC), mounting structure (which holds the panels in place), batteries (helps to store the extra power generated), grid box and balance of systems (wires, nuts).

In other words, a solar power system is composed of numerous photovoltaic (PV) panels, inverter (a Dc to AC power converter), and a rack system that holds the PV panels in place (solar PV panels on the roofs of homes and businesses generate clean electricity by converting the energy in sunlight). Solar power system comes in 1 kW, 3kW, 5kW, 10kW, and several other capacities. It is a good choice for those who want to reduce their electric bills and their carbon footprint.

As the prices of electricity are rising, people across the world looking for renewable energy sources for their power, or electricity needs. Solar energy has now become a popular renewable energy source because of its cost-effective price and improving efficacies. And for this reason, the solar system for home has stepped forward in the market with its great features.

The on-grid solar system or Grid-tied solar system is a kind of solar system that generates current only when the utility power grid is available. In other words, the on-grid system is a solar system that generally works with the grid. Saving the electricity bill is the prime purpose of installing an on-grid solar system.

The on-grid solar power system consists of Solar Photovoltaic modules / Panels, DC-AC grid-tied solar Inverter and Installation Kit (includes mounting structures, ACDB, DCDB, A.C, D.C wire, Connectors, lighting arrestor, earthling cables). 

The foremost benefit of installing an on-grid solar system for home is a cost-effective solution, which helps to pay for such systems by offsetting utility bills in 3-8 yrs. In addition to this, there are some other advantages of the on-grid solar system, including:

• Zero electricity bills (consumer has to pay only for the surplus electricity he consumes because the solar power system is connected to the grid only).

• Easy maintenance (on-grid solar power system has the least number of parts along with simple installation or fitting).

• Passive income generation (with connection to the grid, the consumer can charge for the surplus electricity he has generated, which is not only beneficial in reducing your electricity bills but also helps to avail the cost benefits for the excess electricity generated).

• Provides you with at least 5 years' payback time and free electricity for the next 20 years.

Moreover, the on-grid solar system is simple enough that anyone can install it by himself. The on-grid solar system price is affordable that anyone can purchase it by investing at pocket-friendly prices. 

 

The off-grid solar system is a popular type of solar power system with backup, which works both day and night. During the day time, solar panel charges the battery to run the home appliances with the use of DC, and at night or cloudy weather days when the sunlight is not available, inverter runs your home appliances (Air Conditioners, Cooler, Television and submersible pump, etc.) using the battery power or AC current.

The off-grid solar system allows you to store your solar power in batteries for future use, especially when the power grid goes down or if you are not on the grid. Hybrid systems are capable of providing power to balance the grid power whenever the sun shines, which enable to send excess power to the grid for later use.

The utmost benefit of using an off-grid solar system is to provide power for your critical loads when the power grid becomes down. An off-grid system is more prevalent that comes with a power backup and works independently of the grid.

Benefits of using off-grid solar system:

• Works as a self-sustainable system that can work independently and not depending on the grid

• Helps in avoiding power outages, which may occur without any warning

• Helps in generating enough power that can be stored and used at night or when the power grid is down

• Reduces electricity costs (fossil fuels are still the world's primary energy source)

• Easier installation facilities

• Best alternative for remote areas where there is no power access from the grid 

• Keeps the environment clean and green

The hybrid solar system is another type of solar power system that generates power or electricity supply in the same way as the common grid-tie solar system does. The only difference of a hybrid solar system is that such a system uses batteries to store energy for later usage. A hybrid solar system can operate as backup power, and it is possible because of the ability to use the maximum amount of stored energy (uses this energy during a blackout which is similar to a UPS system).

The term ‘hybrid solar system’ refers to a combination of battery storage and solar systems in which the off-grid system is connected to the electricity grid. Hybrid solar system is classified into three types such as All-in-one Hybrid Inverter (which contains a battery inverter/charger and solar inverter together with clever controls), All-in-one Inverter with no Back-up (works like a grid feed solar inverter which enables storage of solar energy in the battery system for the self-use), and All-in-one Inverter with Back-up (used as both an on-grid or off-grid inverter, which has a great backup capability).

Advantages of hybrid solar system:

• Allows consumers to store excess solar power or low cost (off-peak) electricity

• Allows using of solar energy during the evening times (known as self-use or load-shifting)

• Facilitates with backup power capability that helps to provide power during a blackout or grid outage like a UPS function

• Enables advanced management of electricity power and energy independence

• Reduces the power consumption from the grid

Solar accessories are important for all your small and large-scale power generation requirements. The main accessories used in solar power system installation are Batteries, Solar Charge Controllers, Off-Grid Solar Panels, and Solar Battery Enclosures. 

Solar batteries: Solar batteries for home energy systems are made using lithium-ion batteries (lighter and more compact than lead-acid batteries) rather than lead-acid, and saltwater. Lead-acid batteries are used in off-grid energy systems that have a relatively short life, and lower DoD than other battery types.  Saltwater batteries (newcomer in the home energy storage industry) don’t contain heavy metals as compared to other home energy storage options. Solar batteries are considered the best in terms of battery capacity & power ratings, depth of discharge (DoD), round-trip efficiency, warranty, and finest manufacturing facilities.

Solar charge controllers: Solar charge controllers are a voltage regulator to keep batteries from overcharging and also regulates the current coming from the solar panels going to the battery. A solar charge controller is categorized into two different technologies, PWM and MPPT. An MPPT charge controller is more expensive than a PWM charge controller but worth buying it even if expending more money.

Off-grid solar panels: This particular solar panel consists of a battery, charge controller, grid box, inverter, mounting structure, and balance of systems. Off-grid solar panels can store enough sunlight during the day, and use the excess power generated in the night.

Solar battery enclosures: Solar battery enclosures are used to keep your batteries safe from weather, and safe from theft.  It is attributed with feature locking mechanisms that protect unauthorized people against possible electrical dangers if they happen to be tampering with your equipment. Battery enclosures for solar systems are pole-mounted or ground-mounted and suitable for indoor and outdoor applications.