In everyday life people usually use solar energy systems to save money on their electricity bills, but most people don’t know that solar energy systems can be categorized into on-grid, off-grid and hybrid. Let’s take a look at these three types of solar systems today.
How do each of the three types of solar systems work?
Grid-tied solar system:
Grid-connected solar system is a type of solar system more commonly used in our life, connected to the grid. It uses solar panels to convert solar energy into electricity, and then converts DC power into AC power through an on grid solar inverter. However, since there are no solar panels to store the electricity, the electricity converted by the solar panels usually goes in only two ways, either directly to supply the household’s needs during the day or to the public grid.
Off-grid solar system:
Although still connected to the grid, the solar system is mainly used as the main power supply system, so that almost all the electricity needed in daily life is supplied by the solar system, both day and night. In this system, solar panels are used as the main energy storage system, so a larger number of solar panels are required.
Hybrid Solar System:
In this solar system we can use solar battery for storing electricity.
But also the grid can be used as the main source of power supply. The main difference with off-grid solar system is that in hybrid solar system the excess power can be fed to the grid whereas in off-grid solar system it cannot be fed.
What are the advantages of each of the three types of solar systems?
Advantages of grid-connected solar systems:
1. Compared to the other two types of solar systems, grid-connected solar systems do not require solar cells, which means that grid-connected solar systems require only the simplest of solar facilities, which can result in significant cost savings.
2. To a certain extent, it can reduce the cost of electricity.
3. The structure of grid-connected solar system is simple.
4.The maintenance cost of the entire system is less.
Advantages of off-grid solar system:
1.Off-grid solar panel use the solar system as the main power supply system, which can provide power to some remote areas where the grid is not widespread. It is also self-reliant without the need to rely on the grid on a regular basis.
2. Solar battery can also be used as a home energy storage system in normal areas.
Advantages of hybrid solar system:
1. Due to simultaneous connection to the grid and installation of solar panel. So, in case of grid failure, the solar battery can act as a backup power source.
2. Conversely, when the solar batteries are not charged, the grid can also be used for power supply.
3. Since solar battery can store power and deliver power to the grid, they can help us save more money on our electricity bills.
What are the disadvantages of each of the three types of solar systems?
Disadvantages of grid-connected solar system:
There is no backup power source, when the power grid is cut off, you will face the dilemma of having no electricity available.
Disadvantage of off-grid solar system:
Usually need to reserve a large amount of electricity for use. Therefore, more solar panels need to be installed and more solar cells need to be purchased to store electricity. It is also true that users tend to spend more money on the purchase of solar equipment. And post maintenance also needs to be carried out, so the cost of off-grid solar system is high.
Disadvantages of hybrid solar system:
In this system solar battery and hybrid solar inverters are also essential, the price of these two types of equipment is more expensive, and later maintenance is also required, so the cost of off-grid solar system is also high.
Which of these three solar systems is more practical?
It needs to be judged according to the user’s needs. When the user is in a remote area, such as a mountainous area, where the power grid is not yet widespread, off-grid solar systems are more practical. If the user is located in an area where there are frequent power outages, or the peak of electricity consumption is often concentrated at night, it is more practical to choose off-grid and hybrid solar systems.
For households where the peak of electricity consumption is during the daytime, such as those who work night shifts, it makes more sense to choose grid-connected solar systems.
