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Can You Switch from Grid-Tied to Off-Grid Solar?

Can You Switch from Grid-Tied to Off-Grid Solar?
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If you currently have a solar power system that’s tied to the utility grid, you might feel like you still rely too much on city power. After all, you’re switching to grid power every night and every time the sky gets cloudy. But is switching to total energy independence by going off-grid really possible? What do you need to do to make it happen? Keep reading to find out.

Determine How Much More You Need

Before you start trying to disconnect from the grid, look at your last few utility bills to get an idea of just how much energy you’re still using from it. This gives you a good starting place to determine just how much more power you’ll need your solar power system to generate to get you through a day. Look for patterns and changes from one season to another, and keep in mind that, during periods of extended cloudy weather, you’ll still need enough stored power to get you through until the sun returns.

Upgrade Your Solar Panels and Inverter

Once you have a better idea of how much more power you need, you can upgrade your system to better support your home’s full energy requirements. More efficient panels are always an option to get more power from the same number of panels; you can also simply add more panels to your existing array. You will also need to upgrade your inverter. Grid-tied inverters are not designed to support a backup power source, which you’ll need to go off the grid. You’ll want to switch to an off-grid inverter instead. Alternatively, you can switch to a hybrid inverter, which allows you to maintain a tie to the grid; even if you only use that connection temporarily, as you adjust to energy independence, the hybrid inverter can still function much like an off-grid inverter.

Install a Solar Battery Bank

You’ll next need to install a solar battery bank. This will be your primary backup power source. You’ll need a battery storage system that is large enough to store several days’ worth of solar power. This bank will be what you use when the sun goes down or during cloudy periods. Lithium-ion batteries are a popular choice for this application, because they’re efficient and have a long lifespan.

Choose a Secondary Backup Power Source

Finally, you’ll need a second source of backup power, in case your battery bank ever runs dry. Many hybrid systems will use the grid as this secondary backup source, only tapping into the grid during emergencies. Of course, this is not strictly the same as an off-grid system, so if you want to go entirely off the grid, you’ll need another option, such as a generator, which you can hook up to your inverter when needed.

Once you’ve sufficiently upgraded your system, installed your SimpliPhi lithium batteries, and chosen a backup power source, you’re ready to become independent in your solar energy production and consumption.

 

Published By: Aize Perez

(Ambassador)

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