Grid connected or off grid?
When considering a solar installation there two distinct types of systems: grid connected and off grid. There are benefits and costs associated with each and understanding the differences can help you make the choice that best meets your needs.
A grid connected system has fewer components than an off grid system and does not store any electricity on-site. With a solar installation connected to the electrical grid a home or business becomes both a consumer and a producer of electricity. Net metering is the term used by utilities to describe how they account for the balance between the amount of electricity used by the customer and the electricity exported to other nearby consumers. A grid connected system can be any size without the compromise of reliability compared to a facility that would be normally connected to the grid. System design is focused on producing the greatest total amount of electricity over the entire year.
An off grid system can be used to power anything from a small remote instrument to a home or larger facility. The size of an off grid system must be thoroughly planned to take into account the desired amount of consumption as well as the duration of usage required during the worst case production scenario (most of the time this would be a period of significant cloudy weather during the winter). System design is focused on providing the desired number of days of autonomy required by the project.
| Factor | Off grid | On grid |
|---|---|---|
| Provides electricity when grid is down? | Yes | No |
| Transfers electricity to neighbors? | No | Yes |
| Is easily scalable if more production is desired? | More costly | Yes |
| Cost | Higher | Lower |
| Urban locations | Less cost effective | More cost effective |
| Rural locations | Can become more cost effective | Depends on access to grid |
At Empowered Solar we believe that our actions locally have global impacts, which is why an important part of our business model is to be a force for change in developing countries. Visit our social change page to learn more about our work in other parts of the world.
