Grid-Tied Solar System

The grid-tied solar system is the most cost effective, and that's exactly what it was designed do, save money.  It does not include backup batteries or a generator, which are usually the most expensive parts. A grid-tied system includes solar modules, usually micro-inverters or power optimizers, an inverter or gateway, and a solar rapid shutdown switch. All of this new equipment is connected to a breaker panel or directly to your electrical meter usually on the side of your home, designed to reduce your power bill or sometimes almost cover it completely.  Grid-tied solar systems work by sending the energy that your solar system generates to the grid where it's stored for later use. If you use more power than you've generated you will see that difference on your power bill. If you produce more than you use, you would receive credit for it if you have a Net Metering agreement with the power company.  Grid-tied systems can be smaller in size compared to backup or off-grid.  You don't need to generate the whole 100% of your power usage, for reasons you can go smaller whether it be financial or a just lack of room on the roof.  A lot of people have a system sized for a partial offset of their power bill, and can plan to expand the system later.  When you generate 50% of your power, the power company will supply the additional power beyond your production.  Most solar panels are warrantied for 20 years, and grid-tied systems are the only solar option that can turn a profit for the owner.  One thing to keep in mind though is you are still vulnerable to power outages, with the right inverter you can decide at a later date to have us add the backup power capability to your system.