Are You Still On The Grid With Solar Panels?
Are Solar Panels Right for You?
With solar panel installations on the rise, many homeowners are faced with the decision of whether to stay connected to the electrical grid or go completely off-grid. In 2020 alone, nearly 3 million homes in the U.S. had rooftop solar installations, bringing the total to over 4 million homes nationwide (source). As solar technology improves and prices fall, this number is expected to grow exponentially. While grid-tied systems are still the most common setup, interest in off-grid living continues to increase. So what are the key factors to weigh when deciding what’s best for your home?
Pros of Staying on the Grid
One of the biggest benefits of staying connected to the grid even with solar panels is that you can still get power at night or on cloudy days when your solar system is not producing much or any electricity (source). Solar panels only generate electricity when the sun is shining on them. At night and on overcast days, solar systems produce little to no power. Staying on the grid ensures you will have a reliable power source 24/7.
Most homes with solar have net metering set up with their utility company. Net metering allows any excess solar energy your panels produce during the day to be sent back to the grid. Your utility company then credits your account for those kilowatt-hours. You earn credits when your system overproduces, and you use those credits at night or during low production times to offset the electricity you pull from the grid. This arrangement with net metering ensures you have power around the clock.
Cons of Staying on the Grid
Despite having solar panels while on the grid, homeowners still have to pay electric bills to the utility for any power they consume beyond what their solar panels produce (1). The amount of those electric bills depends on the size of the solar panel system, the amount of sunlight in the area, and the home’s energy usage. Even with net metering, where excess energy can be sold back to the grid, the homeowner may not eliminate their electric bill completely.
For example, solar panels may produce a surplus of energy during the sunny daytime hours. But many homes use more power in the evening when solar panels are not actively producing electricity. So there would still be a charge for that utility-sourced nighttime energy use. Staying on the grid also means continuing to pay any monthly connection fees or other charges from the electric company.
Pros of Going Off-Grid
One major advantage of going off-grid with solar panels is energy independence. An off-grid solar system allows you to generate your own electricity without relying on the utility grid. This means you have full control over your energy production and are not subject to rising electricity rates or grid failures. With an off-grid system, you can produce all the electricity you need, especially if you incorporate batteries for storage. This gives you peace of mind and removes concerns over grid stability. According to https://unboundsolar.com/blog/off-grid-solar-pros-and-cons, off-grid solar provides true energy independence and insulation from grid outages.
Cons of Going Off-Grid
One of the biggest cons of going completely off the grid is the need for batteries to store excess solar energy. Since solar panels only produce energy when the sun is shining, battery storage is essential for using power at night or on cloudy days. Quality batteries that can store and discharge enough electricity for daily use are expensive. Lithium-ion batteries for home energy storage can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000 or more. Lead-acid batteries are cheaper but larger, heavier, and require more maintenance. Without grid backup, batteries need to be sized large enough to provide consistent power, even through multiple days of overcast weather. This significantly increases costs compared to a grid-tied system.
Batteries also have a limited lifespan of around 5-10 years on average. Replacing worn out batteries can be another large expense for an off-grid homeowner. Proper battery maintenance, like avoiding deep discharges and overcharging, can extend their usable life but adds another responsibility. Relying entirely on batteries for overnight power and backup means there’s no room for error in system design, battery capacity and maintenance.
For those wanting energy independence and security through home solar, staying connected to the grid may be a better option. Grid-tied systems don’t require large battery banks for overnight power needs. Excess solar energy is sent back to the grid for a credit, while power can be drawn from the grid at night. This gives grid-tied solar homes reliable backup power without expensive battery storage.
Key Factors to Consider
When deciding between staying on the grid or going off-grid with solar panels, there are a few key factors to take into account:
Location – Your geographical location will determine how much sunlight is available to power solar panels. Areas that receive abundant sunshine, like the Southwest United States, are better suited for off-grid solar systems. Locations with less sun exposure may need to supplement with another power source if going off-grid (https://www.shsolarelectric.com/post/on-grid-vs-off-grid-solar).
Sun exposure – Consider the number of daylight hours in your area and whether your roof or property has shade from trees or other buildings. More direct sunlight equals more solar electricity generation potential (https://www.dynamicslr.com/factors-to-consider-before-going-off-grid/).
Energy needs – Assess how much power your home or business requires. Off-grid solar can fully power small to mid-size electricity demands. Larger energy needs may be better met staying on the grid or doing a hybrid on/off-grid system.
Financial Considerations
Going off-grid requires a significant upfront investment. According to This Old House, a typical off-grid solar system costs $45,000 to $65,000, which is almost double the cost of a comparable grid-tied system. Major expenses include solar panels, batteries, charge controllers, inverters, and installation. Batteries in particular can be very costly. Quality lithium-ion batteries for home energy storage cost around $5,000 to $10,000.
However, staying on the grid also has financial downsides. Electricity rates keep rising, so remaining connected to the grid means being vulnerable to unpredictable rate hikes. Going off-grid locks in long-term energy savings, as after the initial investment sunlight is free. Once paid off, an off-grid solar system can provide 20+ years of minimal electricity expenses. Though expensive at first, off-grid homes ultimately gain energy independence and sustainability.
Lifestyle Adjustments Off-Grid
Going off-grid requires some lifestyle adjustments, especially around energy conservation and monitoring usage (Off Grid vs. Grid Tied Solar Panel Systems – CNET). Without unlimited electricity from the grid, off-grid homeowners need to be more mindful of their energy consumption. This may require changing behaviors and habits to reduce energy needs.
Off-grid living requires diligent tracking of energy production and usage. Homeowners will need to monitor levels frequently and adjust consumption to match solar energy generation. Appliances, lights, and devices may need to be used at strategic times when ample solar power is available. Daily and seasonal variations in solar production make planning and conservation important.
In addition, backups like generators or battery banks are essential for off-grid homes. Outages and low production days need to be accounted for. Homeowners may need to limit energy use on cloudy stretches and rely more on non-electric sources like wood-burning stoves. While off-grid living promotes sustainability, it also demands greater attention to energy monitoring and conservation habits from residents.
Examples of Homes Off-Grid
More and more homeowners are choosing to go off-grid with their solar panel systems. This allows them to disconnect from the electrical grid and become self-sufficient in their energy production. Here are some examples of homes using off-grid solar power and the adjustments the homeowners made:
The Smith family installed a 8kW off-grid solar system to power their 2,000 square foot home in upstate New York (https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/solar/off-grid-solar-system-cost/). They supplemented the solar panels with two Powerwall batteries from Tesla to store energy. Some adjustments they made were upgrading all appliances and lighting to energy efficient models, installing a wood burning stove, and modifying their lifestyle to use electricity at optimal times.
Jenny and Mark went off-grid when building their retirement home in Arizona, according to This Old House. They have a 5kW solar system with lithium ion batteries for storage. To maximize self-sufficiency, they have a propane generator for backup, hot water heating, and an energy efficient AC system. They monitor energy use closely and limit appliance use during cloudy periods.
The Carter family converted their suburban home into an off-grid solar powered house after researching and planning for years (https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/solar/off-grid-solar-system-cost/). They use a 10kW solar array with a 20kWh Tesla Powerwall. Adjustments include adding solar attic fans, a wood stove, energy efficient appliances, and modifying energy use habits. They grow their own fruits and vegetables and even installed a chicken coop for fresh eggs.
Conclusion
Going off the grid with solar panels can seem like an appealing way to become more self-sufficient and reduce reliance on utilities. However, it requires substantial financial investment, lifestyle adjustments, and maintenance responsibilities. For most homeowners, staying connected to the grid tends to be more practical and affordable.
In the end, evaluate your personal goals, budget, and living situation when deciding between grid-tied and off-grid solar. Living completely off-grid may appeal to those who highly value independence or living in remote areas. But for many families, a grid-tied solar system can reduce energy bills while avoiding major lifestyle sacrifices.
Some key takeaways are to crunch the numbers carefully, research all regulations and incentives in your area, and plan ahead for battery storage if going off-grid. While staying connected to the grid has its downsides, for most homeowners it allows harnessing solar power’s benefits more affordably. Carefully weighing the pros and cons of each option can lead you towards the best solar solution for your home.
