What to Know About Installing An Off-Grid Solar Power System

What is a Solar Array Design?

• Solar power is a straightforward process. Photons emitted by the sun are absorbed by semi­conductor materials in photovoltaic (PV) cells. This generates a flow of electrons which are converted and stored in batteries as potential energy. An inverter makes the stored power usable. Simple, right?

Off-Grid Vs. Grid-Tied Systems

• True off-grid systems aren’t connected to the power grid, so they need a bank of batteries. RVs, campers and outbuildings are perfect candidates for an off-grid system.
• A grid-tied system lets the energy generated from the solar array power your home. But when the sun goes down, the power grid takes over.
• The benefit of a grid-tied system? If you generate more power than you use, the excess goes into the power grid and the utility company pays you for it.
• The downside: If the power goes out in your neighborhood, you lose power, too. These systems automatically shut off during a power failure to protect the line workers.