Your journey to going solar includes learning about the different kinds of home solar power systems to choose from. Our solar power guide breaks down the common types of systems for you in clear and simple language.
There are three ways that your home’s energy system can relate to the power grid in your town or city. It could be grid-tied, grid-tied with storage, or off-grid.
There are three basic ways each system collects sunlight: roof panels, ground-mounted panels, and roof tiles. Which one you choose depends on your budget and your home’s construction and location.
One of the first steps in our guide to going solar is choosing a system for your home solar. Once you know about these different systems, you can have better conversations with your solar installer about how to go solar and power your home.
Grid-Tied
Grid-tied systems are the most common option for home solar. They offer stable power for your home plus they are low-cost, which makes grid-tied systems a popular choice for going solar. “Grid-tied” simply means that your home solar is connected to the power grid of your town or city. By staying connected to the utility grid, you can be sure to keep your home powered in times when your roof isn’t getting as much sun, such as at night or in winter. If you have a grid-tied system, you can save even more money with solar net metering.
Grid-Tied With Storage
A grid-tied system becomes even more stable with the addition of storage. Solar batteries can store your excess power from sunny days. Batteries also offer protection against power outages, so they are popular in areas that see a lot grid outages because of snowstorms or hurricanes. Some homes really need solar battery power for emergency backup. By using a grid-tied system with storage, you can get the advantages of being tied to your grid but with more independence.
A system with a battery is more expensive than a system without storage. However, industry leaders predict that in five years there will be five times the demand we currently see for this kind of system.[1]Solar Energy Industries Association Given the rising popularity of systems with storage, you might expect their cost to go down in the near future.
Off-Grid
Some homeowners want complete independence from the power grid. Or their home may be in a remote location where there’s no other power available to them. If that’s your situation, you’ll want to look into an off-grid home solar system. If you live in a very remote location, such as a mountain site, bringing power from the utility grid to your home’s location could set you back $50,000 per mile.[2]US Department of Energy In that case, an off-grid system with solid storage equipment might be a necessity for your budget.
Whether or not your system is grid-tied, you’ll need to choose a system to capture sunlight and convert it into power for your home. Continue reading our solar power guide to learn about your three primary options:
Solar Roof Panels
The most popular option for capturing solar energy is solar roof panels. They have a solid track record and are easily found. It’s also easy to find a solar installer who will be very familiar with the ins and outs of solar roof panels. If your roof is a good fit for panels, this is probably your best option for going solar. There are a few common solar panel types you may want to consider.
Ground-Mounted
Ground-mounted solar panels are a good alternative to solar roof panels. To install solar roof panels, your roof needs to be large enough, and strong enough, to hold them. Your roof also needs to be in a location that gets plenty of direct sunlight. But ground-mounted panels are installed in your yard, so their position is flexible. They are less common than roof panels, but for homeowners with the acreage, or who prefer to keep their roofline clean, ground-mounted systems are a good option.
There are other reasons to choose ground-mounted systems. If you are planning to start small and build a larger solar power system over time, these systems can be easily built upon. All it takes as adding another panel to your yard, which is much simpler than changing a roof installation. If you are expanding your house, for example, your energy needs could increase.
Solar Roof Tiles
Solar roof tiles or “solar shingles” are a new technology. Tiles don’t have the track record that panels do, but they are starting to get a lot of attention from designers. These tiles are an streamlined and elegant solution, barely visible on the roof. For homeowners with important or notable architecture, this is an exciting option.
Are you building a brand new home, or re-roofing your home? Then using solar roof tiles or “solar shingles” might actually be cost-effective. Paying for the labor of going solar and roofing in one go could be less pricey than building a whole new roof and adding solar panels to it.[3]Northern California Solar Energy Association
Otherwise, solar roof tiles are usually a more expensive technology than roof panels—if you are adding solar to an existing roof.
Whichever system for going solar you choose, the best choice is the one that matches your needs as a homeowner!
(Illustrations: Power House by Vectors Point, Solar Roof by Creative Mahira, Roof tiles by Ben Davis)
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