Grid-tied solar systems store energy from your solar panels and connect it to the grid. This system is the cheapest to set up upfront and doesn't require batteries. The utility grid stores this system's electricity and sells it back whenever the demand is not met. This system can also be used to produce more electricity than what the home uses during peak hours.
Grid-tied solar panels offer benefits
Grid-tied solar systems can help you reduce your utility bills. This is one of the biggest benefits. These systems can reduce your utility bills by as much $156 per month once you have paid off the initial cost. Not only will your energy bills be lower, but your utility company will give you credits for the energy produced by your system.
Grid-tied solar panels have another advantage. They don't need backup generators nor batteries. You can also make them smaller, as they don't need to cover the entire energy consumption of a house. These allow them to be installed in an area that can accommodate electric vehicles.
Costs
You can reduce your power bill by installing a solar tie-in system. You can get credits from your utility for using solar power in your home. It is important to weigh the costs. Grid-tied solar systems can reduce your costs substantially. You can expect to save money on your power bill and have extra power to help you during peak usage periods.
The cost for a grid-tied solar panel system will vary based on where you reside. Arizona's average cost of a residential solar installation is less than the national average. Massachusetts is above the average.
Maintenance
When maintaining your solar tie-in grid system, there are many factors to consider. The first is to determine the right temperature for your system. The solar panels can be damaged by extreme temperature variations. Also, be alert for sudden increases in utility bills. These are signs the system is in trouble.
Third, it is important to consider the cost for batteries. It is expensive to purchase batteries and must be maintained. Batteries are an important part of off-grid PV systems, and they are not like solar cells. Regular flushing and replacement of normal lead acid batteries is necessary. Or, you could choose sealed lead acids batteries. These batteries are more long-lasting and require less maintenance. However, sealed lead acids batteries are more expensive to replace and purchase.
Seasons
The way that solar power is transmitted from solar panels onto the grid depends on the season. The amount that sunlight hits the panels will vary according to the season. Furthermore, the weather will have an impact on how much electricity is required for heating/cooling. A grid-tied solar system will have a greater import/export ratio during summer because the days are longer and the sun shines more. Solar power is less effective in winter because the days are shorter and sun is weaker. Grid-tied solar systems are able to save credits and export surplus power when required.
When calculating the energy output from a solar tie in grid system, you'll need to know how many kWh you used in the past year. This should be inclusive of all seasons (including winter and summer). This is important as different seasons produce different amounts. Depending on how much they use, most customers will consume more energy during certain times of year.
Return on investment
A solar tie-in grid system can provide a high return on investment. It can range from 10 to 30 percent per year. Forbes says that an investment portfolio is likely to return around seven-and-a-half percent over the long term. Moreover, investing in solar power will reduce your tax liability, be environmentally friendly, and have zero impact on your budget.
Experts agree that a solar system is a good investment. Solar installations can save homeowners a lot of money and offer a higher ROI than five year CDs. According to a Reuters survey, solar installations make good investments in nearly all states. Two module manufacturers are suing to challenge the return on investment of solar tie-in grid systems.