Grid Tie Solar

Our grid tie solar kits include everything needed to add solar PV power to any home or business connected to the electrical grid.

The main components of grid tie solar kits are the solar panels and the inverter (and in some cases power optimizers as well) - but cables, wiring, and racking for roof-mounted installation are included as well. Since grid-tied PV systems don't utilize deep-cycle solar batteries for solar energy storage, these solar kits are significantly less expensive than our off grid solar kits. The lack of batteries also simplifies installation; however, installing a grid-tied PV system comes with its own challenges associated with connecting to the grid. As always, we're available to advise and assist on just these kinds of questions - you can reach us at 800-919-2400.

A grid-tie inverter interfaces the varying DC output from solar panels, converting their power into standard AC power that is useful for home and industry.

Primarily for reducing your electric bill, a grid-tie inverter simply sends as much power as it can - as much as is available from the solar array - into the grid. When you're using more than it's generating, you're buying power. When it's generating more, your meter's going backwards and you're getting credit for the surplus. Most utilities allow you to bank this surplus power and use it later. You can use it at night or in the winter (since it's likely you'll generate a surplus in the day and in the summer). The energy isn't actually stored, but from your point of view it is because you can use it later (and the electrical grid is far more effective and efficient than batteries). For this reason, you always want to utilize the grid when it's available to avoid the need for expensive batteries (with a finite lifespan). If you think you want to get off-grid, check out our off-grid inverter/chargers.