Grid-Tied Solar Kits: Solar Power for Homes & Businesses

Save Money on Electric Bills With Grid-Tie Solar

SolarTown's grid-tied solar kits are designed to make it as easy as possible to install solar at your home or business. These kits are ideal for anyone looking to save money on their electric bills.

In most cases, grid-tie solar systems entirely pay for themselves over time - even generating a profit over the expected 25-30 year lifespan of the solar panels. These kits are perfect for home and business owners looking to save on electric costs with a long-term investment into solar.

Because the primary goal is to cut costs, grid-tie systems do not come with battery banks for local energy storage. Instead, the energy they generate is stored in the utility grid, until it is ready to be used later. Under a net metering agreement with your local utility company, you can use that energy at any time - even at night or during cold weather, when sunlight isn't hitting your panels.

However, because they don't have local energy storage, grid-tie solar systems do not work during power outages. When the grid goes down, you still lose your access to power.

If you'd like to add battery backup to a grid-tie kit to protect against outages, please browse our hybrid solar kits in our shop.

Grid-Tie Solar Kit Components

Here's what's included in our grid-tie solar kits:

Solar Panels

Solar panels absorb sunlight to convert into electricity. Most home solar kits use traditional monocrystalline solar panels. While bulky and rigid, they are the most efficient and cost-effective option available, and they can be made to fit on most rooftops.

If you have limited space to build your array, consider solar panels with a high efficiency rating (20%+), which can fit more solar production into a smaller form factor.

Inverters

Commonly described as the "brain" of the solar power system, inverters convert DC (direct current) energy from panels into AC (alternating current) energy, which can be used to power your home appliances.

There are two main types: microinverters, which attach a small inverter to each panel, and string inverters, a centralized inverter which controls multiple panels. String inverters tend to be more cost effective, while microinverters make systems more reliable and easy to expand.

Inverters are typically specialized for either grid-tied or off-grid applications, though lately there's been an increase in hybrid inverters that work in either application. All kits are packaged with the proper inverter for their application.

Racking Materials

Our solar kits include the racking hardware needed to secure the system to its foundation, whether you're installing solar panels on your roof or building a dedicated ground mount.

Please note that ground mounts will require a separate sub-structure to be built as a foundation for the solar array, and the components needed to build this foundation are not included in our kits. You will need to source the materials for pipes, concrete footings, etc. from a local hardware store. Please consult with a member of our design team if you are working on a ground mount project.

Frequently Asked Questions About Grid-Tied Solar Kits

Q: What is a grid-tied solar kit and how does it work?

A grid-tied solar kit is a complete system designed to connect directly to your local utility company's electrical grid. It is the most common and cost-effective type of residential solar system.

Here’s how it works:

1. Production: The solar panels convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity.
2. Conversion: A grid-tie inverter (or microinverters) converts the DC electricity into alternating current (AC) electricity, which is the standard power used by your home and the grid.
3. Consumption: The solar power first satisfies the electricity needs of your home.
4. Export & Import:
   • If your system produces more power than you use (e.g., on a sunny afternoon), the excess is automatically sent to the utility grid.
   • If your system produces less power than you use (e.g., at night or on a cloudy day), your home seamlessly draws the extra power it needs from the grid.

Q: Will my grid-tied solar system work during a power outage?

No, a standard grid-tied system will automatically shut down during a utility power outage.

This is a critical safety feature, known as anti-islanding, required by law. It prevents your system from sending electricity back onto the grid wires, which could injure utility workers who are trying to repair the lines.

Solution for Backup Power: If you require power during an outage, you would need to install a hybrid (grid-tied with battery backup) system or add a solar battery to your existing setup. The battery system isolates your home from the grid during an outage and continues to power critical loads.

Q: What is Net Metering and why is it important for my savings?

Net Metering is a billing mechanism that provides credit to solar energy owners for the electricity they feed back into the grid.

• When your solar panels overproduce (e.g., during peak sun hours), the utility company effectively buys that excess power from you.
• The utility tracks the energy you export (send out) and the energy you import (pull in at night/cloudy days). You are only billed for the "net" difference.
• In many regions, net metering is key to achieving a "net-zero" electricity bill, as the credits you earn during the day offset the charges you incur when pulling power from the grid.