| The last couple of months were a very | | | | are completely independent from the local power |
| challenging time for car owners. Gasoline prices | | | | grid. With this system, be prepared to install a |
| have shot through the roof and have created a | | | | series of batteries to provide energy storage |
| lot of stress every time we drive our car to a | | | | during times of low input or high energy usage. |
| pumping station. Luckily gasoline prices have | | | | 2) Battery-based grid-tie systems. These |
| reduced to a reasonable level giving us some | | | | systems are quite similar to standalone systems. |
| breathing space before it climbs again. Will the | | | | You will also require batteries, but they are |
| same problem faced by home owners? Our | | | | connected to the power utility grid. One benefit of |
| homes are highly dependent on electric energy | | | | this system is the ability to send out to the grid |
| and we know the utility companies use coal or oil | | | | any surplus electricity generated by the solar |
| for power production. If there is a shortage on | | | | energy setup. It can also use utility electricity |
| these natural resources, there might be a domino | | | | when needed. |
| effect that will increase our home power rates. | | | | 3)Battery-less grid-tie systems. These setup are |
| Many home owners are taking proactive action | | | | the simplest of all systems, having only the solar |
| and slowly converting their house to use | | | | energy generation module and an inverter |
| renewable energy such as solar power. Before | | | | connected to the utility grid. They do not have |
| you make any installation, you should know there | | | | batteries hence they have no backup capability. |
| are 3 different kinds of solar system for | | | | When the grid goes down, these systems also |
| residential usage. These are: | | | | shut down. |
| 1) Stand-alone off-grid systems. These systems | | | | |