The Ultimate Guide to Grid-Tied Solar System

With the electricity bills soaring, homeowners are looking for ways to reduce their dependence on the main grid. A grid-tied solar system is a combination of solar power panels connected to the electricity grid — and works without any external battery backup.

In contrast, off-the-grid solar systems come with an attached battery backup and offer complete independence from the electricity grid. Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus features an expandable LiFePO4 battery and solar panels to charge most home or outdoor appliances.

Using additional Jackery Battery Pack 2000 Plus batteries, you can expand the capacity from 2kWh to 24kWh. In this article, we will walk you through what a grid-tied solar system is, how it works, and how they are different from other solar solutions.

What Is A Grid-Tied Solar System? 

A grid-tied solar system uses solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity and is connected to the grid. The excess energy is exported to the main utility grid, and when the household appliances require more power, the electricity is imported from the grid.

These solar systems generally do not have batteries attached to them. They are more affordable than self-contained systems, which consist of solar panels and a battery. With grid-tied systems, you never have to worry about running out of power.

One worthy thing to note is that grid-tied systems only work if the electricity grid functions well. If there is a power outage or the main grid experiences any fault, the grid-tied system will not work — especially at night.

How Does A Grid-Tied Solar System Work?

The grid-tied solar system consists of an inverter, a meter, and solar panels. They are usually installed on a rooftop or open space to convert direct sun's rays into DC (direct current). The role of an inverter is to convert the produced DC into AC for efficient charging.

The below grid-tied solar system diagram illustrates different components and their connections.

As there is no energy storage equipment or battery backup connected in the grid-tied system, the unused power is automatically fed back to the electricity grid. If the power produced by the solar panels is not sufficient to match your energy needs, the system automatically draws electricity from the main grid.

Grid-Tied Solar System Vs. Other Solar Systems

When it comes to choosing a home battery backup solution, there are multiple solar systems available. In general, all these solar systems are similar and work in similar basic ways.

Grid-Tied Solar Systems: Also known as on-grid, grid intertie, and grid back-feeding systems, they include a solar system generally connected to the utility power grid.

Off-Grid Solar Systems: Also known as a standalone system, it is one obvious alternative to grid-tied. They require battery storage or a backup generator that stores and supplies electricity even if the grid is down.

Hybrid Solar Systems: This solar system combines the best of two worlds — grid-tied and off-grid. Hence, they are described as a grid-tied solar system with battery backup or off-grid solar with utility backup power.

Portable Solar Systems: One of the most popular home charging solutions is portable solar generators or battery backup. They're ideal for houses, camping trips, picnics, and more.

Jackery is a well-known manufacturer of solar panels, solar generators, and power stations. They are available in different sizes and capacities, helping you charge all low to high-power-consuming appliances.

Let's compare all the common solar systems with their pros, cons, and working principles.

What Are The Equipment Of Grid-Tied Solar Systems?

Grid-tied solar systems are generally connected to the main electricity grid and solar panel array. They require specialized equipment, like a grid-tied inverter (GTI) or micro-inverter. Some homeowners also replace their current power meter with a compatible net metering.

Solar Panels: A photovoltaic or solar array generates DC electricity, which is then connected to the inverter.

Solar Grid-Tied Inverter: The inverter's role is to convert DC electricity from the solar power panels to usable AC electricity supplied to the home and even back to the grid. It is typically available in three types: string inverters, microinverters, and string inverters with power optimizers.

Net Meter: It is usually designed to monitor the two-way power exchange between home and utility companies. If you do not have the net meter installed at your home, the utility company will provide it once the grid-tied solar system is ready for installation.

Portable Solar Systems: Jackery Solar Generators Explained

Jackery is a leading manufacturer of superior-quality solar systems, solar panels, and power stations. The off-grid solar systems consist of solar panels and power stations to collect, convert, and supply electricity to appliances.

You can recharge the Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations via Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels or AC adapter. Whether you want a home backup solution for power outages or outdoor camping trips, Jackery Solar Generators has your back.

Here's how you can calculate the working hours of Jackery Solar Generators.

Suppose you use Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro to charge different home appliances that consume 1500 watts.

Working Time = Capacity in Wh * 0.85 / Operating wattage of the home devices = 3024Wh * 0.85 / 1500W  = 1.7H.

Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro can supply continuous and stable electricity to 1500-watt appliances for 1.7 hours.

Depending on your wattage requirements or power needs, you can select the ideal size of the Jackery Solar Generator.

Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro

Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro has a battery capacity of 3024Wh and a 3000W output. The MPPT technology provides 99% of solar charging efficiency and takes only a few hours to recharge. The Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro Portable Power Station weighs only 63.93 lbs, making it ideal for outdoor adventures like car camping, picnic trips, and more.

Customer Review

"I have been looking for a larger capacity battery option so I can use it for home integration and portable locations. One of the requirements is to have a 30 amp outlet, which can provide up to 3 kWh output. This is critical for home integration, RV, etc. Enough output power to support most of the appliance's needs." –  CaliFil

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus features a safe LiFePO4 battery that can last more than 10 years — even if used regularly. With 6*Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panels, you can charge the Explorer 2000 Plus in only 2 hours. The innovative lithium battery technology ensures efficient and safe operation.

Customer Review

"Purchased for home backup, but I also take these out with me on long camping trips. It will easily power whatever you plug in it, and the 30 amp RV plug is a nice addition. Additional batteries can be added depending on your needs and can handle up to 6 Solar Saga 200 panels. I'm very impressed with what Jackery has done here, and I'm very pleased with this product." — Chris.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro delivers a massive charging capacity of 2160Wh and can be charged with 6*SolarSaga 200W Solar Panels in 2.5 hours. It has multiple USB ports and AC outlets to charge electrical appliances simultaneously. The first-rate lithium battery houses four temperature core detectors and dual battery protection to raise the safety bar.

Customer Review

"Great for short-term home backup and for camping/tailgating. I keep mine charged as a battery backup for essential home appliances and have used it while tailgating to keep a heater and hotpot going. The draw from the heater was strong but maintained power for the hour I needed it." — DJ.

Grid-Tied Solar System FAQs

The cost of a grid-tied solar system will vary depending on how big a system you need, the solar tax credits offered by the state, and your home location. An average home generally requires a 4kWh grid-tied system that costs around $9100. However, larger solar systems can cost you more.

Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations can be charged from grid or solar panels. The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus (a combination of Explorer 2000 Plus and 2*SolarSaga 200W Solar Panels) costs you only $3299, which is much lower than grid-tied systems.

Most homeowners think investing in a solar system means having power during blackouts. However, that's not the case if you use grid-tied solar systems. As they do not have a battery backup or power station to store excess electricity, they may not be able to supply power when the grid goes down.

Investing in a solar generator with a battery backup can help you store the surplus power. Instead of feeding power back to the electricity grid, the off-grid solar-powered generators store and supply electricity when needed.

Solar systems are becoming popular as producing your own power helps people become self-reliant. Even though the grid-tied solar system can help you reduce high electricity bills, it may not be effective during power outages.

Portable solar systems, like Jackery Solar Generators, are designed to meet your home or outdoor power needs. The massive battery capacity of Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro can power 99% of your home appliances, even if there's a power outage.

In addition to powering home appliances, these portable power stations are ideal for camping, hiking, or other outdoor activities.

Final Thoughts

If you want to eliminate high electricity bills using solar energy, you may choose a grid-tied solar system. However, it comes with a few downsides. You must select a grid-tied solar system with battery backup to store excess power and charge appliances during power outages and blackouts.

In contrast, off-grid solar systems come with in-built batteries that will help you completely eliminate your dependence on electricity grids. Jackery Solar Generators are ideal and reliable portable power generators for home or outdoor appliances. These home backup systems are a suitable power solution for power outages, brownouts, or rolling blackouts.