People who say that a grid-tied solar system is better than a stand-alone off-grid solar system aren’t right in a country where many places aren’t connected to the grid yet. But for people who can connect to the grid, most people prefer grid-connected solar systems.
A solar system that is not linked to the grid is an off-grid system. Large power plants and people who use electricity are connected to the grid, which is a lot like a huge battery bank. It comprises lines that move the electricity and send it to other places.
Having a grid is important because solar power is a source of energy that changes from day today. It has its highs and lows on sunny days and cloudy days. Because the solar system is connected to the grid, there is no risk that less power will be generated. This gives the user a smooth experience of using electricity.
Also Read:
What Are Off-Grid Solar Systems and How Do They Work?
When you have an off-grid solar system, you use a battery bank to store all the electricity that you make and use it when you need it. Batteries keep getting charged even if they don’t use all solar energy made. However, the battery attaches to the cost of an off-grid solar power system, which is one of the main reasons people choose a grid-connected solar power system instead.
There are different types of off-grid inverters.
The three types of off-grid inverters are based on how the output waveform looks.
- Pure sine waves
- Sine wave
- Square wave
Inverters that produce just pure sine waves:
Pure sine wave, also known as true value inverter, has a stable sine wave output. This means that it has a sine wave that repeatedly oscillates in both positive and negative directions. It turns out to be the straight choice for very sensitive electronics to heat. Depending on how often it happens, it is further broken down into:
It’s better for compressors and air conditioners that can run for a long time because this inverter has a high starting current, so it’s better for these types of things.
Because of their high frequency, these devices are long-lasting and efficient. They can run both inductive and resistive loads, which is not the case with modern sine wave inverters. They are free of electromagnetic pollution and have a higher power conversion rate with very little waste.
Inverter with modified sine wave:
Even though this type of inverter is cheaper, its waveform isn’t as straightforward as it should be. There is a time gap between the highest positive and lowest negative points. They are also known as modified square wave inverters. Because this inverter runs on electromagnetic principles and needs a lot of power to startup, it isn’t good for inductive loads like compressors, switches, motors, and fluorescent lights. This can cause the appliances to overheat, making them less durable. Because it is cheap, one can use it for small things, but not for the renewable energy system.
Inverter with square wave:
Those inverters give out bad quality, unstable square wave AC output, making the inverter and the load less durable. These inverters are not used now because they are unstable and make a lot of harmonic distortion.
Off-Grid Solar System Advantages
Because of new technology and ideas, it is now possible to get electricity to people who don’t live near the grid. Off-grid solar systems are preferred whenever it isn’t possible to connect to the grid. Here is a few more purpose why you should use them:
Be self-sufficient in terms of energy:
Off-grid solar means you don’t have to use electricity from the grid. You are self-sufficient even when the sun doesn’t shine, like at night or on cloudy days.
100% independence from outside sources of energy:
It allows you to be completely independent of other energy sources. An off-grid solution is one way to do this.
It’s cheaper and cleaner than electricity made with diesel.
Electricity made by diesel generators costs about Rs18-22 per unit and is polluting, but electricity made by a solar power plant costs less and is cleaner.
Advantageous for rough terrain in distant areas:
It’s best to use off-grid power solutions in places where it’s impossible to get electricity from the grid. It’s best to use an off-grid solar system in places where there isn’t a lot of electricity in the area.
Unaffected by power outages:
An off-grid solar structure with a battery bank lets you avoid power outages in cities and rural areas because it makes up for the difference between how much electricity people want and how much electricity they have.
Off-Grid solar systems need a lot of things to work.
Solar panels and the rest of the structure aren’t all that’s needed for an off-grid solar system.
Battery bank:
It’s essentially a collection of batteries linked by cables to a large power source. If you don’t have a battery bank, there won’t be enough electricity to power your home at night. It is this part that makes an off-grid solar system so pricey.
Charger for solar panels:
What it does is shown by the name. It makes sure that the batteries don’t get too charged, which can cause them to break down even more.
This is an inverter that isn’t hooked up to the grid:
The frequency of an off-grid inverter doesn’t have to be the same as the frequency of the utility grid power, which is different from a grid-tied inverter that has to match. An inverter is needed because the DC power from the solar plant needs to be converted to AC before it can be utilized for home appliances. This is why an inverter is needed.
Disconnect Switch for DC Power:
A DC disconnect switch is added between the battery bank and the off-grid inverter in solar systems that don’t have electricity from the grid. It is used to stop the electricity from flowing between these two parts. This is important for maintenance, troubleshooting, and protecting against fires caused by electricity.
Generator backup:
It’s a good thing to have if your battery bank can’t be charged or if there is a problem with your solar system during maintenance, downtime, or other times.
