Solar power is growing increasingly popular because it’s clean and reusable. More families and businesses are using solar energy to save money and lessen their carbon footprint. Main types of solar power are on-grid and off-grid.
By connecting to the grid, on-grid solutions generate more electricity than “solar installation company“. Off-grid choices, on the other hand, store power in batteries and don’t need power.
They benefit similarly despite their distinctions. The “best solar system for your home” is something that is dependent on the situation at hand.
For energy savings and carbon reduction, an on-grid solar power system may be a beneficial investment. Net metering may be achievable given consistent power and low peak sunlight. This may increase security.
This guide will simplify the process by explaining the difference between on-grid and off-grid solar systems: Cost, Benefits, and Which to Choose for home
On-Grid System
This type of solar system will only make electricity when it is hooked up to the power grid. It is also called “grid-tied.”
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The solar panels send Direct Current (DC), which the grid-tied inverter will change to Alternating Current (AC), which will power the home appliances. However, it needs the grid to copy the waveform, frequency, and power of the electricity that comes into your home. That’s why it can only work when there is power from the grid.
If the power goes out or isn’t connected to the grid, the solar system will not work at all. The power grid can fill in when it’s dark or solar panels aren’t making enough power. However, if there is a net meter and the solar panel is making more energy than it needs, it is sent back into the electric grid. You sell this power to the power company at a set price, which is taken out of your monthly electricity bill.
The main parts are: Solar Panel Array, Inverters, Meters, and Utility grid.
It’s good for: Homes, businesses, and factories that have easy access to grid power.
Pros:
- It’s easy to set up and keep up with the method.
- It costs less because it doesn’t need a battery backup system.
- Extra solar energy is not thrown away; it is sold to the power company.
- When it’s dark or not much power is being made, the grid can provide it.
Cons:
- Not able to save gas.
- Will not provide power at night.
- Because it depends on the power grid, it doesn’t work when the power goes out.
Off-Grid System
Because they have batteries, the off-grid systems don’t need to be connected to the power grid in any way. During the day, the inverter charges the battery and powers the home electronics. The saved power can be used at night or when the power goes out.
With an off-grid setup, you can choose whether the solar panels power the house or charge the battery first. This kind of solar installation can help out in remote or rural places where the power goes out often but there is sunlight all year.
But it also has some bad points. If the batteries run out and the screens aren’t working as well because of things like clouds, rain, shade, etc., there is no power. This is why most people connect their off-grid system to their regular power connection to the grid.
Also, there are times when panels work even better than usual and make more power than is needed to charge a battery and power all the machines. This means that the extra energy is wasted.
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The main parts are: Solar Panel Array, Inverters, and Batteries.
It’s good for: It works well in rural and remote places, on agricultural land, and on industrial properties.
Pros:
- Gives people complete control over how much energy they use.
- It lets you store power that you can use at night.
- Keeps you safe from power outages and grid breakdowns.
Cons:
- Battery replacement costs make off-grid solutions more expensive over time.
- Batteries are bulky, don’t last long, and aren’t good for the environment.
- Lets extra energy be wasted.
- When the power from the panels is low, the system can’t be used.
On-Grid vs Off-Grid Solar System
| Aspect | On-Grid Solar System | Off-Grid Solar System |
| Connection to the Grid | Electricity-connected. They generate power during the day and feed excess to the grid. The system takes power from the grid when the solar panels are not in use. | Grid-independent. The technology uses excess energy from batteries when the sun isn’t shining. |
| Energy Storage | Does not require batteries for storing extra energy. | Requires batteries to store excess energy for use during cloudy days or at night. |
| Cost | Less expensive than off-grid systems. | Batteries and energy storage technology make it more expensive. |
| Maintenance | Simpler maintenance as there is no need for battery upkeep. | Requires more maintenance, including battery upkeep. |
| Assurance of Energy | Highly dependable when the grid is working but can lose power during outages. | Remote or rural places can use it during grid outages for stable energy. |
Solar System Cost in India
The first thing that affects how much a Home Solar Panel Installation Cost in India 2024 is how much power it can produce. Use this table to find out how much different types of solar setups cost:
On-Grid Solar Installation Cost in India
| Rooftop Solar Capacity | Installation Cost* |
| 1 kW | Rs.90,000 to Rs.1,30,000 |
| 2 kW | Rs.1,40,000 to Rs.1,80,000 |
| 3 kW | Rs.1,90,000 to Rs.2,30,000 |
| 4 kW | Rs.2,40,000 to Rs.2,80,000 |
| 5 kW | Rs.2,90,000 to Rs.3,30,000 |
| 6 kW | Rs.3,40,000 to Rs.3,80,000 |
| 8 kW | Rs.4,40,000 to Rs.4,80,000 |
| 10 kW | Rs.5,40,000 to Rs.5,80,000 |
*The price may fluctuate based on the market value of various solar components.
Off-Grid Solar Installation Cost in India
| Rooftop Solar Capacity | Installation Cost* |
| 1 kW | Rs. 1,14,000 to Rs. 1,78,000 |
| 2 kW | Rs. 1,80,000 to Rs. 2,35,000 |
| 3 kW | Rs.2,38,000 to Rs.3,26,000 |
| 4 kW | Rs. 3,30,000 to Rs. 4,00,000 |
| 5 kW | Rs. 4,40,500 to Rs. 5,13,000 |
| 8 kW | Rs. 5,50,000 to Rs. 6,20,000 |
| 10 kW | Rs. 6,28,052 to Rs. 8,35,197 |
*The price may fluctuate based on the market value of various solar components.
Appliances That Can Run
Here is a combined table for appliances that can run on On-Grid and Off-Grid solar systems:
| Appliance | On-Grid Solar System | Off-Grid Solar System |
| Lights and Fans | Yes, supports all; energy-efficient options recommended. | Yes, energy-efficient LED lights and fans are ideal. |
| Air Conditioners | Yes, easily supported but depends on grid stability. | Limited; drains batteries quickly, better suited for large systems. |
| Refrigerators | Yes, works seamlessly with grid backup. | Limited; energy-efficient or DC models recommended. |
| Washing Machines | Yes, solar power is used during the day to keep it going. | Limited; use inverter-based models for optimal battery use. |
| Water Heaters | Yes, solar water heaters can supplement usage. | No/Occasional; high-capacity systems required. |
| TVs, Computers, and Gadgets | Yes, well-suited; grid supplies power when needed. | Yes, efficient for basic usage; avoid simultaneous heavy usage. |
| Kitchen Appliances | Yes, can run most appliances like microwaves or cooktops. | Limited; high-energy appliances may strain small systems. |
Key Notes:
- On-Grid Systems: The grid backs up the power, so all of your gadgets will always have power.
- Off-Grid Systems: Limited by the system’s ability; choose appliances that use less energy to get the best performance.
Investment vs. Return
It is very important to know the cost and return when choosing between an on-grid and an off-grid solar system. To help you make a choice, let’s look at how much these two methods cost and how much money they make.
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| Aspect | On-Grid Solar System | Off-Grid Solar System |
| Investment | Lower, as it doesn’t require batteries. | Higher, due to the cost of batteries and extra equipment. |
| Return on Investment (ROI) | Faster, usually within 5-7 years. | Slower, typically takes 8-10 years because of higher costs. |
- On-Grid: Cheaper upfront and gives quicker returns.
- Off-Grid: Costs more but provides energy independence.
Which to Choose for Home?
- On-Grid Solar System
Choose an on-grid system if:
- You live in a place where the power grid works well.
- You want lower costs up front and less upkeep.
- Net metering is something you want to use to lower your energy bills.o
- Off-Grid Solar System
Choose an off-grid system if:
- You live in the middle of nowhere, far from the power grid, and the power goes out often.
- You want to be completely energy-free.
- You are ready to spend money on batteries and other energy storage tools.
Last Verdict
Finally, your location, budget, and energy needs determine whether you choose on-grid or off-grid solar. A detailed review of your circumstances can help you select which system is the best fit for your house or business. Either way, both on-grid and off-grid solar solutions help make the future greener and more sustainable. Om Solar Solution is a prominent solar panel installation Lucknow company that provides energy-efficient homebuilders with on-grid and off-grid solar solutions. Om Solar Solution is educating households in Allahabad, Kanpur, Haryana, Varanasi, Kannauj, and villages about solar energy. Our solar professionals can help you navigate renewable technology’s ever-changing maze.