After installing solar panels, the energy generated from them needs to be converted to power for your home or business. There are a few ways to do this – you can remain connected to the grid, go completely off-grid, or have a hybrid system.

Off-Grid
At Northwestern Electric, we believe that solar power is part of the future. With this renewable, untethered energy, you can power your home without relying on fossil fuel or utility services. With our off grid solar services, clients that live in remote areas, or who long to live a fully independent life, have the opportunity to unplug from utility grid. With solar panels and a battery bank, our clients have found freedom by essentially creating their own electrical generation system. Our off grid solar specialist can help you design a system that is perfectly suited to your specific needs and location. If you are ready to enjoy harvesting your own energy from the sun, Northwestern Electric is the solar energy contractor to call.

Hybrid Solar System
Some people who are interested in solar power gravitate towards the idea of being completely removed from the grid. However, remaining connected to the grid and investing in a battery backup system is beneficial as well. When you’re connected to the grid, you can count on it for backup power in the event that your solar battery runs out of power.

A hybrid system is when your solar panels remain connected to the grid’s power lines and have a backup battery system to store excess power. The sun’s energy absorbed by the solar panels goes through an inverter to create usable electricity. From there, electricity either goes to your home or business, to your battery, or to the grid.

The benefit of a hybrid solar system is that you will always have power in any situation. With back up battery’s, the excess energy that your solar panels create (but your home or business does not use), will be stored in this battery. Then, when the sun is not shining, this battery will provide your power during the night, system blackouts or inclement weather.

With a hybrid solar system, if you were to use up all the power in your battery, you have the ability to draw power from the electrical grid. A hybrid solar system works by sending solar power to your inverter, which then sends energy to power your home or business. Extra energy that is not used to power your home or business goes to your back up battery for storage.

This battery can provide power when your solar panels are not producing energy. After all of those steps, if there is still leftover energy, that energy is sent to the grid.

Grid Tied
Grid-tied solar systems are designed for those who already have electric utility service, but wish to significantly reduce their electric bill. With grid-tie solar systems, you generate electricity when the sun is shining, and sell any excess back to the electric company (where applicable). When the Sun isn’t shining, you just buy power from the grid, same as everyone else.

At Northwestern Electric we offer affordable, custom-designed grid-tie solar power systems that meet your budget and energy needs.

Grid Tied Solar System