Would you like to only use clean energy in your home from now on? Are you obsessed with the idea of going “off-grid” and being independent?
If your answer to either of those questions is yes, then you’ve probably considered going solar and breaking away from your local electrical grid.
The question is, should you?
There’s no doubt about it: installing solar panels is one of the best things you can do, both for yourself and the planet. Low electric bills and increased flexibility are just a few perks of having your own “solar grid.”
But as you’ll soon see, that doesn’t always mean you should disconnect your home from your local power company. Keep reading to find out whether or not you should stay connected to the electrical grid when you go solar.
Benefits of Staying Connected to the Electrical Grid
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to discover if solar is better than relying on traditional electrical grids. Getting a residential solar system can decrease or eliminate your electric bill and make you less reliant on utility companies.
But there’s no need to disconnect from the grid to enjoy solar savings.
If you choose to stay connected to your local power grid, you’ll continue to have access to unlimited electricity from the utility company whenever you need it. This is important at night and on cloudy days when there’s not much sun.
On days that you generate too much electricity from your solar panels for you to use, you can sell the excess power to the utility. Depending on your arrangement with them, you can even sell it at peak times when prices are highest.
Perhaps the largest benefit of staying on-grid is that you don’t have to buy as many expensive batteries for storing power.
Going off-grid entirely means you’d need thousands of dollars in backup batteries, and probably a backup generator as well. Without the power company to fall back on, you need multiple expensive batteries to be self-sufficient.
Staying on-grid allows you to benefit from solar while maintaining the perks of an always-on electrical grid. But that doesn’t mean it’s for everyone. Next, let’s talk about some benefits of going off-grid.
Benefits of Disconnecting From the Electrical Grid
The biggest disadvantage of going off-grid completely may be the expensive batteries you’d have to buy and maintain. But some people value their independence so much that, to them, it’s worth it. Others have no choice.
If you plan to live far away from the nearest electrical grid, you’ll have to rely entirely on your solar system for power.
But even if that’s not the case, if you’re passionate about clean energy and the idea of going off the grid, being self-reliant may appeal to you. If you can afford the cost, it can be a freeing feeling to be truly off-grid.
Making Your Choice
As you can see, disconnecting from the electrical grid completely probably isn’t the best choice for most people. But it’s a choice you’ll get to make for yourself when you decide to go solar.
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