“Off the grid” are words you hear often in regard to solar panels. While you may read a lot of jargon telling you to free yourself from the electric grid or to disconnect from the grid system, the reality is that most solar panels are actually grid-connected. Phoenix solar experts suggest grid-tied solar panels because they are beneficial for both the owner of the system and for America’s energy infrastructure. Plus, Phoenix solar experts state that grid-connected solar systems are well known for being the most efficient small-scale, photovoltaic power systems.
There are a number of benefits to having grid-connected solar panels. One of the best benefits for homeowners is that they never have to worry when their solar panels do not produce enough energy to power their homes, according to Arizona solar experts. When solar panels are connected to utility power lines they can still pull power from the electric company when needed–and because of net metering homeowners can get any energy they pull at a low cost. On the flip side of this, if the solar panels produce excess energy it is fed back to the utility company as a credit.
Our energy demands are higher than they have ever been. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers our electricity demands have grown by 25 percent since 1990 and the current infrastructure is failing to meet these new demands. Phoenix solar authorities state that grid-connected solar systems are helping to combat the problems that this has caused. The ASCE actually found that “system wide failures” cost us about $25 to $180 billion a year. When our energy infrastructure does not meet energy demands it leads to “power outages and power quality disturbances” that are quite costly, says the ASCE.
Grid-connected solar systems also have a very important impact on the grid itself, as well as on America’s overall energy infrastructure. Phoenix solar authorities state that grid-tied solar panels help stabilize the grid. The main way they do this is by reducing the congestion that occurs at times of peak energy demand. This helps decrease the occurrence of blackouts and brownouts.