Futon Heaven

There is a difference between solar energy in residential use and that electricity produced for customers or used in businesses. The two examples of residential solar energy are “off grid” and “grid tied” – also called net metering.

Off Grid

Off-grid solar energy refers to that power not related to an electric utility or its grid. For this kind of solar energy, power lines do not run to a house but batteries are needed for back-up power storage to cover those hours when there is no sunlight. In the daytime however, the photovoltaic array can store the excess energy in the batteries which is then turned into electricity and given off into the system through the batteries.

In the off grid type of residential solar power systems, there is also need to have a generator which is useful when there is no sunshine as it helps in charging up the batteries rather than use the power from the sun.

Grid Tied

The second kind of solar energy is a net metering system or grid tied, and this type will have power lines connected to a utility company’s electrical system and it does not require batteries for storage. When the sun is out, the electric meter actually spins in a backward direction, while when the sun has gone down, or when there is a pressing need for solar power, the meter spins in the forward direction. This form of residential solar power is administered in a manner quite different from one electric utility company to another with each using its own set of rules and regulations.

There is a lot to recommend using residential solar power in either form since it is a means to get energy that is not only long term, but which is also renewable, and with it, you don’t have to depend any longer on your utility company, and you are also not dependent on foreign governments, and best of all, you don’t need to pay for it. There no doubts that residential solar power is the way to go.