3 ms·
I don't know the particular reasons for the battery discrepancy, but going off-grid is pretty complicated (assuming you want to connect to the grid sometimes).
by askvictor 3y ago
I don't know the particular reasons for the battery discrepancy, but going off-grid is pretty complicated (assuming you want to connect to the grid sometimes). Generally, solar and/or battery installations stop working when the grid goes out, so as not to be feeding power into a potentially dangerous downed circuit. I'm not sure of every scenario, but the most common grid+off-grid usage lets you wire a seperate set of outlets for off-grid and on-grid usage. This adds a fair bit to the cost, as well as decreasing convenience.
- zo1 3y agoHybrid inverters have auto shutoff (islanding I think?) so you can merge the grid power with your solar power and there is no difference when the grid is down. Off the shelf, installed, and magically works. It acts as a glorified whole house UPS. Solar is one of those areas where there is a lot of bad info floating around promoted by installers and certain manufacturers (ahem Victron).
- askvictor 3y agoInteresting; it might be different in different jurisdictions, or my information might be out of date.
- bagels 3y agoGoing off grid is easier than keeping the grid around when you have batteries. You need an automatic cutoff that prevents backfeeding to the grid during outages for safety. Off grid you do not have such a constraint.