Are you getting overwhelmed by all the technical terms surrounding solar? Wondering what type of system you need? Don’t worry—you’re not alone.
At SolarTherm UK, we’re asked this all the time:
“What type of solar PV system should I install?”
The good news? You don’t need to be a technical expert—we’re here to break it down and help you make an informed, stress-free decision.
Here’s a simple guide to the three main types of solar PV systems, what they mean, and how to choose the right one for your home.
On-Grid Solar Systems
An on-grid solar system is when your solar PV system is connected to the National Grid. It’s the most common and affordable system for domestic and commercial properties. It’s the perfect system for households already connected to the grid but looking to reduce their bills and carbon footprint.
As your solar panels capture the sun’s energy, your solar inverter will either direct the current into your property to be used and diverts excess energy back into the grid where you receive payments through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). The main advantage of an on-grid solar system is knowing your power will always be backed up by the grid for when you’re not generating enough or at night.
Unfortunately, as your system is connected to the grid, in the event of a power cut, your solar PV system will also cut out to protect engineers working on the grid to get it back up and running.
Off-Grid Solar Systems
An off-grid solar PV system is perfect for those who aren’t currently connected to the grid or wish to be completely energy independent. Your off-grid system will be connected to a generator or other forms of renewable energy to generate electricity around the clock and ensure your battery is always fully charged.
The main benefit of an off-grid solar system is having no electricity bill. As you are not connected to the grid, an off-grid system is even viable in the remotest of locations, allowing you to be completely self-sufficient wherever you choose to live.
Unfortunately, due to the components needs to create an off-grid solar PV system, they can work out more expensive than an on-grid system. They are also more complex to design as the size of the system and batteries need to cover all your energy needs.
Hybrid Solar Systems
A hybrid solar PV system gives you the best of both worlds – on-grid security of having power around the clock and battery storage to reduce the amount of energy exported back to the grid or imported in.
The main advantage of a hybrid solar system is that you are storing your excess energy generated for use later. A hybrid solar system also allows you to have an Emergency Power Supply (EPS) installed, giving you power in the event of grid failure. A hybrid system is perfect for households that experience regular power cuts and those that have higher evening usage.
While a hybrid system is more expensive than an on-grid system, it is a lot more affordable than an off-grid system. Battery storage is also modular – allowing you to add more if required later.
Another great advantage of a hybrid solar PV system is that because your system is still connected to the grid you can benefit from lower off-peak tariffs for charging your battery and still benefit from exporting electricity to the grid during the day (you can earn up to 15p per kWH exported through SEG tariffs and pay as little as 7p per kWh for off-peak charging).
So, Which Solar PV System is Right for You?
Every solar PV system is unique, there is no ‘one-size fits all’ when it comes to solar, that’s why at SolarTherm UK we custom design your system specifically for your home, energy usage and future energy needs.
At SolarTherm UK we offer a free home visit consultation, where we will walk you through every option to ensure you get the perfect system for your home and lifestyle.
