The Ultimate Guide to On-Grid Solar System

Over the past couple of years, solar power systems have become an ideal energy source for homes and outdoor trips. They're available in different shapes and sizes — but the popular ones include on-grid, off-grid, hybrid, and portable solar systems. While the on-grid solar system connects your house to the electricity grid and solar panels, the off-grid system offers complete independence from the utility grid.

This comprehensive on-grid system guide reveals everything you need to know about these solar solutions, their pros and cons, and how to select the best one for your home. If you are short of time and need a robust charging solution for your off-grid home, Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro might be an intelligent choice. The massive 2160Wh battery capacity lets you power 96% of home appliances for hours.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro
- Features a 2160Wh capacity and 2200W inverter - Compact and lightweight solar generator - Powers 96% of your home or outdoor appliances - Ultra-fast solar charging in only 2.5 hours - Weighs only 43 lbs and has a foldable handle design

What Is An On-Grid Solar System?

The on-grid solar system mainly refers to a solar energy system connected to the main electricity grid. It does not feature an attached battery to store the excess power. That being said, it cannot function during power outages or when the grid malfunctions. They are ideal for locations with little to no power outage instances.

The below on-grid solar system diagram illustrates how the grid-tied solar solution works.

What Are The Pros & Cons of On-Grid Solar Systems?

With the rising cost of utility power, many people are looking for ways to lower electricity expenses and save more. Although on-grid solar systems are popular choices to reduce the cost of electricity bills, they come with their own advantages and disadvantages. This section will focus on the main pros and cons of installing on-grid or grid-tied systems.

Let's start with the advantages of choosing on-grid solar.

Lower Cost: On-grid systems do not require a solar battery, which is relatively expensive. Since they use less equipment, there's a low installation and labor cost.

High Savings with Net Metering: Grid-tied systems use net metering to sell surplus power to the grid at a retail price. Not only will this help you save money on electricity bills, but it also acts as a passive income source.

Easy Maintenance: Choosing an on-grid or grid-tied system eliminates the cost of replacing and repairing batteries. Hence, they are relatively easier to maintain.

Increased Home Value: Many people look for pre-installed solar panels when looking for new houses. An on-grid solar system increases the home value, especially when you plan to sell.

Now, we will reveal some disadvantages of this grid-tied system.

High Upfront Cost: When choosing an on-grid system, you'll have to pay for equipment and installation charges. This makes grid-tied systems more expensive than portable battery backups that do not require any installation.

No Power During Grid Outages: As mentioned above, grid-tied systems lack a battery storage or power station — which means they cannot supply electricity when the grid is down.

How Does An On-Grid Solar System Work?

The on-grid solar system works in two ways — the electricity flows from the grid to the user's house and back from the user's home to the electricity grid. This feature makes on-grid systems more affordable.

Here are the main components of an on-grid solar system and their function:

Solar Panels: Photovoltaic (PV) or solar power panels are installed on the house roof. They convert sunlight to electric energy or DC electricity.

Solar Grid-Tied Inverter: The DC electricity produced by solar panels is then sent to the inverter that converts direct current to alternating current, which powers the electrical appliances.

Net Meter: The primary aim of bidirectional meters is to allow and monitor the two-way power exchange between the home and the utility company.

Array Junction Box: You will need an array junction box when using multiple solar panels. Also known as a DC distribution box, its role is to safely connect solar panels in parallel and prevent electrical hazards.

Mounting Structures: During installation, you will need a structure to hold up the solar panels. It is made from galvanized iron or aluminum to help you mount solar arrays at a certain angle for maximum sunlight exposure.

In the on-grid solar system, the solar panels collect and convert sunlight into DC current — which is then supplied to the inverter for DC to AC conversion. The AC electricity is exported to the net meter, which is further connected to the utility grid and home. You can use the power to charge all your home appliances, and the surplus energy will be sent to the electricity grid.

How Much Does It Cost For An On-Grid Solar System?

There's no single answer to how much an on-grid solar system costs. The exact installation price will vary depending on how much power or energy you use and the size of the solar system.

In addition, the cost of the solar system will depend on the peak sun hours your location receives. For example, if your area receives only 4 hours of sunlight, you will have to install more solar panels to capture sunlight than the site receiving sunlight for 6 hours.

This table reveals peak sun hours and installation price per kW for different states.

Source: What Is On Grid And Off Grid Solar System?

On-Grid Solar System Vs. Other Solar Systems

There are multiple types of solar power systems available — on-grid, off-grid, hybrid, and portable solar generators. As mentioned above, on-grid systems are connected to the utility grid without an external battery. However, that's not the case with off-grid, hybrid, and portable solar systems.

Off-Grid Solar Systems: An off-grid system is not connected to the utility grid. They consist of solar panels and a battery backup, making them utterly reliant on the sun and energy stored in batteries.

Hybrid Solar Systems: A hybrid solar energy system is tied to the grid and has a battery backup to store the surplus power. Though hybrid systems are more expensive, they help you supply power even if the grid goes down.

Portable Solar Systems: Recently, portable solar generators have become a powerful source to charge appliances. They are designed to supply electricity to low and high-power-consuming devices.

One thing that differentiates portable solar systems from others is their portability. You can easily carry these generators to outdoor picnic trips, camping, and more, ensuring you never run out of power.

Portable Solar Systems: Jackery Solar Generators Explained

Jackery is a renowned solar brand that offers high-quality solar panels, solar generators, and power stations. Whether you are looking to power your entire home or a few appliances during camping, Jackery Solar Generators has your back. They are safe, clean, and quiet charging solutions to power everything from small devices like smartphones and laptops to larger ones like refrigerators.

Below are the three best off-grid solar batteries for your home.

Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro

The Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro has a lithium-ion battery pack to provide long-lasting power to 99% of your home appliances. Its robust handle and wheels make the solar generator easy to carry during any outdoor excursion. With a battery capacity of 3024Wh and multiple output ports, Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro can simultaneously charge various appliances.

Customer Review 

"Losing power happens often but doesn't last long. The 3,000 is the best of all. We purchased the solar panels, and they are wonderful. We take them outside monthly and quickly charge one of the Jackery while charging our cell phones at the same time. It's an exercise in ensuring we are both able to keep the power on no matter how long the power is out." — Xskygod.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro 

The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro is built with industry-grade materials to charge 96% of your home or outdoor appliances. It has a battery capacity of 2160Wh with a 2200W output to power eight devices simultaneously. You can fully recharge the battery in only 2.5 hours using 6*Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panels.

Customer Review

"I went camping with the Jackery Explorer 1000 and loved it so much that I wanted the Jackery Explorer 2000. This 2,000 fits all my needs — coffee maker, CPAP, lighting, recharging phones, and more. I like the 2-hour recharging time. Highly recommend buying the Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro." — Robert Reddick.

Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro

Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro is considered " more than a fast solar generator." It has a long lifespan of 10+ years and can be fully recharged in only 1.8 hours. The super quiet and affordable solar generator features multiple output ports like 2*USB-C and 2*100W PD ports to deliver safe and stable charging for laptops, iPads, phones, etc. It weighs only 25.4 lbs, so you can easily carry the solar generator to your outdoor adventures.

Customer Review

"I purchased this power station after Hurricane Ian and lost power for 3 days. This power station is the perfect answer for emergency power that can be used inside during a storm (instead of a gas-powered generator that can't be used until after a storm has passed). I am comforted that I will be prepared if and when another Hurricane or storm comes to Florida." — FL Girl.

On-Grid Solar FAQs

1. How long does an on-grid solar system last?

The lifespan of an on-grid solar system will depend on the materials, weather conditions, and other factors. Jackery offers a wide range of solar panels and generators to charge most home or outdoor appliances. They can last for many years, depending on how you use it. For example, the Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro can last more than 10 years, assuming you use it twice weekly.

2. What size of solar generator do I need?

A typical house uses 5-7kWh, depending on how many appliances you use. Jackery is a well-known manufacturer of solar generators offering a range of battery backups from 240Wh to 24000Wh.

Working Time = Capacity in Wh × 0.85 / Operating wattage of the home appliances

Here is an example where we use the Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro with a battery capacity of 3024Wh to charge an 800-watt consuming coffee maker.

Working Time = 3024Wh * 0.85 / 800W = 3.2H.

3. Is an on-grid solar system worth it?

Yes, an on-grid solar system is worth your money, especially in areas where the grid power is stable and mostly available. However, they won't be very effective in the regions that experience power outages often. That's where off-grid portable battery backup solutions come into the picture. These charging solutions have a battery storage system to store power and charge appliances when the grid is down.

Final Thoughts

On-grid solar systems are a popular charging solution for homeowners looking to incorporate solar systems and reduce expenses. They allow you to considerably cut down your high electricity bills and use a clean source to charge appliances.

If you want a solution to eliminate all the power expenses, consider a portable off-grid solar system like Jackery Solar Generators. Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro is a smart choice to charge 99% of home appliances like refrigerators, air conditioners, heaters, and more.