The on-grid plant is also known by the name grid connected plant or grid tied plant. This is the most common type of photovoltaic system. Both the grid and the solar panels will provide the electricity if the demand is higher than the power produced by the solar panels. The grid will compensate for the shortfall. If the demand remains low, then the excess power produced will be sent to grid.
1. Cost effective
2. Efficient
3. Does not require expensive batteries or storage devices to store the excess power produced by the panels.
4. The grid behaves as virtual battery, as the excess power produced is sent directly to the grid.
5. With net metering, a lot of money can be saved as the excess power is sold out to the utility.
6. As there is no involvement of storage devices, the maintenance required is also low.
This type of system is not connected to the utility grid, instead a battery bank or storage devices to store the solar power. In an off-grid system, the battery is charged through a charge controller/MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracker) circuitry. The energy stored in the battery is fed to the inverter which in turn feeds the AC load. Thus, an off grid PV system can deliver power even during night with a condition that the battery has enough stored power. So, the system designed should be in such a way that it handles the peak load when the PV array is not able to produce that much amount of power ensuring that there will be continuous supply of power. This is called autonomy of the off grid system, and usually off grid systems are designed for 2 or 3 days autonomy backup, i.e. over sizing of the battery bank and Solar PV system to ensure enough power is available even when there is a week of over cloudy and hazy daylight. (monsoon & winters in India).
The system is suitable with:
1. The places with frequent power cuts and shortage of power.
2. In rural areas or underdeveloped communities, where the grid lines not present to export the excess amount of units produced by the solar PV array.
Hybrid solar systems combine the best from grid-tied and off-grid solar systems. Hybrid solar systems utilize battery-based grid-tie inverters. These devices combined can draw electrical power to and from battery banks, as well as synchronize with the utility grid.
They are able to control and balance the available sources of energy:
1. Reduces Electricity Bill.
2. Can power all devices with quality power all year around.
3. Can be used for backup purpose.
4. Can credit the electricity to KSEB when not in use.
5. Suitable for residence and commercial projects.
6. Can replace Electricity Generators/Normal Inverters.
