Solar power has been ppower systems with solar storage attached—have become a far more popular option than the traditional systems that are tied to grid power alone. If you’ve already installed a grid-tied system and you are considering switching to a hybrid system for the many benefits it offers, you might be wondering if doing so is even a possibility. Keep reading to find out if it can be done and, if so, how.
Table of Contents
Assessing Your Current System
Before you attempt to make any changes to your system, evaluate it carefully. Check the capacity of your solar panels, the condition of your grid-tied inverter, and the overall efficiency of your setup. Having an in-depth understanding of your system’s specifications can help you deteropular for some time, but in more recent years, hybrid systems—meaning solar mine how to best expand your system to include solar battery storage.
Selecting the Right Battery Storage
Choosing the right batteries to add to your system is crucial. Lithium-ion batteries are popular due to their high energy density and long lifespan, but be sure to compare all of your options and consider their pros and cons carefully. Consider the capacity you desire from your battery bank, and purchase enough batteries to meet your backup power needs.
Upgrading Your Inverter
This is a key consideration for those wanting to change from grid-tied to hybrid solar power. You already have a grid-tied inverter, but this doesn’t allow for connecting a battery bank. To switch to hybrid power, you will need to switch to a hybrid inverter, which can connect you to both the grid and battery storage. These can seamlessly switch between all 3 of your power sources—panels, grid, and batteries—providing you with the benefits of each of them.
Installing Your Batteries
Once you’ve upgraded your inverter, it’s time to connect your battery bank and configure your system for peak efficiency. You can set up your inverter to prioritize battery usage during peak hours or outages, and only use grid power when necessary. This allows you to recharge your battery system off of only solar power or the absolute cheapest energy available from the grid, maximizing your cost savings from your system.
If you’re wishing your solar power system offered you more energy independence and greater savings on your monthly utility bill, switching to a hybrid system may be just the ticket. Keep in mind that you’ll need to upgrade to a hybrid SMA solar inverter before you can connect your batteries. Once this is done, however, you’ll have your own backup power source and will minimize your grid usage.
