Grid Tie
Grid-Tie systems, also called Straight Line-Tie systems requires only solar panels and an inverter specialized for this application. This option is very popular as it is the least costly, most efficient and the “greenest.” All available energy produced flows into the house breaker-panel. If you are producing more power than you are using, the electric meters spins backward. If you are using more power than you are producing, the meter turns forward. This choice is the cheapest option since it uses the fewest components; a solar array and sine wave inverter. The system budget is then focused mainly on two components allowing a maximum number of panels and therefore maximum energy for the dollar. This type of system is also the most flexible from a design standpoint as it can be scaled to displace any portion or your entire electric bill. With this type of PV installation, however, this system will not produce power if the utility grid goes down, even during sunny times.