If you connect your panels to the grid, you won't be responsible for producing all your own energy. That's not the case if you go off the grid.

What is an off-grid solar system? An off-grid solar system is a self-contained energy system that independently produces and stores electricity.

As their name suggests, off-grid solar panel systems are not connected to the electricity grid. Instead of bouncing excess power to the grid, they store it in solar batteries.

Thinking about going solar? Learn what it means to go fully off the power grid and find out if it’s right for you with ConsumerAffairs.

The author recently installed a complex solar-battery system. Learn how solar inverter is connected to the grid and how each inverter functions when connected or not connected to the grid. Welcome ...

An off-grid system doesn’t connect to the grid. That limits its 24/7 use unless you install the necessary components for your needs.

This means people could have a net-metered, grid-connected solar system and pay the same for electricity as the grid costs.

It takes years for homeowners to break-even on a rooftop solar system. A Pinellas County couple say they wasted three months waiting to be hooked to the grid for a return on their investment.