Design
Expertly designed to connect your solar system directly to the utility grid, our grid-tied solutions maximize energy efficiency, reduce your electricity bills, and ensure a seamless integration with your home or business.
Installation
Our professional team ensures safe, efficient installation of your grid-tied solar system—optimized for performance, code-compliant, and seamlessly integrated with your existing electrical setup.
Interconnection
We handle the complete interconnection process—coordinating with your utility provider to ensure your solar system is safely connected, fully approved, and ready to deliver reliable clean energy to the grid.
Make sure and get the best of both worlds with Grid Tied Solar
With the ever-increasing price of utility power and solar equipment becoming more efficient and affordable, grid-tied solar remains in high demand. At Greenwired, we understand that navigating the different types of products, financing, and installation methods can be challenging and confusing to home and business owners.
Our award-winning team, recognized for two years running as the best in Humboldt, will guide you from initial system design to installation, sign-off, and interconnection. Explore our portfolio of projects, from high-efficiency homes to large commercial installations and micro-grids.
Ready to Start Saving with Grid-Tied Solar?
Considering a grid-tied solar system for your home, dealing with high electricity bills, or simply exploring ways to reduce your carbon footprint while saving money? Our experienced team is ready to help you harness clean, renewable energy. We put your savings goals first and are dedicated to delivering reliable, high-performance systems from initial design to final interconnection.
Getting started is easy—just complete the short form and one of our knowledgeable grid-tied solar specialists will reach out to learn more about your energy needs.
We'll answer your questions, evaluate your roof and electrical setup if necessary, and design the most effective system to maximize your energy production and utility savings year-round. Don't let rising electricity costs continue draining your budget—take the step toward energy independence. Fill out the form and let us create your custom solar solution!
(Need solar or HVAC service? Complete our service request form here.)
Grid Tied Solar Considerations
Limited battery storage
Be selective and choose only the things you will need during the power outage. Outages often happen during storms when there is little solar power coming onto the system, so we need to rely on limited battery storage. During these times, it’s best not to waste stored energy!
Greenwired Recommends:
- Power for the heating system: (Fans, pumps, and controls) to keep the heat on.
- General lighting: Choose a few lights in your home or business that will keep the space lit through the storm.
- Refrigeration: Keep the fridge and freezer on to keep your food fresh.
- A few standard power outlets: For charging cell phones, keeping radios or TVs on (for public safety announcements), and other emergency appliances.
- Health equipment: Power for any essential health equipment (oxygen machines, etc.)
- Security systems: Keep your home and family safe when the power goes down.
Design a battery bank
To ensure reliable backup power during an outage, it’s essential to design a battery bank that can support your critical loads for the desired duration. Begin by identifying the specific appliances and systems you want to keep running—such as lighting, refrigeration, communication devices, medical equipment, or internet routers—and determine their combined power consumption in watts. Once you have this total, multiply it by the number of hours you’ll need backup (we recommend planning for at least 12 hours) to calculate your total energy requirement in watt-hours (Wh).
For example, if your critical loads consume a combined 500 watts and you want them to operate for 12 hours, you'll need a battery bank capable of storing at least 6,000 Wh (or 6 kWh) of usable energy. It’s also important to factor in system inefficiencies and a margin of safety—typically around 20%—to account for inverter losses, depth of discharge limitations, and future needs. Choosing the right battery type (e.g., lithium-ion, AGM, or lead-acid) and configuring them correctly—whether in series, parallel, or a hybrid setup—will help ensure a dependable and efficient backup power solution.
Chose a battery
When setting up a grid-tied solar system with battery backup, it's crucial to choose a battery-based inverter that can handle both the output capacity of your solar array and the total power demand of the loads you intend to run during an outage. The inverter serves as the heart of your backup system, converting DC power from your batteries and solar panels into usable AC electricity for your home. Selecting an inverter with the appropriate wattage and surge capacity ensures that your essential appliances and devices will function reliably when grid power is unavailable.
In addition to selecting the right inverter, you'll need a licensed electrician to install a critical loads panel—a dedicated subpanel that separates out the essential circuits you want powered during an outage. This might include lighting, refrigeration, heating/cooling equipment, medical devices, or internet connectivity. The electrician will also integrate your AC-coupled inverter system with your home’s electrical infrastructure, ensuring safe operation and code compliance.
Once installed, you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing your most important household systems will stay up and running—even when the grid goes down. It's a smart investment in both energy independence and emergency preparedness.
Purchase your system upfront
You’ll pay the upfront cost of your system and pay $0 for the electricity produced from your system, saving money every month.
Keep in mind you will get a 26% federal tax credit applied to your income taxes (available through 2019). Return on investment (ROI) for a system calculated at 25 years can range from 8 to 12% (ROI varies depending on the customer and their usage).
Finance your solar system:
By partnering with a financial institution (yours or one recommended by Greenwired), you can borrow the total cost of the solar system at a rate between 3 to 6%.
You still receive the 26% federal tax credit applied to your income taxes, and you receive an ROI for a system calculated at 25 years that can range from 8 to 12% (ROI varies depending on the customer and their usage).
Greenwired is proud to partner with Ygrene Works, offering no money down, 100% PACE financing for your solar project.
How does Grid-Tied Solar work?
Grid-tied solar panel systems work in concert with the established electric grid. These systems work well when you have the convenience of a nearby utility grid power and want to tap into renewable energy sources.
Simple grid-tied systems require no costly batteries for storage and are easily installed, making solar power a simple, economical, and ecological investment.
A change in wiring or appliances in your home or business is not needed for a grid-tie solar array. The system requires a solar array on your roof or somewhere nearby, in direct sunlight, and an inverter that will allow it to interface with the utility grid.
By interfacing the system with the utility grid, you will either supply power to your home if you need it or push your meter backward to use the energy later. Saving money while saving the planet by producing your power is a win-win.
What if the power goes out at night, or during a storm?
By adding batteries to your grid-tied solar system, we can power your home without relying on the electric grid.
This way, when the power goes out, you still have power.
There is added cost and complexity to combining batteries to a grid-tied system. However, it allows system owners the confidence to know that whatever happens, they will still be able to keep the lights on with or without the utility grid by using the sun’s energy.
Do you already have a grid-tied solar system and want to add battery backup to be prepared for the next power outage? No problem. By working with your grid-tied system, Greenwired can add a battery bank by adding batteries and a battery-based inverter.
