For many homeowners, the most common choice for a solar system has been an on-grid setup, where solar panel is wired to home's main service panel, supplying home loads first and sending any excess to the grid. It’s typically the most straightforward and cost-effective way to adopt solar. However, there are other options. Off-grid and hybrid systems are increasingly appealing for those who crave greater self-sufficiency, reliable backup during outages, and the chance to further slash energy costs while lowering their carbon footprint.
Deciding between these three systems is deeply associated with your circumstances. Factors such as your location, utility policies, budget, and long-term energy goals all play a role in finding the best fit.
In this guide, we’ll explain the fundamentals of each system, walk through their advantages and drawbacks, so you can have a clear sense of what solution works best for your home.
On-Grid (Grid-Tied) Solar System
An on-grid (aka grid-tied or grid-interactive) solar system connects your PV array to the utility grid through a grid-tie inverter. During sunny hours, the inverter synchronizes with the grid (matching voltage, frequency, and phase) and supplies your home; surplus production flows to the grid and is typically credited on your bill under policies such as net metering. For safety, grid-tie inverters are designed to shut down when the utility goes out (anti-islanding)
How it works, in one line: sunlight → DC power from panels → grid-tie inverter → AC power for your home → excess exports to the grid (credited per local rules).
Pros
- Lowest complexity and usually the most cost-effective entry into solar (no batteries required).
- Can earn bill credits for exported energy where net metering or similar programs exist.
- High overall efficiency because there’s no charge/discharge loss from batteries.
Cons
- No backup in a blackout: anti-islanding rules mean standard grid-tied systems shut off when the grid fails.
- Savings depend on local utility policies and rate structures; weaker net metering or low export credits can reduce financial benefit.
- Exports may be limited by interconnection rules in some areas, which can cap how much you send to the grid, and the surplus energy would be wasted in this circumstance.
Off-Grid Solar System
An off-grid, or stand-alone, solar system operates entirely independently of the utility. In this setup, your home is powered solely by your own solar panels, a battery, and often a backup generator. There’s no connection to the public electricity grid, and every watt has to come from your home sources, and you must manage generation, storage, and consumption in harmony.
Because of the self-contained nature, off-grid systems are most common in remote areas, cabins, or locations where grid access is either unavailable or prohibitively expensive to extend.
Pros
- Complete independence from the utility: you control your own power and aren’t affected by outages or changes in utility pricing.
- No utility bills or reliance on grid electricity: once installed, your energy comes (and is paid for) only from your system.
- Suitable for remote or off-grid locations: ideal when grid extension is not feasible or would be too costly.
Cons
- High upfront cost: because you must size for your full load, you need a large battery capacity and backup sources such as generators.
- No external safety net: if your storage or generation falls short (e.g., during long cloudy periods or equipment failures), there’s no grid backup to bail you out.
- Limited by battery storage: living completely off-grid means you have to manage your energy use carefully to ensure your essentials keep running within the limits of your battery reserve.
Hybrid Solar System
A hybrid solar system (also called solar-plus-storage) combines the best of a grid-tied and off-grid setup. In a hybrid system, your household is connected to the utility grid and has battery storage. When your solar panels generate more power than you need, the surplus can charge batteries; when solar output is low (night, cloudy days), the system can draw from batteries or the grid.
Hybrid systems often use an intelligent controller with a built-in energy management system (EMS) that can manage power flows between PV, battery, and grid seamlessly, deciding when to draw, store, or export to maximize savings and reliability.
Pros
- Seamless backup during outages: unlike a pure on-grid system, a hybrid system can keep loads powered using both solar and battery storage when the utility grid goes down.
- Greater energy freedom: you use more of your own solar generation and reduce reliance on the grid.
- Cost optimization under complex rate structures: in areas with time-of-use pricing or weak net metering, hybrids let you store solar for use during peak rates, avoiding buying expensive grid power.
Cons
- Higher upfront cost: adding batteries increases installation cost significantly over a basic grid-tied system
- Compatibility & upgrade limits: some systems may not work seamlessly with future battery tech upgrades, making retrofits complicated.
- Space and equipment footprint: to host batteries, inverters, and balance-of-system gear, you’ll need more physical space and wiring than a simpler grid-tied installation.
FranklinWH Energy Management and Battery Storage System
The FranklinWH System is the epitome of home energy solution that combines intelligent control, robust battery storage, and integration across solar, grid, and optional generators or EVs. The system is built to support both hybrid and off-grid applications.
Key Advantages
- Massive capacity: industry-leading 15 kWh per battery unit, Scalable up to 225 kWh per aGate.
- Intelligent control via aGate + FranklinWH App: the aGate controller orchestrates power flows (solar, battery, grid, generator) automatically, and you can monitor/adjust behavior through the FranklinWH App.
- Automated energy optimization: it dynamically shifts loads, manages battery charge/discharge, and reacts to time-of-use rates, grid conditions, or outages without constant owner intervention.
- Unique backward and cross-version compatibility: FranklinWH System allows easy storage upgrade without overhauling your existing energy assets, protecting your previous investment.
- Slash energy bills & long-term value: by favoring stored solar during peak periods and exporting surplus when beneficial, the system aims to reduce utility purchases, boost return on investment, and empower unrivaled energy freedom.
Wrapping Up
The choice between on-grid, off-grid, and hybrid solar systems depends on your location, budget, and energy goals. With advanced solutions such as the FranklinWH System, homeowners can combine savings, energy security and reliability, and long-term energy freedom in one package.
