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Quick FAQs About Solar Power Systems

• What is a "grid-tie" system?
• How does a grid-tie system work?
• What size Grid Tie Solar Power System do I need?
• What components make up a solar power system?

Continued Below

For a Detailed System Performance Report, click HERE

Find a certified grid-tied solar power system installer by CLICKING HERE.

For more information about State & Federal rebate programs, please CLICK HERE.

SPECIAL NOTE: Mr. Solar Grid-Tied Pre-packaged Systems use solar panels by Trina Solar and Fronius Inverters. Upon request, custom systems can be designed, using components of your choice. These system do no yet include mounting hardware. Please contact a sales rep for more information sales@mrsolar.com.

• • PRICES ARE BEFORE QUALIFIED REBATES
• • WIRING DIAGRAM & DETAILED OPERATING MANUALS PROVIDED
• • SYSTEMS CAN BE SHIPPED TO ANY U.S. LOCATION
• • SYSTEMS PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE INSTALLATION

Grid-Tie Solar Systems

Sort By: Default Best Selling Newest Items Lowest Price Highest Price	View: 10 20 40 All
2kW Online Solar Grid Tie System INCLUDES: Code: OLS-GTS-8 Price: $3,795.00 Quantity in Basket: none	2.5kW Online Solar Grid Tie System INCLUDES: Code: OLS-GTS-10 Price: $4,650.00 Quantity in Basket: none
3.5kW Online Solar Grid Tie System INCLUDES: Code: OLS-GTS-14 Price: $6,425.00 Quantity in Basket: none	5kW Online Solar Grid Tie System INCLUDES: Code: OLS-GTS-20 Price: $8,250.00 Quantity in Basket: none
6kW Online Solar Grid Tie System INCLUDES: Code: OLS-GTS-24 Price: $9,375.00 Quantity in Basket: none	7.5kW Online Solar Grid Tie System INCLUDES: Code: OLS-GTS-30 Price: $11,590.00 Quantity in Basket: none
10kW Online Solar Grid Tie System INCLUDES: Code: OLS-GTS-40 Price: $15,075.00 Quantity in Basket: none

What is a "grid-tie" system?

A "grid-tie" solar system is the most common method of installing a residential solar power system. Grid-tie systems are connected to the main power grid and are designed to sell power back to the utility company. In an arrangement known widely as "net metering", homeowners get paid for the electricity they generate in excess of what they use. This means that a system that produces 115% of a homeowner's annual electricity needs, the electric utility will pay for the extra 15% that was produced by the system. Homeowners often not only completely eliminate their electric utility bill but they may actually realize a net profit. Net-metering works only on "grid-tie" solar or wind power systems. Because you must be connected to the utility grid, off-grid power systems are not compatible to net-metering programs. These systems can be designed offset any percentage of your kilowatt-hour utility usage.

How does a grid-tie system work?

A grid-tie electrical system is a system that generates electricity and is connected to the main power grid. These systems are typically based on renewable energy sources such as the sun or wind. Solar, or photovoltaic, or PV, grid-tie systems convert sunlight into electric current. Solar panels absorb photons of light from the sun, producing DC current electricity. Another system component, the grid tie inverter, converts this DC current into AC current which can then either be used by electric "loads" in the home or it can be directed onto the main power grid for a credit toward your monthly electric utility usage.

What size Grid Tie Solar Power System do I need?

You can get a rough idea of the size of system you need by following the steps below. While this will give you a working idea, we advise a more formal consultation to determine your system needs.

Step #1

Find a few of your utility bills. On the bill you will see a monthly kilowatt-hour (kWH) rating, which is the amount of power you use each month. If possible, estimate your monthly average to account for the change of seasons (a 12 month average is preferred). Please note, the square footage of your home is not necessarily a good indicator of power usage.

Step #2

Use the map to the right to find the color that most closely represents your location. If you would like a more detailed map of your specific region please visit our solar insolation maps pages.

Step #3

Compare your utility bill to the chart below the map. This is the amount of power each system will produce.

Example

Let's say you consume approximately 870kWh month and live in San Diego, CA. San Diego is between Orange and Maroon on the insolation map, so assume 5.5 sun hours using the chart. A CE24216 will produce 870kWh per month on average throughout the year. Please note, these systems produce more power in the summer than they do in the winter. The numbers found in the chart are one year averages. If you are trying to produce 100% of your needs you will earn a credit in the summer that you will consume during winter months. Over the course of one year your usage should equal zero.

What components make up a solar power system?

1. Solar Panels - Solar panels collect molecules of sunshine, which are little packets of energy, and converts them into an electric current.
2. DC to AC Inverter - DC to AC inverters convert the DC current generated by a solar panel into AC current that can be used to power appliances in your home.
3. Electrical Distribution Panel - This is the panel that feeds all of the homes circuits.
4. AC Loads - Once your solar panels have converted the Sun's light into an eclectric current and that current has been coverted from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC), it can then be used to power your lights and appliances.
5. Electric Meter - Your home solar power system can actually cause your electric meter to spin backwards as it feeds the electricity it generates into the main power grid and you earn credit on your electric bill.
6. Main Power Grid - Once electricity generated by your residential solar power system is directed onto the power grid, it can then be used by someone else and adds to the overall total of kilowatt hours produced by a clean and renewable energy source - the Sun!

Sun Hrs	OLS-GTS-8	OLS-GTS-10	OLS-GTS-14	OLS-GTS-20	OLS-GTS-24	OLS-GTS-30	OLS-GTS-40
6.5	380	475	664	949	1139	1566	2088
6.0	350	438	613	876	1051	1445	1927
5.5	321	402	562	803	964	1325	1767
5.0	292	365	511	730	876	1205	1606
4.5	263	329	460	657	788	1084	1445
4.0	234	292	409	584	701	964	1285
3.5	204	256	358	511	613	843	1124
The Trina Solar 250 Watt solar panel is the work horse of our OLS-GTS series grid-tie solar power system pre-packaged kits. The PV modules are versatile and adaptable, with power output ranging from 240 to 260Wp. Perfect for small and large residential and commercial installations, the TSM-PA05 is your solution for rooftop or ground-mounted grid-tie solar power systems. Using reliable and carefully selected components that are tested at the Trina Solar Center of Excellence, this panel comes with a 25-year performance guarantee of 80% power production.

Grid Tie Solar Power Systems - Put the sun to work for you!

If you're considering adding solar power to your existing energy plan, there are many reasons why it might make sense to install a grid tie solar electric system. Let's examine a few of the advantages.

Reduced Cost Of Installation

With the federal tax incentives for installing solar panels at a generous 30 percent, the savings on your new grid tie solar power system is hard to pass up. Combine that with rebates and tax reductions from the state you live in and it's cheaper than ever to install a solar power green energy solution. Your electric company may also offer rebates and credits on your new system, so be sure to check with them as well. Financially speaking, it's never made more sense to investigate your options regarding solar panel installation.

Sell Electricity Back To The Power Company

Net metering is another advantage of grid tie solar power systems. Net metering is a way for the electric company to measure the amount of excess electricity your grid tied solar system produces and then pay you for that amount. With net metering, if your system makes more electricity than you actually use, your electric meter will run backwards and generate a credit for you. If you need to draw on power from the electric company during times when it's not producing as much electricity, your meter will run normally.

Solar Power Is Better Than Ever

With advances in modern technology and manufacturing processes, combined with the passive nature of solar power systems, like no moving parts and warranties that typically go up to 25 years on panels, you can be sure that the majority of the system you are installing will give you years and years of trouble free service. Additionally, recent changes in solar power technology have increased the efficiency of residential grid tie solar systems to upwards of 15 percent. Just a few short years ago you could count on only 10-12 percent.

To make things even more attractive, manufacturers offer complete grid tie solar kits for the ambitious do-it-yourself types, providing a way to save even more money. These kits typically include the following:

• PV Wiring
• PV Combiner
• Grid Tie Solar Panels
• Mounting Hardware
• DC-AC Inverters
• Complete Instructions, including easy-to-follow video instruction in many cases.

Please note that most power companies will require you to hire a professional electrician to do the actual grid tie. The rest of the installation can be accomplished by the homeowner.