Decision guide
Compare & choose your system
See all three architectures side by side, then answer four quick questions to get a recommendation.
| Feature | On-Grid | Off-Grid | Hybrid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grid connection | Required | None | Required |
| Batteries | No | Yes — large | Yes — moderate |
| Works in outage | ❌ No | ✅ Always | ✅ Critical loads |
| Relative cost | $ (lowest) | $$$ (highest) | $$ |
| Typical payback | 3–6 years | vs. grid extension / diesel | 6–10 years |
| Inverter type | Grid-tie | Stand-alone + charge controller | Hybrid (or grid-tie + battery inverter) |
| Sized from | Annual kWh | Load table, worst month, autonomy | Annual kWh + critical/night loads |
| Maintenance | Very low | Medium (battery care) | Low |
| Best for | Cities with reliable grid & net metering | Remote homes, farms, telecom sites | Unreliable grid, TOU tariffs, backup needs |