We’ve already talked a bit about grid-tied solar, also called utility-interactive. The vast majority of residential and business solar systems in the United States are grid-tied, in part because it’s often not practical or necessary to cover your electricity demand day and night, day in and day out, with solar and batteries. Grid-tied systems let you draw grid power whenever your demand exceeds what your solar system can provide.

In addition, grid-tied systems are usually designed to save you money by offsetting your total annual electricity usage. This is where net energy metering (NEM) plays a big role.

Many states in the U.S. have some form of NEM that allows your solar system to send excess solar production back to the electrical grid. In turn, you receive bill credits that are applied either monthly or at the end of the year during a process called “true-up.” So, essentially, your utility is buying back your excess power production so that none of it's wasted, helping you get a faster return on your solar investment.

At the end of the year, if your system produced more energy than you consumed for the year, you may get some money back. If you drew more than you consumed, you’ll owe more to your utility. Ideally, at the least, you'll break even. But even if you do owe something in the end, it will be significantly less than you'd pay for energy without solar.

Off-grid solar systems are basically what they sound like: standalone solar systems not tied to the electric utility grid. These systems are commonly found in rural or remote areas without reliable grid access.

Off-grid systems require careful planning. Your home must either be fully electric—including essential appliances—and have a solar system that generates enough energy to power everything at peak demand. The solar also needs to be paired with some form of backup power, such as solar batteries or generators that can power everything at night.

These systems may utilize a combination of power sources and appliances, like wood-burning or propane stoves, to cover your daily energy needs, such as home heating, cooking, hot water, and more.

Pros and cons of off-grid systems

The greatest benefit of being off-grid is that you’ll be energy-independent with a solar system producing your power.

At the same time, this strength can also be a weakness if you experience an issue with your solar system. The grid provides protection from system failures, similar to how backup batteries provide protection from grid failures.

Not being grid-tied also means you won’t get any return for excess power generation like you would with a grid-tied system and NEM from your utility.

Also, if your system is hybrid and includes propane or other gas-powered appliances, you will need a second energy source for your home, which makes it more complicated. So, for many off-grid homeowners, it makes sense to have a home and system that’s fully electric, relying on solar plus battery storage and a backup generator to ensure continuous power.

Enphase off-grid solutions

Enphase off-grid systems offer complete independence from utility infrastructure. These systems include an IQ8 Series Microinverter under every solar panel, IQ Batteries, and an IQ System Controller 3G providing seamless generator integration.

All components of an off-grid Enphase system work harmoniously to power your home and charge the IQ Batteries as efficiently as possible. Smart generator integration optimizes energy usage to minimize fuel consumption, and the Enphase Power Control feature ensures a stable microgrid and prevents excess power backfeed into the generator.

Our configurations are ideal for homeowners who need a clean, resilient, and self-sufficient energy supply, especially in rural or underserved areas.

An Enphase-certified installer can properly size an off-grid system with enough power to handle regular and inrush currents for larger appliances like air conditioning or pool pumps.

Portable batteries or generators are flexible power sources you can charge using solar panels, the grid, or your vehicle, and easily take with you wherever you want or need power. This makes them a great solution for powering essential appliances during a power outage. They range in size from 400 watt hours (good for basics like charging phones and laptops) to 4,000 watt hours (or 4 kWh) for more power-hungry needs.

Enphase offers the 1.5 kWh IQ PowerPack 1500 portable energy system for use at home or on the road. This rugged, weatherproof unit is great for off-grid adventures or power outages, keeping your appliances, phone, laptop, lights, and more charged and running. The sturdy IQ Cart makes taking the PowerPack with you even easier.

Safe to use in almost any weather, the IQ PowerPack 1500 is the only portable power station certified to UL 2743 and UL 9540A for safe and reliable operations indoors and out.

Built-in Enphase microinverters add an extra layer of resilience to ensure you get the most out of the battery, which you can charge from the grid, your vehicle, or with one or two foldable solar panels

You can also monitor and control the Enphase IQ PowerPack 1500 remotely from any smart device with the Enphase App, which also enables over‑the‑air (OTA) system updates and troubleshooting notifications. The IQ PowerPack 1500 and IQ Portable Panels come with a 5-year limited warranty.

Power your devices with:

4 x AC 120 V outlets

1 x DC 12 V output

4 x USB-A outputs

2 x USB-c outputs

Learn more about the IQ PowerPack 1500

Balcony solar systems are mostly found in Europe, but there’s growing interest in the United States.

Balcony solar systems allow those who live in apartments or other spaces that don’t have access to a rooftop for solar to leverage clean energy and reduce costs and carbon footprints. They’re essentially small solar systems that fit nicely on a balcony, terrace, or other small space and provide enough energy to power the basics in your living space.

Solar pool heaters offer a low-cost way to heat your pool. They work by pumping pool water through solar collectors, which heat the water and then return it to the pool.

In hotter climates, it can work in the opposite direction, circulating water overnight to cool it for the next day.

Solar pool heater systems generally include a solar collector, pump, and an automatic or manual flow control valve. Collectors come in either glazed (more expensive) or unglazed, with colder climates doing best with glazed collectors.

The payback period for solar pool heating systems varies depending on the cost of conventional heating. They also typically last longer than gas and heat pump pool heating systems.

While this guide mainly focuses on residential solutions, it’s worth noting that Enphase also offers robust commercial energy systems. These systems use similar technology to residential systems but at a larger scale: dozens or even hundreds of panels on the roof of a hospital, hotel, school, or any other building where safety and performance are paramount.

Enphase Energy Systems for businesses lower grid reliance, save money on operating costs, and allow you to scale for future energy needs. Enphase microinverters used in commercial systems feature an all-weather NEMA 6 rating, and their double-insulated, corrosion-resistant polymer housing means they’re rated to withstand just about anything Mother Nature can throw at them. In fact, FEMA recommends this technology to withstand severe weather like hurricanes.

Learn more about Enphase commercial solar solutions