How does an islanding solar inverter work?

Your islanding solar inverter works independently from the power grid. If there's a storm or other event that knocks out the main power grid, your solar power system will continue running and providing power to your home. We mention this because many people mistake going solar with going off-grid, but that's typically not the case.

How does a grid-tie inverter work?

Grid-tie inverters know when and when not to deliver power, and they will synchronize power delivery with the grid. This quick and constant process allows your home to have all the power it needs when it needs it, and it will remove your system from the grid when anti-islanding is needed.

Does an off-grid inverter need a battery bank?

One of the features though of an off-grid inverter is it must be installed with a battery bank. You can prioritize the settings such that the inverter feeds power to the grid, or uses the grid to charge the batteries.

How do off-grid solar systems work?

Backup generator (optional): Because off-grid systems don’t have any connection to the grid, they often use backup gas generators and battery systems to ensure there’s an additional power source, just in case. Off-grid solar systems are not for the faint of heart.

What happens if solar islanding isn't prevented?

Here's what could happen if solar islanding wasn’t prevented: The local grid goes down. Your grid-tied home solar power system still produces electricity. Once the panels have supplied electricity to your home, any excess energy flows back into the grid. Meanwhile, utility workers are repairing damaged power lines on the "should-be-dead" grid.

Where is Bouvet Island?

Bouvet Island (/ ˈbuːveɪ / BOO-vay; Norwegian: Bouvetøya [bʉˈvèːœʏɑ]) is an uninhabited island and dependency of Norway. It is a protected nature reserve. It is a subantarctic volcanic island, situated in the South Atlantic Ocean at the southern end of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, and is the world's most remote island.