Installation day: what to expect on your roof
Who comes, what they bring, how long it takes, and what you need to arrange before the crew arrives.
On-grid, hybrid or off-grid?
Most city homes need on-grid; hybrid makes sense where power cuts are long.
Every rooftop system is one of three types, and the choice depends on your power supply more than your budget.
An on-grid system is connected to the electricity network through a net meter. Power you do not use during the day flows to the grid and is credited against your night-time use. It is the simplest and cheapest per kilowatt, and it qualifies for the central subsidy. Its limitation is that it shuts down during a power cut, for the safety of line workers.
A hybrid system adds a battery. It works like on-grid when the power is on, and switches to the battery during a cut, keeping lights, fans and the fridge running. Batteries add cost and need replacing after eight to ten years, so we suggest hybrid where cuts are frequent or long.
An off-grid system has no grid connection at all. It suits farmhouses and remote sites, not city homes.
If you are unsure, start on-grid with a hybrid-ready inverter. A battery can be added later without changing the panels.
