Solar Education & Equipment
Solar 101
Understand the three main types of solar systems — grid-tied, hybrid, and off-grid — and find the right fit for your home or business.
Solar 101, by the numbers
The basics at a glance
Three system types, one honest path to the right fit for your property.
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System types we compare
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Energy-flow steps per system
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Right-fit path we help you pick
The Science, Simplified
Three Ways to Go Solar
Every solar system converts sunlight into electricity — but how it stores and distributes that energy makes all the difference.
Grid-Tied Solar
The most popular choice for homeowners and businesses
How It Works
- 1Solar panels convert sunlight into DC electricity
- 2An inverter converts DC to AC power for your home
- 3Excess energy flows to the utility grid, earning NEM credits
- 4At night, you draw power from the grid seamlessly
Advantages
- Lowest upfront cost — no battery required
- Simple installation and maintenance
- Earn credits for excess energy via NEM 3.0
- Fastest payback period of any system type
Considerations
- No backup power during grid outages
- System shuts down during blackouts for safety
- Export credits reduced under NEM 3.0 vs. NEM 2.0
Best For
Homeowners and businesses looking for maximum savings with the lowest upfront cost. Ideal in areas with reliable grid power.
A grid-tied system connects directly to your utility grid. Solar panels generate electricity during the day, powering your home and sending excess energy back to the grid for credits under NEM 3.0. At night or on cloudy days, you draw from the grid as usual.
Get a QuoteHybrid Solar + Battery
The best of both worlds — savings and backup power
How It Works
- 1Solar panels generate electricity and charge your battery during the day
- 2A hybrid inverter manages power flow between solar, battery, and grid
- 3During outages, the battery automatically powers essential circuits
- 4During peak hours, stored energy reduces your utility bill
Advantages
- Backup power during outages and PSPS events
- Maximize self-consumption under NEM 3.0
- Time-of-use optimization — avoid peak rates
- Battery qualifies for California SGIP rebates
Considerations
- Higher upfront cost than grid-tied only
- Battery capacity limits backup duration
- Requires more complex installation
Best For
Homeowners in fire zones, PSPS-prone areas, or anyone who wants energy independence without going fully off-grid. Also ideal for maximizing NEM 3.0 savings.
A hybrid system pairs solar panels with battery storage while staying connected to the grid. During the day, solar charges your battery and powers your home. During outages, the battery kicks in automatically. During peak rate hours (4–9 PM), you discharge stored energy instead of buying expensive grid power.
Build Your Hybrid SystemOff-Grid Solar
Complete energy independence — no utility connection
How It Works
- 1Solar panels charge a large battery bank during daylight hours
- 2An off-grid inverter manages all power for your home
- 3Battery bank provides power through the night and cloudy days
- 4Optional generator integration for extended low-sun periods
Advantages
- Complete energy independence — no reliance on the utility grid
- No grid connection required — ideal for remote properties
- Immune to utility rate increases, outages, and PSPS events
- Full control over your energy production and consumption
Considerations
- Highest upfront cost due to larger battery bank
- Requires careful energy management and sizing
- No NEM credits — you can't sell excess back to the grid
- May require backup generator for extended cloudy periods
Best For
Rural properties, remote locations, or homeowners seeking complete independence from the utility grid. Requires careful system sizing to ensure year-round reliability.
An off-grid system operates entirely independently from the utility grid. Solar panels charge a large battery bank that powers your home 24/7. A backup generator may be recommended for extended cloudy periods. This is the ultimate in energy independence.
Discuss Off-Grid OptionsSide-by-Side Comparison
| A quick reference to help you decide which system type is right for your situation. | Grid-TiedThe most popular choice for homeowners and businesses | HybridThe best of both worlds — savings and backup power | Off-GridComplete energy independence — no utility connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| System | |||
| Grid Connection | Required | Connected (optional) | None |
| Battery Storage | No | Yes | Yes (large bank) |
| Backup Power | No | Yes | Yes (full home) |
| Cost & value | |||
| Upfront Cost | Lowest | Moderate | Highest |
| Best ROI | 5–8 years | 6–10 years | 10–15 years |
| Credits & fit | |||
| NEM 3.0 Credits | Yes | Yes (optimized) | N/A |
| Best For | Budget-focused | Resilience + savings | Full independence |
| Get a Quote | Build Your Hybrid System | Discuss Off-Grid Options | |
What Are the Power Stacks?
Pre-engineered solar packages where every panel, inverter, and battery is matched for peak performance, warranty alignment, and domestic content compliance. Every component is American-made.
How a Power Stack Works
The Essential
Smart savings. Proven performance. Best-value American-made.
What's Inside
Solar Panel
Mission Solar MSX10-435HN0B 435W
Inverter
Enphase IQ8HC-DOM Microinverter
Battery
Recommended Pairing
Franklin aPower 2
AC-coupled Enphase batteries pair seamlessly with the IQ8HC — one app, one ecosystem.
Also Compatible
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Compatibility verified by Solar CCS engineering
Made in
San Antonio, TX + Austin, TX
Equipment Origin
Made in USA
Best for
Budget-conscious homeowners wanting reliable savings
Grid-Tied
Solar panels feed power directly to the grid through your inverter. You offset your electricity bill through net metering — the simplest and most affordable solar setup.
Available in
Hybrid
Solar plus battery storage. Store excess energy for evening use or power outages. Your system works with the grid but can run independently when it goes down.
Available in
Off-Grid
Complete energy independence. Your solar array and battery bank power your entire home with no utility connection. Requires oversized system and storage.
Available in
Equipment from brands that will still be here in 25 years
Keep exploring
Where to go next
From the hardware to your quote — here’s how to go deeper.
California Solar Guides
Ready to See the Hardware?
Every Power Stack runs on equipment we've sourced, tested, and stand behind. Browse the exact panels, inverters, and batteries inside each tier.
Ready to take control of your energy costs?
Get a complimentary solar assessment from a GC-licensed team with 30+ years of construction expertise. No pressure, just honest numbers.