Adding solar batteries to your home is one of the most cost-effective ways to increase the effectiveness of your solar panel system. If you already have solar panels, batteries are a clear upgrade. If you're considering installing a solar panel system, batteries are an additional add-on worth considering during your installation. 

Either way, you'll need to make a few decisions about your purchase. While choosing the number and type of batteries for your system will be critical, you'll first need to decide whether you want grid-tied or off-grid batteries. These three questions will help you determine which system will work best for your home.

1. Do You Have An Existing Grid-Tied System?

Solar panels broadly fall into grid-tied and off-grid classifications. Grid-tied systems rely on the power grid for electricity (and allow you to sell power back to the grid), while off-grid systems are fully independent. You have a grid-tied system if your solar panels don't currently supply 100% of your home's electricity needs.

Your current system is the greatest determining factor for the type of battery storage you'll need. If you have an existing grid-tied system and don't plan on making any upgrades, you'll need to use hybrid battery storage. On the other hand, an off-grid system may be worth considering if your current solar panel setup provides 100% of your electricity needs.

2. Do You Want to Upgrade Your Panels?

Can you convert to an off-grid system if you currently use grid-tied solar power? The answer is, "it depends." Solar panel output depends on numerous factors, including everything from the slope of your roof to the number of trees near your home. If your solar panels can't supply 100% of your electrical needs, you'll need to consider upgrading your current for a fully off-grid battery system.

If you're serious about moving fully off-grid, you'll want to discuss your options with a qualified installer before you proceed. There are many options to expand solar panel output, from adding more panels to your roof to building standalone ground-mounted structures. As long as you have the space and budget for these upgrades, you can likely move to off-grid battery storage.

3. Do You Return Electricity to the Grid?

One of the appealing aspects of solar power for many homeowners is the ability to sell electricity back to the grid. If your home produces enough electricity, you may even make a small profit by doing it. Moving your home fully off-grid means disconnecting from the power grid entirely, removing the possibility of selling your electricity back to the power company.

If this is a perk you enjoy, a hybrid system's extra cost and complexity may be worthwhile even if you generate enough electricity to power your home fully. By going hybrid, you'll get all the benefits of off-grid storage while maintaining the connection that allows you to sell power back to the main grid.

Reach out to a company like Harmon Solar for more information.