Solar
On-Grid, Off-Grid or Hybrid Solar? Which System Is Right for You
Short answer
On-grid (grid-tied) solar has no batteries, is the cheapest, and shuts down in a power cut. Hybrid solar adds batteries so essential circuits keep running during outages, and suits most Kenyan homes. Off-grid solar is fully standalone with batteries and often a generator, and suits sites with no grid connection.
How each system works
- Grid-tied: Panels feed a grid-tie inverter. Your building uses solar first and the grid for the rest. When the grid fails, the inverter switches off for safety.
- Hybrid: A hybrid inverter manages panels, batteries and the grid. Solar powers the loads, extra charges the battery, and the grid or battery covers the gap.
- Off-grid: There is no grid. Panels charge batteries and an inverter supplies the loads. A generator is often added for long cloudy spells.
Side-by-side comparison
| Grid-tied | Hybrid | Off-grid | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Batteries | No | Yes | Yes |
| Works in a power cut | No | Yes, on backed-up circuits | Yes, it is the only supply |
| Relative cost | Lowest | Medium to high | Highest per kW |
| Cuts grid bill | Yes | Yes | Not applicable |
| Complexity | Simple | Moderate | Highest, needs careful sizing |
| Best for | Daytime users on a stable grid | Homes and businesses wanting backup | Sites with no grid |
How to choose
- If you have no grid, choose off-grid.
- If outages hurt you (lost work, spoiled food, no water pump), choose hybrid.
- If your grid is reliable and you mainly want lower bills, choose grid-tied.
- If you may want backup later, choose a hybrid-ready inverter now and add batteries later.
Grid connection rules
Systems that connect to the Kenya Power network need to follow approval rules. Read our guide on grid-tied solar and net metering.
Common questions
Can I start grid-tied and add batteries later?
Often yes, if you choose a hybrid-capable inverter at the start or plan the system for an upgrade. A pure grid-tie inverter usually cannot run batteries.
What does hybrid mean exactly?
It means the system works with both the grid and batteries through one hybrid inverter, switching between sources automatically.
Do hybrid systems run my whole house in a power cut?
Only if sized for it. Many systems back up essential circuits such as lights, fridge and router, while heavy loads such as geysers stay on the grid side.