Solar Switching on-grid to Off-grid

[ggunn]

The whole point of this thread was about avoiding the fixed monthly charge.

To the OP: Good luck with that.

 

[pv_n00b]

Yes, but with some solar and ESS systems it's not that straightforward to get them to play nice with a generator.

True for grid-tied backup systems. Off-grid systems are designed to integrate generators. Once again, grid tied with battery backup is not an off grid system, the designs are very different and the components are different. It is easier and less expensive to design an off-grid system from scratch than to try and convert a grid-tied battery backup system to true off-grid.

 

[pv_n00b]

The whole point of this thread was about avoiding the fixed monthly charge.

That was part of it, then the OP suggested that a grid-tied battery backup system would work as an off-grid system simply by disconnecting the service. And here we are.

 

[Peter Evans]

As we already knew that utility companies have implemented the NEM 3.0 to their advantages while Solar companies are trying to counter it by getting homeowners to use storage batteries to store their energy for self consumption rather than selling to them at lowest rate.
It seems that the utility companies are now trying to add a fixed connection cost to add to their profits. That said, shouldn't we be better to go off-grid I supposed?

My understanding is because of anti-islanding and also of micro-grid technology we could still utilized our own solar energy when the grid is down. That said, can't we simply get rid of the grid-tied connection all together to our own advantage?

My observation is if we toggle off the main breaker in the Main Service Panel while we still have our solar backfeed breakers connected, and with micro-grid already in place, shouldn't we be self-independent? Then call the Utility company and request a Disconnect. Does that make sense?

You are exactly right. But you simply, easily, and automatically disconnect the service line in the main panel. You don't ever call the utility company for anything related to installations, disconnections, or "tying anything in", that would be the worst mistake anyone could possibly make. Also, entirely off-grid is not necessary. Your transfer of (in my case) $5400 per year into a $20 per month bill to run some yard lights is good enough, allowing you to keep your utility company as a minor back-up...as it should be.