Grid-tied, hybrid or off-grid solar: how they differ
Updated on October 4, 2026 · General information: does not replace advice from a qualified professional.
Grid-tied, hybrid or off-grid: what each solar system does during an outage, who it suits, and what kWp, kWh, hybrid inverter and self-consumption mean.
There are three main types of systems for solar panels in Las Terrenas: grid-tied without batteries, hybrid with batteries, and off-grid. A grid-tied system is the simplest way to lower your bill, but it usually shuts down during an outage; a hybrid system lowers the bill and keeps the lights on during outages; an off-grid system aims to do without the grid. This guide defines the key terms and compares the three.
Basic vocabulary
- kWp (kilowatt-peak): the maximum power of the panels, measured under standard laboratory conditions. In French it is written kWc. A 5 kWp array does not produce 5 kW all day: real output depends on sunshine, orientation, tilt, temperature and shade.
- kWh (kilowatt-hour): the unit of energy, the one on your electricity bill. A 1 kW appliance running for one hour uses 1 kWh.
- Inverter: the device that converts direct current from panels or batteries into alternating current for the house. In everyday Dominican usage, "inversor" also refers to a battery backup unit.
- Hybrid inverter: a single device that manages panels, batteries and the grid together. It decides at every moment whether energy goes to the house, to the batteries or, where authorized, to the grid.
- Battery: stores energy for later use. Its capacity is given in kWh, and not all of it is usable (see our guide to lithium or lead-acid batteries).
- Self-consumption: using the energy your panels produce directly. The self-consumption rate is the share of production used on site rather than exported to the grid.
- Net metering (medición neta): the arrangement in which a bidirectional meter records the energy drawn from the grid and the energy exported to it. Its conditions are set by the distributor and the authorities (see our net metering guide).
Grid-tied system, no battery
How it works: panels plus a grid inverter. During the day, solar energy powers the house and the grid supplies the rest. If production exceeds consumption, the surplus can only be exported with the distributor's authorization; otherwise, the inverter can be set to limit export, depending on the equipment.
During an outage: the inverter usually shuts down automatically. This is a safety feature: the system must not send power into a grid where technicians may be working. Even in full sun, the house has no power.
Who it suits: shops, offices and buildings used during the day, or homes where the only goal is to lower the bill at the lowest cost. This is our Grid-tied, no battery package.
If you might add batteries later, say so before the quote: not every grid inverter allows it.
Hybrid system
How it works: panels, a hybrid inverter and batteries, with the house still connected to the grid. During the day, the panels power the house and charge the batteries. At night, the house draws first on the batteries, then on the grid.
During an outage: the hybrid inverter disconnects from the grid and switches to the batteries; during the day, the panels keep recharging them. Depending on the equipment and wiring, backup covers the whole house or only a few priority circuits.
Who it suits: houses and villas that want both a lower bill and an end to outage disruption. This is our Hybrid Comfort package.
If you only need backup, with no panels or just a few, an inverter with batteries may be enough: that is our Backup package.
Off-grid system
How it works: panels, batteries and an off-grid inverter, with no contract with the distributor. Very often a backup generator is added for cloudy spells or consumption peaks.
During an outage: the question does not arise, since the house does not depend on the grid. But everything relies on the system: if the batteries are empty and there is no sun and no generator, there is no electricity.
Who it suits: large villas with air conditioning or a pool seeking maximum autonomy, or places with poor grid service. It requires careful sizing (consumption, cloudy days, large storage) and some energy management. This is our Villa Autonomy package.
Comparison table
| Criterion | Grid-tied | Hybrid | Off-grid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Components | Panels and grid inverter | Panels, hybrid inverter and batteries | Panels, batteries, off-grid inverter, often a generator |
| During an outage | Usually shuts down | Keeps running on batteries | Does not depend on the grid |
| Electricity bill | Lower during the day | Lower during the day and part of the night | No contract with the distributor, but its own costs (batteries, fuel, maintenance) |
| Upfront investment | Lowest of the three | Mid-range | Highest |
| Maintenance | Low | Low to moderate | Moderate to high with a generator |
| Main advantage | Simplicity | Balance of a lower bill and backup | Independence |
| Main limit | No backup | Runtime limited by batteries | Demanding sizing |
| Who it suits | Shops, buildings used by day | Houses and villas | Large villas, places with poor grid service |
How to choose
Ask yourself:
- Your main goal: a lower bill, no more outage disruption, or as much autonomy as possible?
- Your schedule: do you use most electricity during the day (shop, remote work) or in the evening and at night (home, night-time air conditioning)?
- Outages: how long and how often in your area?
- Your roof: do its area, orientation and shade allow enough panels?
- The future: are you planning to add air conditioning, a pool or more batteries?
To get an idea of possible output at your location, public tools such as PVGIS, from the European Commission's Joint Research Centre, provide indicative estimates. Our solar calculator also gives an indicative estimate, and the how we calculate page explains the method. To compare options side by side, see our solar packages.
What to check during the site visit
- Your recent electricity bills: monthly consumption in kWh and contract type.
- When you use electricity and which appliances use the most.
- The roof: area, orientation, shade, condition and how it will be anchored against wind.
- The electrical panel and which circuits need backup.
- A place for the inverter and batteries: shaded, ventilated and dry.
- If you want to export surplus to the grid: the current conditions, to be checked with EDENorte.
- Who does the work. Installations are carried out by THERD SRL or by selected partner installers; the quote always states who does the work, along with manufacturer and installation warranties.
Not sure which system fits? Try our solar calculator or send your quote request and we will message you on WhatsApp.