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The transition from burning fossil fuels like coal and natural gas to generate electricity to renewable energy sources like wind, hydropower, and solar is a global priority.
Both on the power grid and industrial level — and on a much smaller scale.
Solar photovoltaics are by far the most widely used grid-connected renewable energy system for residential use.
But for some homeowners, small wind turbines and microhydropower may be viable alternatives.
Wondering what grid-tied electricity generation system is the best choice for you?
Read on to find out.
What Are Grid-Connected Renewable Energy Systems?
All currently available sources of renewable energy are, by nature, intermittent.
Turbines don’t generate electricity when there’s no wind.
Solar panels don’t work at night.
Intermittency is a challenge both at the residential level and at a utility-scale.
Wind farms, hydro turbines and solar farms generate massive amounts of electricity to feed the power grid.
Utilities must either store the electricity solar panels and turbines produce for times when demand or supply or supplement renewable energy with nuclear power
or fossil fuels.
If you want to switch to generating all or part of your household electricity with renewable energy, you’ll face a similar challenge.
One option is to store the electricity you generate with solar panels or a small wind turbine in batteries for later use.
The other alternative is to connect your clean residential system to the utility grid.
How Do Grid-Connected Renewable Energy Systems Work?
Residential solar power, small wind energy, and microhydropower systems solve the challenge of intermittency by connecting to the utility grid.
The mechanics of how solar, wind, and hydropower systems tie to the grid differs based on the type of system you choose.
But the basic principles are the same.
For example, with a residential photovoltaic (PV) solar power system, your home runs on the electricity captured by PV modules, like solar panels or shingles.
When your consumption exceeds the electricity supply from your solar power system, a bidirectional meter or transfer switch automatically toggles to draw electricity from the grid.
In some locations, you may be eligible for net metering or net sale and purchase agreements with your local utility company.
Net metering is a billing mechanism that allows you to sell and transmit the electricity you don’t consume directly to the grid.
You’re unlikely to make a profit from net metering, but it can help defray the costs of electricity that you consume from the grid and decrease your solar payback period.
Grid-connected renewable energy systems typically cost less upfront than off-grid power solutions.
Unfortunately, no matter which type of on-grid system you choose, they all have a substantial drawback.
Grid-tied solar, wind, and hydro electric systems automatically shut down during a blackout and must remain offline until power is restored to the grid.
If one of the reasons you’re investing in clean, renewable power is to provide home energy security for you and your family, a hybrid solar system with battery backup is a much better solution than being tied to the grid.
Different Types of Grid-Connected Systems
For most individuals, families, and small businesses, solar photovoltaic grid-tied, hybrid, or off-grid systems are the best choice for generating electricity from a renewable energy source.
However, depending on your location and other factors related to your property, small wind turbines or microhydropower could be viable options.
All three types of system may be eligible for the Residential Clean Energy Credit, often called the Federal Solar Tax Credit.
Let’s take a closer look.
(Source: Energy.gov)
Microhydropower
If you have a river or other fast moving body of water running through your property, a small hydropower system may be able to power at least part of your home.
Microhydropower systems can produce up to 10-kilowatts of electricity but, according to the Dept. of Energy, most “generate up to 100 kilowatts.”
Microhydropower turbines and generators are typically sold as a package and by professional installers.
(Source: Green Mechanic)
Small Electric Wind Systems
Wind is an abundant resource in many parts of the United States and utility-scale turbine farms generate an increasingly significant portion of the nation’s electricity.
However, small wind electric systems for residential or small business use are only viable for a tiny segment of property owners.
The US Department of Energy estimates that you need a minimum of one acre of unobstructed land to install a wind turbine that has the potential to produce 5kW-15kW of electricity output.
That pretty much rules out anyone in urban areas.
Even on large plots of land, zoning and building permissions for wind turbines are strict for many reasons, including the elevation required and the substantial footprint.
If none of the above restrictions apply, a small electric wind system could be a workable option.
Solar Photovoltaic
At the utility-grid level, wind and hydropower generate more electricity than solar photovoltaic by a considerable margin.
U.S. utility-scale electricity generation by source, amount, and share of total in 2023
| Energy Source | Billion kWh | Share of Total |
| Total – all sources | 4,178 | |
| Fossil Fuels (Total) | 2,505 | 60% |
| Nuclear | 775 | 18.6% |
| Renewables (Total) | 894 | 21.4% |
| Wind | 425 | 10.2% |
| Hydropower | 240 | 5.7% |
| Solar Photovoltaic | 162 | 3.9% |
| Other Renewables (Solar Thermal, Geothermal, Biomass, etc.) | 67 | 1.6% |
However, when it comes to residential clean energy systems, it’s not even close.
Cumulative residential solar energy capacity installed in the United States from 2010 to 2022 (in megawatts)
(Source: Statista)
As you can see, residential grid-connected, off-grid, and hybrid solar photovoltaic systems have seen explosive growth in the last decade.
Small wind energy and microhydropower systems provide only a fraction of the 30,000 megawatts of electricity solar panels generate for homes.
The popularity of solar photovoltaic systems for residential applications is largely due to their ease of installation, affordability, flexibility, and minimal regulations regarding their use.
Unlike small wind turbines and microhydro systems, many off-grid and hybrid solar power solutions don’t require professional installation or permission from government agencies.
However, all grid-connected renewable energy systems require professional installation and the cooperation of your local utility company.
We’ll get into the various additional requirements for each type of system below.
What Equipment Is Needed for Grid-Connected Renewable Energy Systems?
All renewable energy systems require:
- Adequate supply of the requisite power source: wind, hydro, or peak sunlight
- A means of capturing energy: e.g., wind and hydro turbines or solar panels
- Balance of system to convert mechanical, rotational, or photovoltaic power into electricity and condition it for use by the consumer and (potentially) to be sent back to the grid
- A reliable connection to the utility grid
- Safety equipment
- A net meter, bidirectional meter, smart meter, or other instrument compliant with your utility provider
- Zoning and building permits
The actual components used in each type of system vary by energy source.
Here’s a summary of the typical components used in each.
Microhydropower System Components
- Water conveyance: A channel or pipeline to intake water and deliver it to the powerhouse
- Turbine, pump or weatherwheel: Captures rotational energy from flowing water
- Alternator: Transforms rotational power into direct current (DC) electricity
- Inverter: Converts DC to 120V or 240V AC (household) electricity
- Regulator: Monitors and controls the generator
- Cables and wiring: Transmits electricity to your home
(Source: Green Mechanic)
Small Wind Electric System Components
As the diagram above shows, even small horizontal wind turbines have a substantial number of components.
Rather than describing what each individual part does, let’s focus on the essentials.
- Blades and rotor: The distinctive propeller-shaped turbine blades and rotor of are spun by the wind to produce mechanical energy.
- Pitch
- Brakes
- Low-speed shaft
- Gearbox
- Alternator (Generator): The alternator (or generator) works in a similar way to its equivalent in hydroelectric systems. It converts mechanical energy into electricity.
- Wind vane
- Nacelle
- High-speed shaft
- Yaw drive
- Yaw motor
- Tower: To take advantage of the wind resource at your location and make a small wind electric system viable, the DoE says, “Your turbine needs to be sited upwind of any buildings and trees, and it needs to be 30 feet above anything within 300 feet.”
Solar Photovoltaic System Components
- Photovoltaic modules (solar panels or shingles): PV cells — typically made from monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon — capture sunlight and transform it into electricity using the photovoltaic effect.
- Solar Inverter
- Solar battery*: Stores DC electricity for use when your consumption exceeds production or for using during a blackout. Sealed lead acid (SLA), lithium-ion (Li-ion), and lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4/LFP) solar battery chemistries are the most common with LFP offering the best performance.
- Charge controller*: Regulates storage, prevents under and overcharging, and optimizes battery efficiency
- Battery management system*: Maximizes battery performance and lifespan.
- Transfer switch or Smart Home Panel for integration with your home circuit board
- Auto-disconnect for power outages (or auto-switchover for hybrid systems)
- Bidirectional or smart meter
- Mounting hardware for rigid solar panels
- Cables and wiring
*For hybrid solar + storage systems
What Are the Planning and Installation Requirements for Grid-Connected Renewable Energy Systems?
Connecting a wind, hydro, or solar power system to the utility grid has its benefits.
It resolves the challenge of the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources — except during blackouts.
The fact that all grid-connected renewable energy systems must either shut down or auto-switch to battery power during an outage gives a clear indication of the dangers of an unstable or faulty connection to the utility grid.
Most grid-connected renewable energy systems are bidirectional.
You consume power from the grid when your electricity product is insufficient AND you transmit electricity to the utility when you generate more than you need.
If you don’t supply electricity back to the grid through dual or net metering, any excess power your system produces simply goes to waste.
In a blackout, the transmission of electricity through the power lines from grid-tied systems could injure or kill workers trying to restore power or cause further damage to the utility infrastructure.
Off-grid and hybrid solar generators and portable power stations don’t require a direct connection and in many instances don’t require the involvement of your utility provider or planning authorities.
However, bidirectional grid-connected renewable energy systems are strictly regulated and typically require utility company approval, building permits, and zoning permission.
Regulations vary by location, but here’s a brief overview of what you can expect.
Requirements for Microhydropower Systems
If you have a river or other fast-moving body water flowing through your property, microhydro might be an option — if local regulations allow it.
You can find comprehensive instructions for planning a microhydropower system on the Department of Energy’s website.
(Source: energy.gov)
You can estimate the amount of electricity you can generate from flowing water on your property by measuring the following:
- Head: The height water falls from
- Flow: The volume of water falling
There are numerous ways to determine the head and flow at your occasion, including the weighted-float or the bucket method.
Once you’ve determined your electricity generation capacity, you can assess whether investing in microhydropower makes economic sense.
Be sure to factor in any available government incentives.
If the numbers add up in your favor, you’ll still have to do a considerable amount of legwork.
Grid-connected systems have more electrical and planning requirements than standalone hydro systems.
But both will likely require advice or permission from the following authorities.
- Your state energy office
- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- Your local utility or power company
- Professional installer
- Licensed electrician for grid connection and integration with your home circuitry
Water Rights
Even small hydropower systems likely require you to obtain the water rights to divert the flow of a sufficient volume of water to generate electricity viably.
Water rights are controlled by the states, and further restrictions are often applied at the local or municipal level.
Unfortunately, water rights law is notoriously difficult to navigate, particularly as demand for water outstrips supply in many parts of the country.
Even if you have some water rights on your property, you may need additional rights to produce electricity.
Your state energy office may be able to provide advice, but you will likely need to consult a water rights attorney.
(Source: US Dept. of Energy)
Requirements for Small Wind Energy Systems
The two biggest requirements for residential small wind energy systems are a sufficient wind resource and space on your property.
The DoE indicates that a wind turbine must provide at least 5kW-15kW of electricity generation potential to be financially viable.
A turbine that size requires about one acre of unobstructed land — a substantial footprint on almost any property.
If your property meets the above requirements, assess whether the electricity the wind turbine can generate will justify your investment over time.
Learn how to calculate wind power turbine output here.
Next, consult your state and local planning authorities to find out whether turbine construction and installation are allowed on your property.
Wind turbines not only take up a considerable amount of land, the tower that the turbine blades and rotor are mounted on must be a significant height.
According to the DoE, “Your turbine needs to be sited upwind of any buildings and trees, and it needs to be 30 feet above anything within 300 feet.”
To install a grid-connected small wind power system, you’ll need permission from multiple authorities and compliance with numerous regulations.
For example:
- Compliance with state and local wind energy ordinances
- Compliance with zoning and permitting
- Building permits for turbine construction
- Compliance with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines
- Compliance with U.S. Military siting restrictions
- Your local utility or power company
- Professional installer
- Licensed electrical for grid-connection and integration with your home circuitry
Your state energy office should be able to help you navigate the complexities of installing a small wind energy system.
The DoE’s Small Community Wind Handbook is also an excellent resource.
Requirements for Grid-Tied Solar Photovoltaic Systems
As with wind and hydro, the first step in determining your requirements for a solar photovoltaic system is assessing whether you receive sufficient energy at your location to provide a solid return on investment.
(Source: NREL)
The National Solar Radiation Database (NSRDB) provides a wide assortment of maps and other tools to help you estimate how much sunlight you can expect to receive at your location based on historical data.
NREL’s PVWatts calculator can do the math for you, just enter your address.
The most useful measurement for estimating solar electricity production is peak sunlight hours.
Because PV modules collect photons from sunLIGHT — not from heat — using the photovoltaic effect, your solar panel array will generate the most electricity under direct sunlight.
Extreme temperatures actually have a negative effect on solar panel efficiency.
Once you’ve estimated your electricity generation potential and the cost of your system, you can determine whether it makes financial sense.
The legal and technical barriers to entr for installing solar photovoltaic systems are substantially lower than for wind turbines or hydropower.
Many homeowners choose rooftop installations with rigid solar panels, as they leave no additional footprint on your property.
Ground installations with rigid or portable solar panels may also be viable.
Off-grid solar generators that provide whole home backup power like EcoFlow DELTA Pro don’t require professional installation or permits — unless you’re connecting one to your home circuit board with a transfer switch.
EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra Charging Inputs
| Charging Method | Maximum Input (1 x Inverter) | Maximum Input (2 x Inverter) | Maximum Input (3 x Inverter) |
| Solar Charging | 5600W | 11200W | 16800W |
| AC Input (Wall Socket) | 3000W | 6000W | 9000W |
| AC Input Smart Home Panel 2 (Wired) | 7200W | 14400W | 21600W |
| AC Input EV Pile (Wired) | 7200W | 14400W | 21600W |
| Fossil Fuel Generator (Cable) | 7200W | 14400W | 21600W |
| EcoFlow Smart Generator (Dual Fuel) | 1800W | 3600W | 5400W |
| Multicharge | 8800W | 17600W | 26400W |
Hybrid solar + storage solutions like EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra provide multiple charging options, including solar panels and utility grid AC power.
EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 and DELTA Pro Ultra feature proprietary X-Core 3.0 tech architecture, providing industry-leading performance, safety, and intelligence.
X-Core 3.0 delivers the following benefits.
- X-Stream delivers record-speed charging — only 50 minutes
- X-Boost’s revolutionary soft-start algorithm supports up to 6000W of appliances and central HVAC systems with just one unit
- X-Link parallel expansion provides up to 21.6kW of output power and 90kWh of electricity storage
- X-Quiet volume minimization means whisper-quiet operation at an industry-best 30dB*
- X-Fusion outpowers the grid by providing up to 7000W of electricity output from a single AC outlet in bypass mode. Standard household plugs deliver only 1800W. Plug in EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 or DELTA Pro Ultra and increase your output by close to 300%
- X-Guard is a protective triad of structure, material, and AI that keeps your home and family safe. It can even self-extinguish in the unlikely event of a fire.
Find out more about X-Core 3.0 here.
Grid-tied solar photovoltaic systems that consume and transmit electricity to your utility provider have additional requirements.
But far less than wind turbines or hydro power.
Here’s what you’ll need to do to install a grid-connected solar photovoltaic system:
- Check with your utility provider or power company to make sure they offer grid connection for solar
- Thoroughly examine your power provider’s requirements
- Ensure that the photovoltaic modules, solar inverter, and other balance of system components meet your utility provider’s compliance standards
- Is net metering or net purchase and sale of electricity available at your location?
- Does your homeowner’s association (HoA) or other local authority have restrictions on rooftop or ground solar panel installations?
- It may or may not be mandatory in your location (yet), but it’s a best practice to ensure your system and installation follows one (or more) of the following standards.
- IEEE Standard for Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems (IEEE 1547-2003)
- Underwriters Laboratories certification for solar inverters and other balance of system components (UL 1741)
- National Electrical Code (NEC) for electrical equipment and wiring (NFPA70)
- Apply for building permits (if required)
- Hire a professional installer to help ensure compliance and optimize performance
- Hire a licensed electrician to connect your PV system to the utility meter and your home wiring
- Follow any certification and inspection requirements
Many of the steps above can be simplified or avoided if you opt for an off-grid or hybrid solar photovoltaic system rather than a traditional grid-tied setup.
What Is an Interconnection Agreement?
If your utility provider or power company offers grid connection for renewable energy systems, you will almost certainly be required to sign an interconnection agreement.
In some parts of the US, the interconnection process is streamlined and relatively painless.
Unfortunately, the parameters and procedures for interconnection vary widely and lack consistency — both by location and power provider.
The Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. (IREC) offers a helpful Connecting to the Grid Guide that’s now in its sixth edition.
Common areas covered in interconnection agreements include:
- Net metering, net purchase and sale of electricity, and other billing arrangements
- Liability insurance requirements to protect your power provider in case your grid-connected system causes accidents or damage
- Schedule of fees for permitting, inspection, meter costs, etc.
Filling out the paperwork can be time-consuming, but many utility providers have worked hard to streamline the process.
Final Thoughts
Renewable energy is rapidly growing as an electricity generation source — both at the utility and the residential level.
Solar photovoltaic systems are by far the best option for most home applications.
Whether you connect to the grid directly or opt for a hybrid solution like EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra + 400W rigid solar panels, it’s never been a better time to switch to solar.
Save money on electricity bills and enjoy home energy security…
Check out EcoFlow’s solutions today.
*Under 2000W output