On-grid or grid-tie solar systems are by far the most common and widely used by homes and businesses. These systems do not need batteries and use common solar inverters and are connected to the public electricity grid. Any excess solar power that you generate is exposed to the electricity grid and you usually get paid credits for the energy you expo (Net Metering).

Hybrid solar systems generate power similar to the usual grid-tied solar system, with the ability to store back-up energy with the use of special inverter and batteries. This ability to store energy enables most hybrid systems to also operate as a backup power supply during a blackout.

Off Grid Systems mean that the system is completely independent of any electricity provider. This is most ideal in far flung places where a power source is not immediately available.