Off-grid: These systems are typically installed in more remote, rural locations where connecting to the nearest electrical utility’s power grid is too expensive because of line costs, or simply impossible. Off-grid systems are typically sized to handle most or all of the average load of the residence, ranch or facility, with batteries storing power for use as needed day or night. Off-grid systems typically also utilize a back-up power generator running on propane or gasoline for those times when solar electric output is reduced due to extended cloud cover, or when power use is greater than usual. Power generators are also needed to equalize the batteries as part of regular maintenance, and stand ready should the system have down time due to a component failure.

Grid-tie: These systems are typically installed to accomplish positive environmental impact while taking advantage of incentives such as net metering and REC credits to make the PV system a sensible investment. Because you are effectively using the utility’s power grid as a battery for any excess power your PV system produces, it doesn’t make economic sense to involve the added expense and maintenance of also installing battery storage. If the motivation for wanting batteries is to make sure your power supply is not interrupted by bad weather and outages, it is more sensible to install a power generator that comes on automatically when those interruptions occur. It is also a greener solution in terms of net energy and long-term environmental impact as batteries take a lot of energy and resources to manufacture and transport, and have a life expectancy of around five years , at which time disposal becomes and issue.

Siting: New Mexico has abundant insolation, averaging over 300 clear, sunny days per year. Of course, the specific location of energy gathering components is a critical part of system design. For PV systems, it is important that shading does not occur too frequently and/or does not affect modules to such an extant that power is lost for long periods of time from an entire string (a group of modules wired in series), because shading just one module can cut power from the entire string.

The best areas for wind power are on the eastern plains, beginning about thirty miles east of the Sangre de Cristo mountains for the NE part of the state. For small wind power systems an average annual wind speed of 10 mph is considered adequate, and this can be generally determined by referencing data collected by various government agencies and other sources. But because specific sites can vary so much due to local topographical features of the landscape, trees, and nearby structures, it is often required that a kite test be performed numerous times, or that a pole be erected with measuring devices installed to collect data over a longer period of time. The other consideration in siting a wind turbine is maintaining a reasonable for buried cables from the pole or tower to the electrical service.

Inverters are typically installed near the electrical/breaker box for safety and ease of service. Batteries are best located in proximity to the service and inverter location, but can be housed more distantly.

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