Grid Tied Solar Power System

Grid Tied Solar Power System: How to Choose the Right Size

A grid tied solar system feeds your panels' output into the house first, sends any surplus to the utility, and pulls from the grid at night. The systems in this collection all add a lithium battery and a hybrid inverter to that picture, so you also get backup during outages and the option to store midday solar for the evening peak. They are whole-home systems in the 12kW to 36kW class, built for homeowners who want to cut the bill and stop caring about outages in the same project.

The collection holds 26 systems from BigBattery (ETHOS batteries with EG4 18kPV inverters) and Sungold Power. Prices start from $8,684 for a 12kW inverter with 20.48kWh of ETHOS storage and reach $32,000 for a 36kW, 92.16kWh three-inverter system. Sungold's SGS12K kits bundle the panels; the BigBattery kits leave panel choice to you.

How to choose grid tied solar systems with storage

• Inverter output. One EG4 18kPV gives 12kW of continuous 120/240V output, enough for most single-family homes including air conditioning. The BigBattery ETHOS 20.48kWh + 1 x EG4 18kPV is the entry point. Two inverters (24kW) suit large homes with EV charging; three (36kW) cover estates or small commercial buildings.
• Battery hours. Storage sets how long you ride through an outage or how much evening load you shift. 20.48kWh covers a typical overnight; the ETHOS 40.96kWh + 1 x 18kPV gets you through a full cloudy day. ETHOS modules stack, so 20.48 to 92.16kWh is a matter of count.
• Panels included or not. The Sungold Power 12kW Kit with 20 x 450W Panels and 16.07kWh ships with a 9,000W bifacial array and an outdoor-rated battery, certified together to UL 9540. The larger Sungold 12kW Kit with 18 x 590W and 48.21kWh is built for multi-day outages.
• PV headroom. Each 18kPV accepts 18kW of solar, so a single-inverter system can carry a 40-panel roof; the Sungold SGS-12K18MAX takes 18kW as well.
• Certification for permitting. The BigBattery kits are UL 9540 listed as a system and the Sungold inverter is UL 1741 SB, which is what most utilities and AHJs now ask for on a grid tied photovoltaic system with storage.

Popular picks in this collection

Sizing tips

• Start with a year of utility bills and the Solar Kit Calculator. Enter appliances and ZIP code to get the inverter, battery and array size, then compare against the kit numbers above.
• Size storage to the outage, not to the bill. Bill offset comes from panels; a 20kWh bank is usually plenty for load shifting, and the 40 to 90kWh options exist for long outages or off-grid-capable homes.
• Check the roof or ground space for the array. The Sungold 20 x 450W kit needs room for twenty panels; a BigBattery kit lets you pick panel count and wattage to fit.
• Get the interconnection approved first. A diy grid tied solar system still needs a permit, an inspection and the utility's sign-off before the inverter is allowed to export.
• Outdoor batteries simplify placement. The Sungold PowerMax batteries are outdoor-rated; ETHOS stacks belong in a garage or utility room.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best grid tied solar system for a 2,500 sq ft home? A single 12kW inverter with 20 to 30kWh of battery and roughly 9 to 12kW of panels. The Sungold 20 x 450W kit or the ETHOS 20.48kWh or 30.72kWh packages fit that profile.

Will the system power my house during an outage? Yes. Hybrid inverters disconnect from the grid automatically and run the home from battery and solar; that is the difference from a battery-less grid-tie setup, which shuts down.

How long do the batteries last? BigBattery lists a 12-year warranty on ETHOS modules, and LiFePO4 chemistry handles daily cycling for the life of the system.

Every system ships free to the mainland US from brand partner warehouses, usually within a few business days, with 30-day returns. Send us your bill and roof photos and we will size it with you.