ON-GRID OR OFF-GRID:

OFF-GRID

• Many alternative power systems in the past were off-grid systems.
• The systems produced power to run directly to homes, cottages, farms, or buildings
• Backup power was produced from battery banks

ON-GRID

• The Ontario Government and Power Authority recently began promoting greater awareness for alternative energy resources. In addition to grants and rebates being offered. A Standard Offer Program was put in place on March 2006. This meant that the municipality will pay for surplus energy created by alternative energy resources that is distributed back to the grid.
• Approval for solar or wind generating systems tied into the city's electric power grid was established by 2007.
• On-grid systems or Grid-tie systems are connected to a separate metering system and excess power that is generated, but not used, by the household or business would be fed back to the cities power system. These systems do not require a backup battery bank because power can be taken from the existing hydro meter and requires less maintenance.

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