Resource Centre · Solar basics
On-Grid vs Off-Grid vs Hybrid Solar: Which Suits You?
By Deepak Sharma, NCS Solar, LucknowPublished 24 September 2026
The three types compared
| On-grid | Off-grid | Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connected to the grid | Yes, with net metering | No | Yes, with net metering |
| Batteries | No | Yes | Yes |
| Works in a power cut | No | Yes | Yes, for connected backup loads |
| Upfront cost | Lowest | Higher (batteries) | Highest |
| PM Surya Ghar subsidy | Yes (grid-connected rooftop) | Not under PM Surya Ghar | Check with your vendor |
| Best for | Homes and businesses with reliable grid supply | Sites with no grid connection | Places with frequent power cuts |
On-grid (grid-tied) solar
The panels feed a grid-connected inverter. During the day your home or business uses solar power first; any surplus flows to the grid and is recorded by a net meter, and at night you draw from the grid. You pay only for the net units. With no batteries to buy or replace, it is the most economical option — which is why it is the standard choice for PM Surya Ghar homes and most commercial plants.
For safety, a grid-connected inverter shuts down when the grid fails, so an on-grid system does not supply power during a cut.
Off-grid solar
The panels charge a battery bank, and your loads run from the batteries through the inverter. There is no connection to the grid, so it suits farms, remote sites and places the grid does not reach. The batteries add cost and need replacing over the life of the system.
Hybrid solar
A hybrid inverter works with both the grid and a battery. You keep the savings of net metering, and when the grid fails the battery supplies the loads you have chosen to back up. It costs more than on-grid because of the battery and inverter, so it is worth it mainly where power cuts are frequent or backup is critical.
NCS stocks transformerless hybrid inverters from Velox (3–50 kW) and V-Guard (3–10 kW), along with V-Guard and Borosil batteries.
Sources · Last updated 24 September 2026