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Residential Microgrids (Off‑Grid & Grid‑Tied)
Keep Your Home Powered — Every Day, Every Outage
A residential microgrid combines solar, battery storage, smart controls, and a backup generator so your home can operate independently during outages and optimize energy use the rest of the time. Whether you want true off‑grid independence or a grid‑tied system that rides through blackouts seamlessly, FM Generator designs, installs, and maintains end‑to‑end solutions across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Cape Cod, and all of New England.
Why a Microgrid for Your Home?
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Uninterrupted power during storms and grid failures
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Lower energy costs by using stored solar when rates are highest
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Cleaner, quieter power with minimal generator runtime
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Whole‑home or priority‑load protection, tailored to your goals
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Scalable for EV chargers, heat pumps, additions, and future loads
FM Advantage: Decades of backup power leadership + certified solar & storage integration. One team, one warranty, one number to call.
Off‑Grid vs. Grid‑Tied: What’s the Difference?
| Feature | Grid‑Tied Microgrid | Off‑Grid Microgrid |
|---|---|---|
| Utility connection | Yes (islands during outages) | None |
| Primary goal | Resilience + daily bill savings | Full energy independence |
| Typical battery size | Moderate (daily cycling) | Larger (multi‑day autonomy) |
| Generator role | Top‑up during long outages | Essential for extended bad weather |
| Best for | Suburban/urban homes with stable grid | Remote homes, new builds, or full autonomy |
Recommendation: Most homeowners choose grid‑tied for the best mix of value, resilience, and savings. Choose off‑grid when you need or want complete utility independence.
What’s Inside a Residential Microgrid
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Solar PV — Roof or ground‑mount arrays sized to your energy goals
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Battery Storage — LFP lithium batteries with UL‑listed enclosures
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Hybrid Inverters — Bi‑directional, islanding inverters for grid/backup modes
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Smart Load Management — Prioritize essential circuits; shed large loads automatically
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Backup Generator — Right‑sized natural gas/propane (or diesel) for extended outages
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Automatic Transfer/Islanding — UL 1741‑SB / IEEE 1547 compliant
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Monitoring & Controls — App‑based visibility, alerts, and performance reporting
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Sun up: Solar powers the home first; excess charges the batteries.
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Evening peak: Batteries discharge to cut grid use and avoid high rates.
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Outage: System islands automatically; batteries power priority loads.
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Extended outage: Generator starts to recharge batteries and support loads; shuts down when not needed.
Our Design & Installation Process
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Consultation — Discuss goals (resilience, savings, independence)
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Load & Bill Review — 12 months of usage + list of critical circuits
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Site Assessment — Roof/ground space, service panel, gas/propane availability
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Right‑Sizing — Solar (kW), batteries (kWh), inverters (kVA), generator (kW)
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Permit & Utility Coordination — We handle drawings and approvals
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Professional Installation — Licensed electricians & EGSA‑certified techs
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Commissioning & Training — We test, verify, and show you the app
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Planned Maintenance — Annual inspection + 24/7 support & remote monitoring
Popular Home Microgrid Packages
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Resilience Essentials — Battery + generator; add solar later
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Solar‑First Savings — Solar + battery; generator for long outages
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Full Independence — Large solar + multi‑day battery + generator (off‑grid)
Packages are customized to your home’s loads, roof space, budget, and timeline.
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24/7 Remote Monitoring for faults, battery SOC, and generator status
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Planned Maintenance to keep systems ready year‑round
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Factory‑trained technicians servicing all major brands
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One‑team accountability for solar, storage, controls, and generator
FAQs
What size battery do I need?
Most grid‑tied homes start around 10–30 kWh; off‑grid systems commonly use 40–100+ kWh depending on desired autonomy.
Can a microgrid power my whole home?
Yes. We can design whole‑home or priority‑load systems depending on budget and roof/battery capacity.
Do I still need a generator if I have batteries?
For multi‑day winter storms or several nights without sun, a generator dramatically extends autonomy and protects battery life.
Will it work with my existing solar?
Often yes. We evaluate your inverters, interconnection, and service panel to enable islanding and storage.
How long is installation?
Typical grid‑tied projects run 6–12 weeks including permitting; off‑grid designs can take longer due to larger scope and equipment lead times.
What rebates or incentives apply?
Programs vary by state and utility. We’ll review current options during your consultation and handle paperwork where applicable.
Schedule a free home assessment to size the right combination of solar, batteries, smart controls, and generator for your goals.
Call 800-253-6617 • Email sales@fmgenerator.com • Request a Quote →
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