Grid-Tied System

A grid-tied electrical system / tied to grid / grid tie system, is a semi-automated energy storage system which generates electricity and links to the mains to feed excess capacity back to the local mains electrical grid. When there is not enough electricity, energy is drawn from the mains grid to make up for the lack. Conversely, when excess electricity is available, it is sent to the mains grid.

Off-Grid Systems

An off-grid / standalone photovoltaic system is a solar photovoltaic system not connected to the utility grid. With an off-grid system, you are producing your own electricity via solar, wind, microhydro, generator, etc. These systems generally store the electricity for as-need use via a battery bank.

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

An electric vehicle charging station (EV charging station / electric recharging point / charging point / charge point  / electric vehicle supply equipment), is an element in an infrastructure that supplies electric energy for the recharging of electric vehicles. Examples of this include plug-in electric vehicles like: electric cars, neighborhood electric vehicles, and plug-in hybrids.

As more and more people purchase plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles, we as a society have a growing need for publicly accessible charging stations. Plenty of public ESVEs provide a faster charge and higher voltages than some residential charging stations. Many on-street stations are provided by electric utility companies and located at retail shopping centers. Frequently these ESVEs are operated by private companies. These charging stations provide special connectors that fit with the various electric charging connector standards.