This is called islanding. If you decide to use batteries, keep in mind that they will have to be maintained, and replaced after a certain number of years. The PV modules should last 20 years or more, but batteries just don't have that kind of useful life. Most large inverters will also allow you to automatically control how your system works. Some PV modules, called AC modules, actually have an inverter already built into each module, eliminating the need for a large, central inverter, and simplifying wiring issues.
Some people have a flawed concept of solar energy.
While it's true that sunlight is free, the electricity generated by PV systems is not. As you can see from our discussion of a household PV system, quite a bit of hardware is needed. To give you an idea of how much a house system would cost, let's consider the Solar House - a model residential home in Raleigh, North Carolina, with a PV system set up by the North Carolina Solar Centre to demonstrate the technology. That's why PV is usually used in remote areas, far from a conventional source of electricity. Right now, it simply can't compete with the utilities.