What is a grid tied solar panel system?

When grid-tied, your solar panel system is connected to the grid via a bi-directional electricity meter. It measures the excess power you send to the grid when your solar panels produce more than you need, and the amount of energy you pull from the grid when your solar panel system doesn't generate enough.

Can solar power go back into the grid?

At the same time, your home can also push additional power back into the grid when your home doesn’t need all of the electricity being generated, such as in the middle of a sunny day when everyone is away from the house. For most homes, your residential solar power system will probably be grid-tied, more commonly known as on-the-grid.

Can solar panels be fed to the electric grid?

While energy from solar panels can be fed to the electric grid to support clean power and reliable delivery, the current grid configuration needs some improvement for the two distribution infrastructures to work seamlessly together.

Why do solar panels need to be connected to the grid?

The simple answer is that remaining connected to the grid allows your home to draw additional power when solar panels can’t generate enough electricity, including nights and cloudy days.

How can solar power and the grid work together?

Programs like net metering and time-of-use rates are helping solar power and the grid work better together, but more can be done to adapt to the needs of solar-powered homes. Solar power helps the grid in many different ways, such as smoothing out the demand curve, reducing grid stress, and lowering the cost of grid upgrades and maintenance.

Can net metering help integrate solar power and the grid?

As more people are going solar, utility companies are using programs like net metering to help integrate solar power and the grid. We believe the solar power industry and the electric grid can enjoy mutual benefits through increased energy supply that stabilizes when, where, and how electricity is generated and distributed.