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How On-Grid or
Grid-Tied Solar Energy Systems Work
What’s the difference between ON THE
GRID and OFF THE GRID solar systems?
On the grid means that your solar system is hooked into
the utility company. Off the grid means you are not
connected to the utility company.
It’s more efficient to be hooked to the utility grid
because off grid systems must store the energy, as in
batteries. If you are on the grid, the utility company
stores the energy. The utility company keeps track of
the kilowatts you use on an hourly basis. During a sunny
day, you can produce more energy than you are using so
your electric meter goes backwards and you build up
energy credits. The goal of your solar power system on
the grid is to produce as much power over a twelve month
period as you use.
ON THE GRID DURING A SUNNY DAY
Solar electric systems generate
electricity silently and without any moving parts.
Sunlight falls on the solar array and generates DC
electricity. That DC electricity is converted into
household 120V AC electricity by the inverter. The AC
electricity is fed into your electric meter and circuit
breaker panel. The electricity either goes to your
appliances and lights, or to the grid, or some to each.
This happens silently and automatically every day.
ON THE GRID AT NIGHT OR DURING A CLOUDY DAY
At night and during cloudy weather,
the solar system’s output is reduced or stopped;
however, your home then gets electricity from the
utility grid. You are always connected to the grid, so
you can have as much power as you need, any time you
need it, regardless of whether the solar system is able
to put out any power.
When the solar system does put out power, it reduces
your usage at the time, or, if there is excess, your
meter spins backwards, counting down your electric use
and bill. Special metering, such as Time-of-Use metering
and billing arrangements can help you take advantage of
higher daytime rates, allowing you to sell power at a
high rate and buy it back at night at a lower rate. This
helps reduce the necessary size of your solar system
while still cutting your bill by the same amount.
How much will solar power save on your electric bill?
How much you can save depends on your usage and
variations in weather. However, say your monthly
electric bill is $132 a month when averaged over a year.
With solar power your bill could average only $15 a
month. The reason we don't reduce it to zero is that
most utility companies will charge a minimum payment for
connection to the grid. There is no sense in having a
larger solar array that would bring your overall usage
to zero. |
