A grid-tied solar system, also known as an on-grid solar system or grid-connected solar system, is a type of solar energy installation that is connected to the electric grid. In this setup, solar panels generate electricity from sunlight, and any excess energy produced is sent back to the grid. Here’s how a grid-tied solar system works:

1. Solar Panels: Solar panels installed on your property capture sunlight and convert it into direct current (DC) electricity through the photovoltaic effect.
2. Inverter: The DC electricity generated by the solar panels is sent to an inverter. The inverter’s primary function is to convert the DC electricity into alternating current (AC), which is the type of electricity used by most household appliances and the electric grid.
3. Electricity Usage: The AC electricity produced by the inverter is used to power your home’s electrical needs. Any excess electricity that is not immediately consumed by your home is then sent to the grid.
4. Metering: Your utility provider installs a special meter called a bidirectional or net meter. This meter measures both the electricity you draw from the grid and the excess electricity you feed back into the grid. This is known as net metering.
5. Net Metering: During times when your solar panels generate more electricity than your home uses, the excess energy is fed back into the grid. This causes your net meter to spin backward, effectively providing you with credits for the excess energy you contribute. These credits can be used to offset the cost of electricity you consume from the grid during times when your solar panels aren’t producing enough energy (such as at night or on cloudy days).
6. Billing and Cost Savings: At the end of each billing cycle (typically monthly), your utility company calculates the net difference between the electricity you’ve consumed from the grid and the electricity you’ve supplied to the grid. Depending on your local regulations and policies, you might receive a bill for the net amount (if you’ve used more energy than you’ve generated) or a credit for the excess energy (if you’ve generated more energy than you’ve used).

Benefits of a grid-tied solar system include:

• Lower Energy Bills: By generating your own solar energy, you can reduce your reliance on electricity from the grid, leading to lower energy bills.
• Environmental Impact: Grid-tied systems reduce your carbon footprint by using clean and renewable energy sources.
• Net Metering: The ability to feed excess energy into the grid and receive credits can lead to cost savings over time.
• Simplicity: Grid-tied systems are typically simpler to install and maintain compared to off-grid systems.

It’s important to note that grid-tied solar systems rely on the presence of the electric grid. In case of grid outages, most grid-tied systems do not provide power to your home unless you also have battery storage or a backup generator. If you’re interested in energy independence or having power during outages, you might consider a hybrid or off-grid system.