Powering the Future with the Sun

Trick question – there are no batteries for standard grid-tied solar PV installations. During the day, any excess electricity is sold back to the grid for credits. At night and in the winter months, you can use those credits to purchase electricity back from the grid. Batteries can of course be added to a system for those looking to have power backup in the case of emergencies.

When you install solar at your property, your utility will install what’s known as a bi-directional meter. This meter measures energy going both ways – first, the energy coming from the grid to power your home, and second, the excess energy being produced by solar going onto the grid which will show up on your bill as credits.

Maintenance is almost nil with no moving parts. We do model for losses from snow, but some customers choose to remove excess snow buildup to maximize production. Also, every few years it’s ideal to clean the panels if there’s dust buildup in your area that’s not being washed away by precipitation.