How does a solar energy system work?

Your system will connect to a net energy meter that stores and calculates all the electricity your solar panels produce. If you don’t use solar energy at the same time as your solar panels produce it, the energy will return to the electrical grid through the net meter.

What if I need more energy than my solar panels produce?

If you need more energy than your panels produce one day – say, if it’s cloudy out – you will source the electricity from the grid through the meter as you normally would. Your home is connected to both sources of electricity – solar panels and the traditional grid. Your primary source of energy will be photovoltaic.

What happens if you don't use solar energy at the same time?

If you don’t use solar energy at the same time as your solar panels produce it, the energy will return to the electrical grid through the net meter. If you need more energy than your panels produce one day – say, if it’s cloudy out – you will source the electricity from the grid through the meter as you normally would.

Can a solar battery be discharged?

Many business electricity pricing plans and some household plans, have a demand charge based on the highest amount of power drawn from the grid at any time. If this peak demand is at a time when the solar system is not generating electricity, your battery can be discharged to reduce the peak demand and therefore reduce the demand charge.

Can a solar battery reduce your electricity bill?

With a battery, this excess generation can charge the battery and be used at another time, instead of being curtailed. This can reduce your electricity bill. However, for most solar systems, the amount of electricity curtailed is small, so the savings from reducing curtailment are modest.

Do solar panels work with electricity?

A household can marry solar power and traditional electricity for a more efficient, dynamic power system. Understanding how solar panels work with electricity can help you learn which solar power system could be right for you and how to use both types together for maximum energy savings.