NO UPFRONT COST ~ GET PAID $2,000 AT INSTALLATION or 1 YEAR OF FREE SOLAR
NO UPFRONT COST ~ GET PAID $2,000 AT INSTALLATION or 1 YEAR OF FREE SOLAR
A Day With Grid-Tied Solar
To understand why your home will remain connected to the electricity grid, let’s look at a sample day in the life of a solar homeowner.
Solar Power
Grid Power
8 a.m.
The sun is above the horizon.
Your panels produce the power needed for your morning routine.
12 p.m.
The sun is high in the sky!
Your panels are producing more energy than you need.
The excess power is fed back to the grid giving you credits for nighttime use.
4 p.m.
The sun is low in the sky when you get home.
Your panels are still producing power but not enough for dinner, homework, and all the evening activities.
You supplement your solar power with energy from the grid using your credits from the overproduction of the day.
8 p.m.
The sun has set.
Any energy used after sunset and before sunrise will come from the grid credits
.
What is the Electrical Grid?
The electrical grid (also called the electric, electricity, or power grid) is a massive, interconnected network of facilities and equipment that create and supply electricity for homeowners, businesses, and industrial operations alike.
Electricity is distributed across this network with a goal to continuously balance supply and demand, also known as production and consumption. When supply exceeds demand, the excess energy must be sold, converted, or otherwise disposed of—often resulting in waste. When demand exceeds supply, it can create disruptions in power such as brownouts or blackouts.
Who owns the grid?
While the federal government oversees aspects of grid maintenance and management, the majority of the power that is generated and disturbed through the electrical grid is owned by private, investor-led, or cooperative utilities like your local electricity provider.
How does it work?
There are three key functions of the electrical grid:
Can you go “off-grid” with solar?
Wherever public utilities are available, we recommend maintaining a connection to the power grid. This allows you to source power from both your electricity provider and your solar panels depending on your usage needs relative to the power generated by your solar array.
Homeowners who wish to function “off the grid,” whether by necessity or choice, typically require a larger solar array and the addition of a generator and/or solar battery storage.
Utility Approval and Requirements
Because your home will remain connected to the electrical grid, your solar installation requires approval from your electricity provider. There are three checkpoints to be aware of:
These requirements can change regularly based on grid capacity, state and local regulations, internal systems, and other variables. At Net Zero Solar, we have a dedicated Interconnection Team that maintains accurate information for every utility company we work with to avoid delays in the solar installation process.
System Requirements
The system requirements set forth by your utility provider function as parameters in the solar design process. While system requirements will vary across markets and providers, they can generally be broken down into three categories:
Interconnection
Utility Approval or “Interconnection” is the process through which a solar customer (or, in this case, their provider) applies for and receives permission from their utility company to proceed with a solar installation.
To initiate the process, Net Zero Solar will submit an Interconnection application to your utility provider that outlines your energy usage, roof specifications, and the engineering design of your solar energy system. Once submitted, we'll work with your utility provider to finalize the approval so we can schedule your installation.
If your electricity company requires that homeowners be involved in the Interconnection process often by providing a signature, proof of insurance, or additional documentation you will be alerted to the requirements in your area and guided through the process.
Permission to Operate
After your solar installation is complete and has passed required inspections, Net Zero Solar will apply for “Permission to Operate” from your utility provider. This is the final step before you can activate your system and start producing power.
Like Interconnection, the requirements for Permission to Operate will vary by utility provider and may include an application, installation photos, a signature from the account holder, further documentation, or an on-site inspection. In most cases, a representative will visit your home to ensure that your solar energy system meets safety and metering guidelines, and to install a new bi-directional energy meter capable of tracking both the energy you produce and the energy you use.
Why is Utility Approval Required?
Remember that one of the primary objectives of grid management is to balance supply and demand, or energy production and consumption. When you add solar panels to your home, any excess energy you produce will be fed back to the grid, becoming part of the total electricity supply.
For this reason, your utility provider needs to know how much energy your solar system will produce, and how this will impact your total energy consumption. The pre- and post-installation requirements support the safety of your home, your solar energy system, and the larger electricity grid.
Utility Rates and Metering Programs
As a general rule: The more power you source from your solar panels, the more money you will save on your electricity bill. While a larger system can produce more power and offset a greater percentage of your energy needs with clean, solar energy, the financial benefit you see from that offset is directly tied to the electricity rates and metering programs in your area. Two of the most common rate programs that can benefit solar homeowners are Net Metering and Time-of-Use Rates.
Net Metering
If you’re in an area with Net Metering Rates or Net Energy Metering (NEM), any energy that is produced by your solar power system and not used in your home will be sent back to the grid and earn you credit on your energy bill. Your utility bill will then be calculated based on the energy you consume from the grid less any credits you’ve earned from the excess energy you produced, allowing you to further offset your electricity costs.
Time-of-Use Rates
If you’re in an area with Time-of -Use-Rates, your electricity fees are structured to increase during peak usage hours and decrease during low usage or off-peak hours. In this case, a solar power storage system may be an easy way to save money on your monthly electricity costs by allowing you to tap into stored energy when rates go up, and rely on grid power when rates are low.
How to Access Net Metering Programs
If net metering programs are available in your area, registration is typically included in the Interconnection application process. Your electricity bill will then automatically adjust once you receive Permission to Operate and begin producing power.
In select areas of the U.S., electricity providers are required to offer multiple rate plan options—giving homeowners more control of their solar energy savings. While rate programs will vary by provider, we can help you compare the options and select the right program for your needs.
The tide has turned in your favor. Sell your electricity to the Power Company and Get Paid. Let us show you how!!
Net Zero Solar Inc.
Net Zero Solar Inc., Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 US
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