Grid-tied solar system

What is a grid-tied solar system?

All photovoltaic (PV) solar power systems generate power the same way: by using solar panels to convert sunlight into DC electricity. So, what makes grid-tied solar systems different?

1. Grid-tied solar systems are connected to the utility grid via a grid-tie inverter. The grid-tie inverter enables a two-way transfer of power between the home’s solar-powered system and the grid.
2. They don’t include any battery storage — they use the grid as a battery instead.

That means that when a grid-tied system produces more power than the home needs, the surplus power isn’t wasted. The system uses its connection to the grid to export the excess power to the utility.

It also means that the house doesn’t run out of power. When the solar panels aren’t producing enough electricity, the system can import the shortfall from the grid.