How Does A Grid Tie Solar System Work? | Complete Guide
How Does A Grid Tie Solar System Work?
You most likely have seen your neighbors or friends installing grid tie solar systems or maybe you’ve heard a lot about taking advantage of solar energy and now you want to learn more!
Grid-tie solar systems are designed to first satisfy the energy needs of the home, and then feed any additional electricity produced back to the grid.
Are you concerned that you’re paying too much for electricity every month? Have you heard stories of people “going solar” and eliminating their energy costs? Have you dreamed of completely eliminating your energy bills and joining the thousands of people in Pennsylvania who are generating their own power out of thin air? The only thing standing between you and that sweet solar freedom is actually getting a grid-tie solar system.
You can learn everything you need to know in this complete guide to how grid tie solar systems work and how grid tied solar can benefit you and your family.
What Are The Benefits Of A Grid Tie Solar System?
There are a lot of benefits to a grid tied solar system. Not only are there clear and exciting financial benefits to going solar, there are also wonderful environmental benefits to solar energy.
Reducing Your Electricity Bill
Assuming that your grid tie solar power system is designed and sized correctly by the solar installer, you will either see a great reduction in your monthly electricity costs or you’ll have no electricity bill at all.
More Affordable Than Battery Backup
Grid tie solar systems are great in that they are significantly more affordable than grid tie with battery backup systems. Now, grid tie solar with battery backup certainly has its place in the solar world and has great benefits of its own. Solar battery backup systems’ greatest offering is security and peace of mind for uncertain times. Your Solar battery backup will get you through emergencies like power outages, hurricanes, and other climate-related dangers.
Costs are the biggest challenge when comparing grid tie with battery backup to grid tie solar systems without battery backup. Grid tie solar systems are just significantly more affordable.
Possibility Of Selling Solar Renewable Energy Credits In PA
One awesome benefit of having a grid tie solar system is that in most states (including Pennsylvania) you can actually generate something called Solar Renewable Energy Credits or SREC’s. And these credits can then be sold on the Pennsylvania SREC marketplace.
One SREC is generated by your grid tie solar system every time 1,000 kilowatt-hours of power are produced. If you have a 5 kW grid tie system then over the course of one year you will probably produce between 5 and 7 SRECs. If you have a 10 kW grid tie system then you will probably produce between 10 and 12 SRECs throughout the year.
The value of an SREC in Pennsylvania fluctuates based on supply and demand and other factors but in 2021 they were each valued at around $40. Investing in a solar system in Pennsylvania could allow you to generate hundreds of dollars each year in SREC revenue and over the lifespan of your solar system, on top of eliminating your energy bills.
Think of it this way, if your grid tie solar system generates 1 PA SREC per month for 12 months out of the year that’s $480 cash you’ve generated with solar! You could actually turn your grid tie solar system into useable income. Understanding how PA SRECs work can feel overwhelming, check out our complete guide to PA SRECs for more information!
What Are The Main Parts Of Grid Tie Solar Systems?
It’s one thing to have a general, “big picture” idea of how a grid tie solar system works but it’s another thing to really understand how the different parts of grid tied solar systems work together to generate power out of thin air for their owners. The big question is, how does a grid tie solar system work? Let’s check out each part to get an idea of what they are and how they work together.
Grid Tie System Solar Panels
The most obvious part of any grid tie solar system are the actual solar panels that convert the sun’s rays into raw, Direct Current (DC) energy. That DC energy then travels to the solar inverter where it is converted into Alternating Current (AC) electricity for the home. Any excess power not used by the home is sent out to the power grid and shared with neighbors.
Grid Tie System Solar Inverter
The solar inverter is the first stop for energy generated by your grid tied solar system. Solar inverters have the very important job of changing the DC energy created by the panels into useable AC energy that goes through the electrical panel and is used by the home.
Grid Tie Solar System Home Kilowatt Hour Meter
The Kilowatt Hour Meter measures the difference between power used and power produced.
Do Grid Tie Solar Power Systems Work At Night?
No, grid tie solar power systems do not work at night. Because there is no sun on the panels. At night your home will draw its needed power from the electricity grid.
How Much Do Grid Tie Solar Systems Cost In PA?
For the average home, a grid tie solar system costs about 20,000 dollars. The cost depends on your energy consumption and the size of your roof. Of course, if you use more power or want to make some extra cash with your solar system the price will go up. Taking these considerations into account, on average we install systems that costs between 20,000 and 40,000 dollars.
Every solar panel installation is unique and the best way to determine how much a solar system will cost you is to consult with a trusted solar installation company and get a free quote from them. A good solar installer will evaluate things like your monthly electricity bills, the location of your home, the size of your roof, and if there are any naturally occurring things like trees or hills that may affect how much sun your roof receives. Factoring all of these elements determines the size and energy production potential of your grid tie solar system.
If you want to get a good idea of what a grid tie solar system in pa would cost you based on your monthly electricity bills then check out our free solar cost calculator! It will give you the approximate cost of a solar installation and the size you would require in order to eliminate your energy bills. If you’re also considering solar battery backup you can even see what that would cost you on top of the grid tie solar system.
Belmont Solar has been investing in the Pennsylvania solar community for more than 20 years and we’re here to help you eliminate your electricity bills and make our world a better place. You can contact us today with any questions you may have, we would love to help you achieve your goals.
