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How Grid-Tied Solar Works With the Utility Grid
Solar power works in grid-tied systems through a process called net-metering, facilitated by your power company. Net-meters spin backwards when extra power is produced, normally at a one to one rate. Each extra watt produced by your solar system turns your meter back one watt. Avista and Clearwater Power both offer net-metering for solar systems. |
How do Solar Panels Work on my Home?
During the day, the sun shines on your panels and they produce DC (direct current) electricity. That energy flows into an inverter which converts it to AC (alternating current) electricity. The AC flows to your electrical panel. From there it can power everything connected to your electrical panel. If you produce more energy than you are using, the extra electricity flows into the power grid providing power for someone else to use, and turns your meter backward, giving you credit with your utility company.
If the grid experiences an outage, your home’s PV power will cut out. This is an automatic safety cutoff to keep your PV electricity from endangering any utility worker repairing the line. Backup batteries or daylight-only systems need to be installed in order for solar panels to keep working in grid-tied systems.
During the day, the sun shines on your panels and they produce DC (direct current) electricity. That energy flows into an inverter which converts it to AC (alternating current) electricity. The AC flows to your electrical panel. From there it can power everything connected to your electrical panel. If you produce more energy than you are using, the extra electricity flows into the power grid providing power for someone else to use, and turns your meter backward, giving you credit with your utility company.
If the grid experiences an outage, your home’s PV power will cut out. This is an automatic safety cutoff to keep your PV electricity from endangering any utility worker repairing the line. Backup batteries or daylight-only systems need to be installed in order for solar panels to keep working in grid-tied systems.
What Incentives are Available When Converting to Solar?
The Federal Government offers a 30% tax credit. This credit goes against your tax liability. If your credit exceeds your liability the remaining amount will roll over to the next year. Idaho offers about $1,200 in tax rebates.
If solar is installed for your business you can recapture up to 30% of your cost through commercial tax credit.
The Federal Government offers a 30% tax credit. This credit goes against your tax liability. If your credit exceeds your liability the remaining amount will roll over to the next year. Idaho offers about $1,200 in tax rebates.
If solar is installed for your business you can recapture up to 30% of your cost through commercial tax credit.
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Solar: Built to Perform, Built to Last Solar offers quiet, consistent and nearly maintenance-free energy production. There are no moving parts on a solar power system. All of this is backed by a 25 year warranty, depending on the manufacturer and other components installed. |
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Energy Costs are Rising (even in the NW)
The cost of electricity is going up each and every year. By converting to renewable energy today, you change your relationship with the power company. Instead of paying dollars for watts, you exchange watts on a 1:1 ratio. If the cost of a watt goes up, you are protected from that increase.
When you consider how long a solar system lasts, you will likely find that energy costs have doubled by the time your warranty runs out. As an example of the 25 year warranty in action: In 1992 a KW of electricity in Idaho cost 4.1 cents. Today that same watt costs 8.5 cents. (source: avistautilities.com)
The cost of electricity is going up each and every year. By converting to renewable energy today, you change your relationship with the power company. Instead of paying dollars for watts, you exchange watts on a 1:1 ratio. If the cost of a watt goes up, you are protected from that increase.
When you consider how long a solar system lasts, you will likely find that energy costs have doubled by the time your warranty runs out. As an example of the 25 year warranty in action: In 1992 a KW of electricity in Idaho cost 4.1 cents. Today that same watt costs 8.5 cents. (source: avistautilities.com)