There’s a lot of confusion about the relationship between solar energy and the electric grid. Can you have solar panels installed on your roof and still receive power from the electric grid? What happens if there’s an outage? What happens when your solar panels produce more electricity than your house needs?
Many people think that you have to choose between solar energy and electricity from the grid. This is false. In reality, you can use both energy sources at the same time. However, it might be hard to choose which option is better since they’re both excellent choices. This article will explain how to combine both solar power and power from the grid in your home.
Generating Electricity
The first thing you need to know is that solar panels don’t store energy; they generate electricity by using photovoltaic cells. When these cells are exposed to sunlight, they absorb the energy, which is then converted into electricity. This means that if there’s no sunlight, a solar panel won’t work. On the other hand, when a battery has been charged with electricity from a solar panel, it can store this charge for a long time by releasing it slowly as needed.
When your solar panels produce more power than your home needs, that surplus power goes back into the electric grid. That’s why installing solar panels can reduce or eliminate your electric bill – because you’re using less power from the grid and selling back any excess to the utility company. You’ll get paid for this surplus power at a rate set by your utility company.
If you want to be able to have power during outages and not just emergencies, you’ll need both a battery backup system and a generator.
Grid-tied System
It is possible to have both solar energy and electricity from the grid in your house. The combination of both sources is called “grid-tied.”
Grid-tied systems can be more affordable than stand-alone systems. In a stand-alone system, you need to install batteries to store electricity during times when the sun isn’t shining (like at night) or when your panels aren’t generating enough power (like during a storm). Batteries can be expensive and only last so long before they need to be replaced. There’s also maintenance involved with keeping batteries working properly. With a grid-tied system, you don’t have to worry about any of that! That’s why many people choose this option instead – especially if they live in an area with a reliable power supply from their utility company.
Even if you have a grid-tied system, there are times when the sun won’t be out and you will need electricity from the grid. If there’s an outage or a problem with the electric grid, your solar panels won’t work – but that’s okay because you can use power from the grid during an outage.
Solar Panels
The first thing you’ll need is solar panels. Today, these are available in a variety of sizes and shapes. They can be installed on top of your roof or a pole next to your house. You can also get portable panels that you can bring with you anywhere, as long as you have sunlight.
There are many benefits to getting solar panels for your home or business. The most important of them is saving money on utility bills. In some places, you can even sell unused energy back to the grid, earning you even more money!
Why Would You Want to Use Both Electricity Sources?
The main reason people try to use both electricity sources is convenience. With solar power, you have to worry about storing your excess energy in batteries for when the sun isn’t out. Using electricity from the grid means that you don’t have to worry about battery storage because you can always draw additional power from the grid if you need it. However, using electricity from the grid isn’t free, so it’s essential to try to minimize your usage of it if you can.
Tired of high electric bills? Want to help the environment but don’t know where to start? At Mclean Energy Solutions, they provide the best solar panels and take great pride in their work. Whether you are looking for a solar panel installer or just have some questions about the installation process itself, contact Mclean Energy today!
While both solar power and power from the grid have their benefits, combining the two could be the best choice for you. The reason being is that you’re getting both a high level of safety and reliability when you combine solar power and electricity from the grid.
