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grid as your power source at night or on long stretches of inclement weather. These installations are known as grid-tied or grid- interconnected systems. This version of solar system enables you to sell any excess power you produce back to the utility companies who have chosen to support net metering. Once you are signed up on a net meter-
ing program, your utility company will have a smart meter installed known as a Time of Use Meter, which will actually run back- wards when you are producing excess pow- er. It is wise to keep in mind that grid-tied systems without a battery backup are only functional when the grid is operational. Due to anti-islanding features on grid-tied invert- ers, which protect utility workers from work- ing on a live line, grid-tied systems without a battery back up will not continue to produce power during a power outage regardless of whether you have sunshine or not. Since solar panels produce DC they must be coupled with a solar inverter to convert the energy from DC to AC. In a grid-tied system this can be done by a large central inverter, or each solar panel can be outfitted with its own micro inverter. Once the power is converted to alternating current and its phase is synchronized with that of the grid, it is then tied in to your main junction box, which is ultimately connected to the national grid.
Q. With solar, will I still have power when the utility power goes out?
A. Only if you buy a system with battery backup. Many companies offer systems both with and without battery backup. Systems with battery backup are somewhat more ex- pensive and less efficient, but they give you the peace of mind of never being without power.
Q. Will the utility company send me a check if I produce more power than I use?
A. No. However, if you produce more power than you use in any given month, the utility will bank that electricity and you can draw down that electricity credit for up to one year.
Q. Isn’t solar still really expensive?
A. NO! Solar is actually far more economi- cal over the long term than buying your power from the utility. After state rebates and tax credits, if you finance the system over a 10-year period, the monthly cost of solar can run about the same as your current elec- tric bill. The big advantage is that this cost
16 Natural Nutmeg March 2012
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