Sun hits your south-facing solar panels generating Direct Current (DC) electricity that flows to your inverter, which converts it to Alternating Current (AC) electricity for export through an export meter to the electrical grid.
You sell every kWh you produce, and you buy electricity from the grid through your import meter for use in your church at the going electricity rate.
Frequently asked questions:
Does the system connect to my current meter?Do I have to sell the energy to the grid?
No.
You can also install battery systems that are completely off the grid or net-metered systems where you use the energy generated directly and take from the grid when needed.
Except for very unique circumstances (cottage/rural setting or altruistic reasons) all solar PV projects will sell the energy to the grid to take advantage of the premium rates that make these projects financially viable.
Can I use my solar panels as a back-up power source in the case of a grid failure?
Generally, no.
For safety reasons, the inverter will sense the grid failure and cut off the PV system.
If back-up power is a priority, you would need to install batteries and not sell the energy to the grid under the microFIT program and miss out on the financial incentives the program offers.
