The most common solar (photovoltaic, or “PV”) power system today is utility-interconnected or “grid-tied”, with no batteries or backup storage capacity. A grid-tied PV system seamlessly integrates your solar-generated electricity with utility-provided electricity to power your home. You essentially become the owner of a silent, ultra-reliable, low-maintenance power plant located at your own home. The utility becomes your servant and even pays you, rather than the other way around!

The explosive growth in solar over the past few years is almost entirely in the grid-tied market – that is, the mainstream application of solar electricity to utility-powered homes. One of the key drivers of the explosion in grid-tie solar is the advent of net metering policies. Utilities are required to accept solar-generated electricity from your grid-tie system. This means that on sunny days when your solar system is generating more electricity than your home or business needs, the excess is fed back into the utility line and you are paid full price for the electricity you are selling.

Since electricity follows the path of least resistance, any excess electricity you generate on sunny afternoons will first supply your closest neighbor’s home with clean solar electricity while running your meter backward, generating electric credits for your later use.

Solar Connexion has successfully completed interconnected PV systems with a number of utilities in Virginia and surrounding states including: AEP, Duke Power, Dominion Power and others. We have completed more interconnections than any other PV systems integrator in Virginia. We know what each utility requires, and we can smoothly guide you through the interconnection procedure.

We also keep you up to date on the current state and federal incentive programs available, walking you through the process to ensure that you get the best deal on your pv system. (See: Economics)