A grid-tied solar system is the most common type of residential solar installation. As the name suggests, it remains connected to your local utility's electrical grid, allowing a two-way flow of electricity between your home and the power company.
During the day, when your solar panels produce more electricity than your home needs, the surplus flows back to the grid. Your utility credits you for this exported energy through net metering. At night or during cloudy periods, you draw electricity from the grid as usual, using your accumulated credits to offset the cost.
The key advantage of a grid-tied system is economic efficiency. You don't need expensive battery storage to use solar energy around the clock — the grid effectively acts as your battery, absorbing excess production and supplying power when needed. This makes grid-tied systems significantly less expensive than off-grid or hybrid alternatives.
Grid-tied systems include solar panels, an inverter (string or micro), electrical wiring, and a bidirectional utility meter. They require utility approval and interconnection agreements, which your installer typically handles as part of the permitting process.
One important limitation is that standard grid-tied systems shut down automatically during power outages. This safety feature, called anti-islanding, prevents your panels from sending electricity into lines that utility workers may be repairing. If backup power during outages is important to you, consider adding a battery storage system to create a grid-tied system with backup capability.