The power company will let me connect my system to their system?

They sure will. In New York State we have what’s called Net Metering. This means you are allowed to connect a solar electric system to the power company’s system, the grid, and back feed power when you produce extra. Any extra power you make during the day can be used by your neighbors to offset what might otherwise have come from a power plant.

The power company gives you the same price for your electricity that you pay them for theirs. It’s really like a barter system where you trade electrons for electrons. You get credit for any extra you make when it’s light and can use that to buy what you need when it’s dark.

To connect a system you have to sign a contract with the power company. You can’t just connect a system without telling them. It wouldn’t be a good thing for you if you did because the meter you have now will record any power you sell as power you bought. You need a special meter that will also record what you sell. Your bill will show both your purchased kWhs and the kWhs you sold to the company.