PV Grid Tie

A grid tie system is an electrical generating systems which pushes electrical energy back into the electrical grid through your electrical meter, effectively turning the meter "backwards". In other terms it can be said that a grid tie system "banks" electrical power within the grid when more electricity is produced than is used. When electrical demand is greater than the amount of electricity being produced, grid power is used. This provides you with the ability to generate some of your own electricity and reducing your dependence on your utility. A small solar system will “slow the meter down”, reducing the monthly utility bill.

A differently configured and special inverter is required for grid tie systems as electrical phase must be in synchronization with the grid. There is different logic within a grid tie inverter because electricity is not stored within batteries. Some, but not all systems, can provide backup power in the event of a power failure.

The costs of generating your own power is expensive compared to buying it from your local utility. Ontario has a buy-back program to offset the initial costs. Despite low power costs, many people In Canada are installing systems to not only reduce their electrical bill, but also provide backup in the event of a power failure. A system that does both is termed a hybrid system as it has both batteries and the ability to sell power back to the grid. A link to the latest proposals can be found at on OPA's webpage. Feed in tariff will finally exceed the cost of a residential solar panels under 10kW on your roof or on your building lot.

A typical system has a 3 kW solar array installed on a well exposed, south facing area or roof. A system 3kW system can generate between 3500 and 4500 kWh of electricity annually, depending on location. The Ontario Government and the Ontario Power Authority recently revised their proposals for microFIT also called micro feed-in tariff also called the Standard Offer Program to a proposed $0.802 per kilowatt hour an amount that almost doubles the amount paid for power sold back into the grid previously. Ontario is leading the way with alternative energy support for residential rooftop and ground mount systems allowing green power to take hold in Canada. While investment for residential roof top and ground mount solar applications remains high, NOW there's a payback!

Proposed Feed-In Tariff Prices for Renewable PV Energy Projects in Ontario
Technology	Proposed Size Limits	Proposed ¢/kWh
Solar PV
Rooftop or Ground Mounted	≤ 10 kW	80.2
Rooftop	10 – 250 kW	71.3
Rooftop	250 – 500 kW	63.5
Rooftop	> 500 kW	53.9
Ground Mounted	≤ 10 MW	44.3

Solar Power is a one-time investment. Unlike grid power, electricity produced by your solar doesn't increase thereby protecting you from electricity costs increases. The price of the electricity you generate is based on your initial investment.

Solar PV Grid Tie