Connect Your Solar Panel System to the Power Grid
Many South Florida residents have explored the possibility of harnessing our year-round sunshine with solar panels. Not only can doing so generate power and save money, but it can also contribute to greener energy solutions here in Sarasota and Longboat Key.
If you have considered a solar panel system but were unsure as to completely cutting off the traditional electricity, there is good news for you. Both Florida Power & Light (FPL) and the Peace River Electric Cooperative – our two major area electric utilities – offer net monitoring services to connect your solar panel system to the power grid
Net Metering / Solar Panels
Traditionally, people who installed a solar power system on their home did not connect them to the grid. The early adopters of these systems were people looking to live off the grid, originally; and as solar panel usage grew, the cost of connecting them to nearby power lines was prohibitive.
Today, it is actually fairly easy to connect the two systems. Grid connected solar homes have solar electric panel modules that provide some (or most) of their power, while still having the ability to tap into standard electricity if necessary. Solar panel system owners generally install enough solar panel capability to generate up to half of their power, while relying on traditional electricity on cloudy/rainy days and overnight.
Net metering allows a homeowner to connect the two systems via a meter which tracks the amount of energy being generated or used. If the solar panels generate excess energy, it can be stored on local batteries for future use, or “sold for a credit” to the power company and sent to the utility power grid. Depending on your system and the local utility, you may either have a single meter which can work in reverse (sending power or accepting it), or two meters, one for each function.
This system allows homeowners to generate the most solar power when their energy consumption is high, during hot, sunny days when the air conditioner is running at its peak. Any excess power can be used later, and if they need to draw power from the utility, it can be at night, when it is cooler.
Connecting to the Grid
Your local solar electric power installer should understand what types of meters and connections are available given your specific utility provider. You may also wish to start by speaking with your utility company directly, as they can guide you as to which systems will work with their meters.
You will have to sign a contractual interconnection agreement with your utility company, which is a legally binding document. Be sure to read the fine print, as this will outline how power is stored, sold, credited, and billed. Even if your solar panel system generates enough power to cover your entire monthly utilization, you will most likely incur small bills from your utility for meter reading.
Other Alternative Systems – Net Metering
For those looking to save on energy costs in the long run, whether residential or commercial, FPL offers many kinds of acceptable renewable energy system plans for net metering.
- Solar panel systems
- Wind energy
- Biomass (landfill gas or methane)
- Hydroelectric power
- Ocean energy (tidal power or ocean currents)
- Hydrogen
- Waste heat
- Geothermal energy
Ask Lindahl Construction
If you are building a Sarasota area custom home and are interested in installing a solar panel system, just let us know! We can help to coordinate the installation and make sure that your meters are all set before you move in. In fact, no matter what features you are hoping to include in your new custom build, we are here to make your dream come true. When thinking of new construction or a home remodel, the right call to make is to Lindahl Construction.