“It’s fairly complicated, selling DC current to an AC grid. “
You use a grid-tied inverter and net metering.
I have no idea how this works. I understand that the actual power lines carry thousands of volts that has to be stepped down by transformers before it's fed to a group of homes. But the mystery is, how do you take a few amps of current at 110-120 volts and squirt it back into the mains? I guess it's a second transformer? Do the wheels on the meter spin both ways, or are they required to alter it or add a separate meter?
More importantly, who pays for the provision, installation and maintenance of these additions? I assumed the power company assumed some of that expense, perhaps are required to by controlling political entities. Since this costs them more, and knowing they are bound to pass that cost along to customers, it was reasonable that the beneficiaries pay more. Is this understanding accurate?