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?
The customer has always paid for ALL the equipment and maintenance of a private "solar" system, at least in California.
I believe that the additional gummint "charges" are the gummint's to keep, although the rationale is that the distribution system the individual solar ties into is owned and maintained by the local electrical power provider, whether private solar systems are tied onto it on not!
When the government's involved, nothing makes sense.
The inverter syncs with the power line, and puts current into the line, which goes back through the step-down transformer and onto the grid. There is a lockout, if line power is lost the inverter shuts down. If it didn’t the solar system would pump current into the grid and could hurt a linesman who thinks the shutoff is working.
The meter works both ways, yes. If you use 3 KWH and your solar makes 2 KWH you get billed for 1 KWH.
The solar installation, meter, inverter and all is installed and maintained by the owner. This could be the owner of the rooftop, (or the property owner), or the property owner could be leasing out the rooftop to a third party solar company.
The utility does not have that much to do with it except for paperwork and billing.