Definition
A billing arrangement where excess solar electricity sent to the grid earns credits on your electric bill. When your panels produce more than you use, the meter effectively runs backward. Policies vary significantly by state and utility.
Related Solar Terms
- Photovoltaic (PV)
The technology that converts sunlight directly into electricity using semiconduc...
- Kilowatt (kW)
A unit of electrical power equal to 1,000 watts. Residential solar systems are t...
- Kilowatt-Hour (kWh)
A unit of electrical energy equal to one kilowatt of power sustained for one hou...
- Inverter
A device that converts the DC (direct current) electricity produced by solar pan...
- String Inverter
A central inverter that converts DC to AC for an entire string of solar panels. ...
Understanding solar terminology helps you communicate more effectively with installers and evaluate quotes accurately. Use our solar cost database to find fair prices for any solar service.