Using solar energy, for example, I am told that excess energy can be sold back to the grid. How does this exactly work? Maybe I am a bit confused due to thinking about the analogy of water pressure / flow rate in a pipe network being similar to voltage / current in an electrical network. If your home generated excess energy, how would it overcome the high voltage / current of the grid?
In: Engineering
Depending on your location and your utility, the term excess energy is a misnomer. All your solar energy is actually going to the grid in most cases, and whatever you are using in your house is coming from the grid, not your panels. With net metering, if you produce more than you are consuming off the grid, then you get credit for the excess, reducing or eliminating your bill. As for how the electricity from your panels actually makes it onto the grid, I think u/roylennigan explains it best.
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