2. What Happens When There Is Too Much Production?

Excess Production with Off-Grid Solar 

Depending on the size of the system you install, how much electricity you consume, and when you use it, your system will almost certainly produce more electricity than you use. What happens to the extra energy is determined on the equipment you install.

Most off-grid solar systems are designed to generate “excess” electricity during the day, which is then delivered to batteries for storage. When the system is not producing, such as at night or during overcast weather, the energy stored in the batteries can be utilized.

Depending on your energy goals, systems can be designed to generate enough excess electricity throughout the day to cover your whole energy consumption around the clock.

Despite the greatest and most precise forecasts, the weather is unpredictable. If you have unusually overcast weather for multiple days in a row, your system may be unable to generate enough electricity to charge the batteries and meet all of your needs.

While having extra batteries might provide peace of mind and a reserve of stored electricity in case something happens, they are also costly. Buying more batteries than you need may be prohibitively expensive, depending on your budget.

Over Production from On-Grid Solar

Many people who install on-grid solar systems, like those who install off-grid solar systems, wish to cover 100% or nearly 100% of their energy demand. This is also possible with on-grid solutions.

Your solar system may produce surplus energy depending on the time of day you utilize electricity. Instead of storing it in batteries as in an off-grid system, you can send it to the grid and get compensated for the electricity you use.

Many people in the United States will be rewarded through a process known as net metering. When your utility company compensates or credits your account for electricity generated by your solar system and transferred to the grid, this is known as net metering.

Grid-connected solar electricity has a major advantage over off-grid systems since net metering and other utility compensation mechanisms provide virtually free storage.