If I have solar panels for electricity, will I still have to be hooked up to the electric company?

Question

In other words, is it possible to power all of my appliances and household equipment with electricity from solar panels? Or will I still have to do business with th electric company?

Answer 1

As some folks point out, it is not sunny all the time.  So you'll need to store some of the solar energy you generate during those sunny days.  There are two ways to do this.

First, you can install battery banks in your basement.   You'll need to buy a lot of batteries, so that if you get several days of overcast weather, you still have electricity.   You get to be completely separate from the electric utility, but you need to purchase and maintain and periodically replace a whole bunch of batteries.

Second, in some places, you can effectively "spin the meter backwards."  While this doesn't actually store the electricity, the electric company will, in some places, credit you for any extra electricity that you produce, allowing you to use it at night and during cloudy days.  You'll not need to mess with the batteries, but you'll still be connected to the utility.  For more info on this, you should do a search on "net metering."

Unless you are very very committed to being off-grid, it is challenging (and expensive) to completely severe yourself from the electric company.

Answer 2

In some countries you can sell your surplus power to the power company.

Answer 3

You would need a huge number of solar panels to provide all your electricity needs.  Especially in the winter when much sunlight is blocked by clouds.

In short, you would still have to do business with the electric company.

Answer 4

Depends how many solar panels you have.  If you have enough to power your home, then no, you don't need to deal with the electric utility at all, unless you want to sell your extra power back.