Grid Connected Solar Electric-
Photovoltaic (PV) Systems
 Grid-connected Solar Electric― Photovoltaic (PV)―systems offer consumers both economic and environmental advantages. Throughout New York State, homeowners and businesses have grid-connected PV systems that reduce the amount of electricity they purchase from the utility each month, and at the same time help to lessen their dependence on foreign sources of oil.
NYSERDA’s Solar Electric―Photovoltaic (PV)―programs are designed to develop and strengthen New York's supply and service infrastructure, reduce barriers to installing PV, and build market demand for renewable energy systems.
How a Grid-Connected PV System Works
Where utility power is available, consumers can use a grid-connected solar electric (PV) system to supply a portion of the power they need while using utility-generated power at night and on cloudy days. When the PV system supplies power to the grid the utility becomes a storage device or battery for PV-generated power.
While residential, grid-connected PV systems (10 kilowatts or less) can provide most of a consumer’s electric needs, they may also generate more electricity than needed. The electricity generated by the PV system can be used on site or fed through a meter back into the utility grid. For example, if a PV system is generating at near its rated output and a system owner is on vacation or not home during the day, a system will typically be producing more electricity than is needed, and that excess can be sold back to the utility. At the end of the month, a credit for electricity sold is deducted from charges for electricity purchased.
A grid-connected PV system is connected to the utility system or grid through an interconnection agreement with your utility company. The interconnection agreement sets the terms and conditions under which a PV system can be safely connected to the grid and outlines metering arrangements (net metering) for your PV system. Only grid connected PV systems are eligible for financial incentives and assistance under NYSERDA’s PV incentive programs. That is because NYSERDA’s funding for PV incentive programs come from a charge on electricity sales assessed to people on the grid or utility system through the System Benefit Charge. As a result, funding can only be used for grid-connected PV systems.
Grid-Connected PV System Costs
While the technology being installed is fairly standard and each
system must meet all NYSERDA program requirements, each individual
system has to accommodate any unique design or installation needs
to meet customer demands, site conditions, application requirements
(roof or ground mounted), etc.
An eligible installer will be able to provide you with a specific cost estimate based on your needs and requirements. Be sure to get at least three estimates from three installers. The Clean Power Estimator is also a useful tool by which to get additional information about typical system costs and benefits.
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