10-04-2014, 04:22 AM
The electric grid is built upon using high voltage lines to transport power. The power is stepped down to power blocks of homes. It is the most cost effective way to transport electricity from the point of generation to the end consumer. The problem is that the grid was never designed to work in reverse- you can't transport low voltage electricity that solar panels make over distances. The resistance in the copper will just eat up all the juice. As far as I know there is no cost effective way to step up the small amounts of power made by solar panels past the nearest transformer. You can share your power with your neighbors, but if too many of them also get panels, then what? Grid tie fees go up to $80, and in some places even higher as they put band aids on a 19th century power distribution system trying to make it work in reverse. Grid tie is not the answer, at least not the grid as we know it. It can work in areas of high population densities, but I don't see it happening here.