Interactive Guide:
How Solar Works
This guide is to help Austin Energy customers understand: System and metering layout is for educational purposes and should not be used to inform design decisions.
- How sunlight becomes usable power for your home
- How meters measure energy at your home
- How being connected to the grid helps you and your community
- How solar billing works through the Value of Solar
How to Navigate the Interactive Guide:
Hover over buttons to see more Click buttons to: Reveal new content Navigate to links Continue to next page
Go to Solar How Solar Works
How Solar Power Works
Solar Panels
Info
Revenue MeterMeasures your home's total energy consumed from the grid and solar
Energy GridExcess solar energy sent to the grid is subtracted from your home consumption
Energy Grid
Revenue Meter
ElectricalPanel
Solar Meter
Battery (Optional)
Solar Meter Measures how much solar energy generated before it is used by your home or sent to the grid
Understanding Your Bill: Common Questions
"How is my energy measured?"
"What will my utility bill look like with solar?"
Solar Production
Home Consumption
"How does the grid help me as a solar customer?"
Grid Export
Ready to Go Solar?
Austin Energy makes it easy and rewarding to power your home with the sun. Our solar programs help you take control of your energy future—with options for renters and homeowners, contractor resources, and rebates that make solar more affordable. Plus, with our Value of Solar rate, you can earn monthly bill credits for the clean energy your panels produce—so you save money while supporting a more sustainable Austin.
Grid Connection
Solar Customer Benefits
Reliable Power Anytime – You’ll still have electricity at night or on cloudy days when your solar panels aren’t producing energy. Share Your Solar Power – When your panels generate more energy than you need, the extra electricity flows back to the grid, helping power your community.
Utility Bill with Solar
You are billled for all energy consumption through our Residential Rates
You are credited for all solar energy generation through the Value of Solar Rate
Solar Bill Explainer
Sizing your Solar System
For the best results, your roof should receive at least 5 to 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. Solar panels work most efficiently when there are no large trees, chimneys, or other structures casting shade. Roofs that face south, east, or west are the most effective for solar energy.
Solar Ready Checklist
Cómo calcular el tamaño de su sistema de energía solar
Para los mejores resultados, su techo debe recibir al menos de 5 a 6 horas de luz solar directa cada día. Los paneles solares trabajan de forma más eficiente cuando no hay árboles grandes, chimeneas ni otras estructuras que den sombra. Los techos orientados hacia el sur, este u oeste son los más eficaces para la energía solar.
Lista de verificación de preparación para energía solar
Conexión a la red
Beneficios para los clientes de energía solar
Energía confiable en cualquier momento: Usted todavía tiene electricidad en la noche o en días nublados cuando sus paneles solares no producen energía.
Comparta su energía solar: Cuando sus paneles generan más energía de la que necesita, la electricidad extra fluye de regreso a la red, ayudando a dar energía a su comunidad.
Factura de servicios públicos con energía solar
A usted se le factura todo su consumo de energía a través de las Tarifas residenciales
a usted se le acredita todo lo que genere de energía solar a través de la tarifa de Valor Solar
Enlace: Explicación de su factura de energía solar
How Solar Works
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Transcript
Interactive Guide:
How Solar Works
This guide is to help Austin Energy customers understand: System and metering layout is for educational purposes and should not be used to inform design decisions.
How to Navigate the Interactive Guide:
Hover over buttons to see more Click buttons to: Reveal new content Navigate to links Continue to next page
Go to Solar How Solar Works
How Solar Power Works
Solar Panels
Info
Revenue MeterMeasures your home's total energy consumed from the grid and solar
Energy GridExcess solar energy sent to the grid is subtracted from your home consumption
Energy Grid
Revenue Meter
ElectricalPanel
Solar Meter
Battery (Optional)
Solar Meter Measures how much solar energy generated before it is used by your home or sent to the grid
Understanding Your Bill: Common Questions
"How is my energy measured?"
"What will my utility bill look like with solar?"
Solar Production
Home Consumption
"How does the grid help me as a solar customer?"
Grid Export
Ready to Go Solar?
Austin Energy makes it easy and rewarding to power your home with the sun. Our solar programs help you take control of your energy future—with options for renters and homeowners, contractor resources, and rebates that make solar more affordable. Plus, with our Value of Solar rate, you can earn monthly bill credits for the clean energy your panels produce—so you save money while supporting a more sustainable Austin.
Grid Connection
Solar Customer Benefits
Reliable Power Anytime – You’ll still have electricity at night or on cloudy days when your solar panels aren’t producing energy. Share Your Solar Power – When your panels generate more energy than you need, the extra electricity flows back to the grid, helping power your community.
Utility Bill with Solar
You are billled for all energy consumption through our Residential Rates
You are credited for all solar energy generation through the Value of Solar Rate
Solar Bill Explainer
Sizing your Solar System
For the best results, your roof should receive at least 5 to 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. Solar panels work most efficiently when there are no large trees, chimneys, or other structures casting shade. Roofs that face south, east, or west are the most effective for solar energy.
Solar Ready Checklist
Cómo calcular el tamaño de su sistema de energía solar
Para los mejores resultados, su techo debe recibir al menos de 5 a 6 horas de luz solar directa cada día. Los paneles solares trabajan de forma más eficiente cuando no hay árboles grandes, chimeneas ni otras estructuras que den sombra. Los techos orientados hacia el sur, este u oeste son los más eficaces para la energía solar.
Lista de verificación de preparación para energía solar
Conexión a la red
Beneficios para los clientes de energía solar
Energía confiable en cualquier momento: Usted todavía tiene electricidad en la noche o en días nublados cuando sus paneles solares no producen energía. Comparta su energía solar: Cuando sus paneles generan más energía de la que necesita, la electricidad extra fluye de regreso a la red, ayudando a dar energía a su comunidad.
Factura de servicios públicos con energía solar
A usted se le factura todo su consumo de energía a través de las Tarifas residenciales
a usted se le acredita todo lo que genere de energía solar a través de la tarifa de Valor Solar
Enlace: Explicación de su factura de energía solar