What does backfeed refer to in a grid-connected PV system?

What does backfeed refer to in a grid-connected PV system?

• A. Power from the grid feeding the building.
• B. Power drawn from a backup generator.
• C. Power from the PV system feeding back into the utility grid through the service connection.
• D. A mismatch between generation and load causing a fault.

Answer: (C)

Backfeed in a grid-connected PV system means energy from the solar array being sent back out onto the utility grid through the service connection. When your PV system generates more power than your local loads demand, the extra power flows through the inverter and back into the grid via the main service panel and meter. This is how solar customers can offset grid usage (net metering or export). The inverter is synchronized to the grid, so power can flow in either direction depending on consumption versus generation. This is different from drawing power from the grid to run the building, from a backup generator feeding the loads, or from a fault causing a mismatch. Backfeed specifically describes the intentional reverse flow of generated solar energy back toward the utility.

Backfeed in a grid-connected PV system means energy from the solar array being sent back out onto the utility grid through the service connection. When your PV system generates more power than your local loads demand, the extra power flows through the inverter and back into the grid via the main service panel and meter. This is how solar customers can offset grid usage (net metering or export). The inverter is synchronized to the grid, so power can flow in either direction depending on consumption versus generation.

This is different from drawing power from the grid to run the building, from a backup generator feeding the loads, or from a fault causing a mismatch. Backfeed specifically describes the intentional reverse flow of generated solar energy back toward the utility.