Home solar systems on the West Coast are usually "grid-tied", meaning they have panels and inverter, tied into home electrical service. When you produce more than you use, the meter indeed runs backwards. If the utility electrical service goes out, these systems are usually designed to shut down, which addresses the safety issue you mentioned.
These systems usually do not have batteries. For most people, there is no reason to have batteries in a home solar system, as power outages are uncommon.
Edit: I said "West Coast" - grid-tied systems may be designed this way most places for all I know, but I've only checked into CA and OR.
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Originally Posted by red-beard
That is only half of the problem. Like with most wind systems, you generate DC. For you to have a serious system, you would need to have a battery system, a static inverter and a "dump" for the times when you produce too much power.
While techincally you can connect the static inverter to your mains in the house, the utilities do not like this. Not so much because you "competing" with them, but mostly because of the danger if the system is not put together correctly. Secondary power feeds are usually what kill linemen.
Texas does allow net metering. But if you produce too much power, beyond your uses, all you get it the cost avoidance rate ($0.04/kwh).
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