Where do they come up with this stuff?
No, they don't use batteries much anymore. The system is hooked to my service at the main feed inside the breaker box. There is a disconnect outside so emergency personnel can cut the power from the solar array if they need to. When there is more power being produced than is being used it feeds out into the grid and a tally is kept of my production. When I am using more than is being produced I just buy a little less. And, of course, at night I'm buying it. The electric company gives me back 1 kWh for every 1 I have banked free of charge and I buy theirs at the regular price, which is about $.121 per kWh. At the end of the year if I have made more than I use they do give me something for it but I am not sure how much they give, I'm sure it's not too much.