How solar PV works: from panels to the meter
Sources checked
Solar panels produce direct-current electricity from light. An inverter converts it into alternating current for the home. Electricity is used locally, stored in a compatible battery or exported under the agreed connection and supply arrangements.
Follow the energy through the house
When generation coincides with household demand, solar electricity can replace electricity that would otherwise be imported. If demand exceeds available solar and battery output, the home still imports from the grid. When generation exceeds demand, the system may charge storage, export or limit production.
The meter and monitoring equipment determine which flows are visible. An inverter's generation figure is not the same as the home's total consumption or the billable grid import.
What changes with a battery
A physical battery stores some surplus for later use, subject to capacity, power limits, reserve settings and losses. It cannot move summer production into winter. The usable capacity in kWh and charge/discharge power in kW must both suit the intended job.
A virtual battery is a billing arrangement with a supplier. It does not replace physical storage and cannot power the house during an outage.
Why an outage normally stops ordinary PV
A normal grid-connected inverter disconnects when the grid fails. Backup requires supported equipment, safe separation from the grid, appropriate switching and a defined set of circuits. Sunshine and panels alone do not establish backup operation.