This is the standard solar power system that most people are used to seeing in the streets around their neighbourhood.

The system consists of many solar panels on the roof that are wired to a grid connect inverter (the bit that makes the solar power into standard 240v) which is then connected to your switchboard.

 

The power you produce is consumed first by your house, if there is any left over this is then exported to the power grid. 

If you are not producing enough for the house it imports only the amount required to suit the amount of power being used.

At night the load is drawn completely from the utility grid.

 

With this type of system, when the power fails in a blackout your house has no power just like everybody else.