IES’s commercial solar power systems will be utility-tie (or grid-tie) systems. The systems do not have batteries or related battery equipment. They have only one function: feed all electric power generated by the solar panels through a synchronous utility-grade inverter and offset the power normally consumed from the utility company. They slow, stop or reverse utility metering depending on the time of day, the loads present and the size of the solar system installed. They are extremely popular systems because there are no batteries to replace and the systems cost less than their "utility-interactive" counterparts which have batteries and additional controls to provide backup power during utility failures. IES’s systems essentially wake up in the morning and shut down in the evening. They are simple in nature, comprised primarily of the solar panels and synchronous utility grade inverter.

Solar modules are mounted on the roof or ground to convert sunlight into DC power. The power is sent to an inverter to convert the DC power to AC. Power travels from the inverter to the electrical service panel (the breaker box) where it is distributed to electrical loads throughout the facility. Excess power produced by the solar modules flows into the grid through the electric meter, causing the meter to run backwards resulting in a credit from the utility company. Net metering agreements with utility companies can include time-of-use metering that provide for power credits at different rates – peak rates and off peak rates. SolarBLUE’s engineers will evaluate the net metering plan that best fits each customer’s circumstances.

Power travels from the inverter to the electrical service panel (the breaker box) where it is distributed to electrical loads throughout the facility. Excess power produced by the solar modules flows into the grid through the electric meter, causing the meter to run backwards resulting in a credit from the utility company. Net metering agreements with utility companies can include time-of-use metering that provide for power credits at different rates – peak rates and off peak rates. SolarBLUE’s engineers will evaluate the net metering plan that best fits each customer’s circumstances. Larger panels produce more electricity, but have less versatility in placement. Our engineers will design the optimum panel sizes for each project and send the specifications to the South Carolina plant for assembly. In the event special mounts are required (e.g., pole mounts or special racks), those mounts will also be manufactured in South Carolina with materials supplied by South Carolina businesses.