In most cases, if your solar system generates more energy than your home needs at any given time, the excess energy will flow back to your utility. Your utility company may provide you with a credit for energy you send back to it.1 This credit is called net metering. Learn more here.
There are a few exceptions. For example, customers in states that have a cap on net metering may be limited in the amount of energy they can export to their utility and net metering credits.
In addition, homeowners with a home solar + battery storage system will send excess solar production to charge the battery. Once the battery is charged, additional excess solar production can be sent back to the utility. Note that certain utilities will limit net metering for homeowners with a battery. We recommend you check with your utility for more information.
1. Sunnova makes no guarantees regarding credit for net energy exported to the electric grid, and any credit provided (now or in the future) is subject to change or termination by executive, legislative or regulatory action.