Most PV systems today are grid-tied (also known as grid-connected). This means that the surplus electricity these systems create can be directed into the larger electrical grid. Grid-tied systems contain a utility meter through which the current must flow to reach the grid. The current first passes through an inverter, which converts DC into AC. Then any AC current that is not used locally goes into the grid through the meter.

Current industry standards require every grid-tied system to have a safety feature that shuts the system down to prevent it from backfeeding into the grid if nearby circuits lose power.