Solar Power Utility

when using the "grid-tied" method of solar power, what happens during power company outages?
i'm pondering the idea of having solar panels installed on my house. one of the methods to go about doing this is the grid tied method, in which the solar power is used to work against the power meter. in any case my question is, if there is a power outage because of the utility company, since i still have the solar panels, will my power go out as well?
My understanding of this method is that your panels supply power to your residence and excess to the power company. So I guess it depends on the size of your system for sustainability.
Solar energy with significant advantages Dan DeWitt, Times Columnist Saturday, September 25, 2010 Progress Energy Florida President and Chief Executive Vincent Dolan said, as in Spring Hill on Wednesday morning what he said about his production company a good business future seemed to make sense. Natural gas, compared to other fuels, costs less than ever, and emits only about half as much carbon as coal. It already generates ...
