PV array/Solar modules
Inverter – changes DC electricity produced by the PV modules into high voltage AC electricity.
Get Connected to the Solar Grid
With the end of the MicroFIT program, Net Metering is now the best way to get solar connected to the grid.
By installing a grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) system under Ontario’s Net Metering program, you not only become part of the growing community efforts to decentralize energy production AND make it greener, but you can also save money by doing so!
Grid-connected systems do not require battery banks, but they can be added to allow you to have some energy during an outage, or to off set on-peak pricing during the day.
How it Works
Components
PV array/ Solar modules: A series of silicon cells covered by a sheet of protective tempered glass. Through the PV effect, these cells convert solar radiation into DC electricity. A number of PV modules for what’s known as an array.
Inverter: An electronic device that changes DC electricity produced by the PV modules into high voltage AC electricity.
The Process
The solar energy is used directly within your house. If there is more energy than is required within the home, the excess goes through the meter onto the grid to create a credit. Effectively, the utility becomes your energy storage medium. This credit can be built up over months and carried forward for 12 months. In the ideal scenario, your system would build up credits all summer long and use the credits to supply power needed in the winter.
The rest of your household electrical system remains unchanged.
How long does a solar energy system last?
The standard lifetime of a system is 25 years; however, with proper maintenance it can surpass this.
How much does installing a solar energy system cost?
Typical costs are now below $3000 per kW installed; however, they vary depending on the size of the system being built. Please visit our Site Evaluation page if you would like a firm quote.
What are the maintenance requirements for my solar energy system?
As grid-connected systems have no batteries or moving parts, regular service is not required.
How long does it take to complete the installation?
Installation time for grid-connected systems varies depending on the size of the system. For a typical 10kW solar array, 3-4 days is a reasonable time frame.
Warranty
All of our systems carry a complete two-year warranty on installation and labour. Most modules are typically warrantied for 25 and inverters for 10-25 years.
Payment Terms
A 25% deposit is taken at the start of installation, with the remaining balance due within 30 days of completion.
Net Metered
Net-metered systems put the sun’s energy to work directly for you. Any solar energy produced is first used in the home to power any appliances, electronics, and lights that happen to be on at the time. Any excess goes out onto the grid and registers as a credit on your meter. This credit can be used when the sun isn’t shining or during inclement weather. The credit lasts for one year. Ideally, a net-metered system is designed to produce more power than you need during the summer and carry a credit over through the winter, effectively zeroing out your electricity usage.
Whole Home Batteries
Grid-connected Battery Back-up Systems
A Grid-connected battery back up system has battery storage integrated, so the system can supply power in the event of a power outage. It also has the advantage of charging batteries during off-peak times, and to supply power to the house during on-peak electricity times of the day.
A ‘Zero Export System’ (also known as ‘behind-the-meter’ or ‘load displacement’) is a type of grid connected solar system, but it is only allowed to supply loads to the house: no energy is allowed on the grid for credit. Excess energy is stored in batteries to provide power at night. Currently, the Save On Energy Home Renovation Savings Program is supplying up to $10,000 for the addition of rooftop solar panels and batteries.
Other common questions about a solar energy system:
Does Canada have enough sun to make PV generation worthwhile and profitable?
Absolutely. Canada has more solar potential than Germany and Japan; the current leaders in installed PV capacity. Financially, most microFIT systems, over the duration of a 20 year contract, will yield a return on investment of 12-15%. For comparison’s sake, the annualized average rate of return on the Toronto stock exchange over the past 20 years is about 9%.
How long will a PV system take to pay itself back?
An average microFIT system takes approximately 6-10 years to cover installation costs. For the rest of the 20 year contract the owner is making pure profits.
How do I know if installing a solar array will work on my house?
In general, there are two conditions that must be satisfied for solar panels to be practical:
- Appropriate roof:
Having a roof with a large amount of south-facing surface area is ideal for solar power generation because in the northern hemisphere, this is the side that receives the most sunlight (especially in the winter). However, depending on how steeply angled your roof is, it is definitely feasible to have arrays in other orientations.
- Lack of shading:
The effectiveness of solar modules is dramatically reduced by shading—if 5% of the panel is covered by shade it will lose 50% efficiency. Therefore, it is important to ensure that there are no trees, buildings, or other obstacles that could shade your array.
The use of micro-inverters or optimizers will minimize the effect of shading, but not eliminate it.
What’s the difference between Net Metering and Zero Export?
Net Metering allows you to remain grid-connected, but also use solar power. Any power you do not use gets pushed to the grid where it is “stored” as a credit on your account for you to use when the sun is not shining (the grid is acting as your battery).
Zero export is when a grid connected system supplies power to the house, but will not send any excess energy out onto the grid for credits. Quite often a zero-export system will have batteries with the system so that extra generation can be stored in the batteries.
