Question 1

1. What are the benefits of installing solar PV?

Accepted Answer

Installing a solar PV system saves you money on your electricity bill while protecting you against rising electricity rates. In addition to your savings you may generate more energy in a day then you've used. That energy is sent back to the grid and comes back to you as a credit. This is accomplished with bidirectional meter. For further information, check out the site below.  Review: Glossary - Solar Alberta "Bi-directional meter: A bi-directional type meter is a special meter. It separately measures imported and exported electrical energy. Under Alberta’s Micro-Generation Regulations, your Wire Service Provider is required to supply and install a bi-directional meter at no additional cost.

Installing solar can also be looked at as an investment. In addition to the savings on your energy bill, studies have shown that for every Kilowatt (1kw) installed could increase the value of your home by $6000.00. Homes that have a solar system tend to sell quicker then homes without and can increase your property value more than some home renovations.

Question 2

2. How much do I pay for electricity?

Accepted Answer

The easiest way to see how much you spend on your electricity is from your electricity bill.  Solaré can help you read and understand your billing. Alternatively Alberta Government has added a site on "Reading your electricity bill: Fact sheet"  Reading your electricity bill : fact sheet - Open Government (alberta.ca)

Question 3

3. Does installing solar help environmentally?

Accepted Answer

A big incentive to using a solar PV system is the money you save on your electricity bill. However, people are just as interested in how solar can help the earth. Generating Solar energy is far better for the environment than energy produced by fossil fuels. Solar has a combined positive impact on the environment such as reducing carbon emissions, reduction in water usage and air pollution.

Solar generated power Versus Coal plants o    Life-cycle carbon emissions are 95% lower than coal o    Total water consumption is 99% lower than coal o    Total air pollution is 99% lower than coal

Consumers are realizing that solar systems have a substantial positive effect on the environment and it is now cheaper than ever to purchase and own a solar system.

For further information check out site below on Canada Energy Regulator - Prairie Provinces to lead Canada in renewable energy growth. CER – Prairie Provinces to lead Canada in renewable energy growth (cer-rec.gc.ca)  In Alberta, the share of renewables in a mixed capacity is expected to increase from 16% in 2017 to 26% by 2023. New large-scale hydro, wind, and solar projects will push the share of renewables in Canada’s electricity mix from 67% of installed capacity in 2017 to 71% in 2023.

Question 4

4. How do solar photovoltaic (PV) Solar systems work?

Accepted Answer

Photovoltaic (PV) solar systems work by using sunlight to produce electricity. (DC) = Direct Current (AC) = Alternating Current -  Home run off of (AC) electricity. Here are the steps. Solar system converts sunlight into direct (DC) electricity. The (DC) electricity generated by the solar system passes through an installed inverter that converts (DC)  to an (AC) electricity.  The inverter then sends the (AC) electricity to your house for usage. Unused electricity generated by your Solar system is sent back to the grid through a bi-directional meter. The bi-directional meter runs both ways. Any unused electricity from your solar system is given back to you as a credit potentially saving you up to 90% of your electric bill.  For further in-depth information we recommend the following site: Solar 101 - Solar Alberta

Question 5

5. Do solar systems generate power at night, when its cloudy/rainy or when snow covered?

Accepted Answer

Solar systems do not generate power at night, and unlike common thinking they do generate power during cloudy and rainy days they just don't produce as well as they would during sunny days. It is estimated they will still produce 10 - 25% of their normal output.  However, this is not a deciding factor as grid tied solar PV installations are designed to factor in these conditions and match your yearly consumption as opposed to your day to day usage, using the grid to export/import energy automatically so you are never short of energy. Winter months are known to be the lowest production months, and layers of snow reduce the output to zero.   In the past it has been estimated by the industry that with snow cover the energy loss in these conditions is about 20%. But in 2018 after a five year study done at NAIT with their installed solar system they found that percentage to be much less, they found it to be about a 3% loss. For more on NAITS study follow link below.  Solar panels shine despite winter's blast, NAIT study finds - NAIT

Question 6

6. Will I still receive an electric bill?

Accepted Answer

This is a great question. Yes, you will still receive a bill. Solare’s Method as we like to call it is - Understand your energy, reduce your energy and produce your energy. We take the time to go over these steps and answer any questions you may have. Understanding your energy bill. There are three costs on your energy bill  1. Admin Fee: Charge by your retailer to cover costs of billing and consumer services like customer care etc. 2. Transmission Fee: Charged to maintain developing transmission lines and infrastructure from the generating substation – Average cost per month @ 4.4 cents/kwh (600 kwh x 4.4 cents/kwh = $26.40) 3. Distribution Fee:  Distributing energy from substation to your home – Average cost per month @2.8 cents/kwh (600kwh x 2.8 cents/kwh = $16.80)  Alternatively, Alberta Government has added a site check out link below. Reading your electricity bill : fact sheet - Open Government (alberta.ca)

Question 7

7. Do solar systems work in a power outage

Accepted Answer

Grid tied solar systems will shutoff in the event of a power outage, this is anti islanding and is required by the utility. It is to protect emergency responders or utility power linesman while working on the powerlines. It protects them from being injured by your solar system sending power back to the grid. Options like Generators can avoid power loss in the event of a blackout. Solaré can help with other generating systems.

Question 8

8. Can I afford solar?

Accepted Answer

Solar over the last 10 years has Dropped 70% in cost.  An Average install would have run around $50,000.00 compared to today's initial cost of $12,000.00 - $18,000.00 and with the current Government Grand you could qualify for $5000.00 off that price.  Combatting rising energy costs with solar has never been more affordable.

Question 9

9. What size solar energy system should I get

Accepted Answer

The average home in Alberta would require ~6kw of solar. For further info on your consumption and usage to determine size of system you would require. Contact Solaré Canada Inc.  Contact: 780-960-2044 info@solarecanda.com  (please submit you most current energy bill and address when emailing for quote).

Question 10

10. How do I choose a solar installer?

Accepted Answer

Solaré Canada Inc is a credited member of Solar Alberta - Solar Alberta New to solar? we recommend visiting this site for all your solar 101 questions.   Visit Solar Alberta at How to Choose a Solar Provider - Solar Alberta for further questions and information.  Solare has been servicing the Parkland Region, Spruce Grove and Stony Plain since 2013.  Installations are done by Certified Journeyman Electricians and has an in-house Red Seal, CME Master Electrician.