Solar Electric (Photovoltaic) Power Generation

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Solar Electric (Photovoltaic Power Generation)

Make money selling energy to your local utility company

Increase the value of your home

Produce reliable, clean energy that reduces the burning of fossil fuels

Contribute to a healthier environment by reducing pollution

Reduce CO2 emissions that contribute to global warming

Under new legislation, Ontario's utility companies are required to contract with homeowners under the Standard Offer Program to pay 80.2 cents for each Kilowatt-Hour of electricity exported to the grid.

You can get about $1,000 per year per Kilowatt capacity in payments from your electricity utility company. This gives a rate of return of over 10 percent , better than you can make on Guaranteed Investment Certificates.

Your property value will be increased because your money-earning contract with the electrical utility company can be taken over by a buyer.
You can offset tax on your income by depreciating your system.

What Is a Grid-Tie Solar Electric System?
A solar electric system converts energy from sunlight to alternating-current electricity exactly like the electricity provided by your electric utility company. This electricity is fed into the electrical grid through a separate meter on your home. The system does not feed electricity directly to your household, it pumps energy into the utility grid for you and others to use. Remarkably, the payment you receive for electricity generated is several times greater than what you pay the utility company for electricity.

What Makes Up a Solar Electric System?
Solar Panels mounted on a South-facing rooftop, that convert sunlight into direct-current electricity
Combiner box and direct-current and alternating-current disconnects
Synchronous Inverter that converts direct-current to alternating-current, compatible with your electric utility
Electric meter that records the amount of energy exported to the grid
Mounting components , wiring, conduit, protective fuses, lightning arrestor, etc.

How Safe Is a Grid-Tie Solar Electric System?
The system is very safe. All solar panel wiring is connected through a combiner box on the rooftop which protects connections from weather and from physical contact from birds, animals or humans. Direct-current wiring from the combiner box to the inverter is routed through conduit and protected by lightning arrestors. Direct-current and alternating-current disconnects are provided to allow the panels to be disconnected from the inverter and the inverter to be disconnected from the electric grid. The inverter is in a protective enclosure.
Final installation of the system is done by a licenced master electrician, and an inspection is done by the electrical utility and the Electrical Safety Authority before the system is connected to the grid.

How Long Will a Solar System Last?
At least 20 years. There are no moving parts to wear out. Some early solar systems are still in use after 25 to 30 years, and no one knows for sure how long modern systems will last, but it could be the lifetime of your house.

What Size of System Can Be Installed?
Depending on the size of the rooftop, the style of roof, and the orientation to the sun (directly South or Southwest is required), systems from 3 Kilowatts to 10 Kilowatts can be installed.
3 kilowatt system (small) -- requires 18 solar panels, about 200 square feet
5 kilowatt system (medium) -- requires 28 solar panels, about 350 square feet
10 kilowatt system (large) -- requires 56 solar panels, about 700 square feet

What Are the Requirements for My Home?
A South or Southwest-facing rooftop , not shaded by other buildings or trees
Roofing in good condition (it's time to get your roof re-shingled if it it's not good)

What Will It Cost and What Will I Get Back?
Costs vary, depending on the size of the system and how difficult the installation is. You can expect to pay between $8,000 and $10,000 per Kilowatt of installed capacity. That will give you a return from sale of electricity of about $1000 per year per Kilowatt.

Why you should consider installing a solar electric system on your rooftop

Using solar energy to produce electricity makes sense
financially and environmentally