Going solar on the home front

Installing your own residential solar electric system

Sow a little sunshine, so to speak, and you can start reaping those rays.

Micro-generation—that is, generating small amounts of power at the residential or building level—is becoming a more practical option all the time, as advances in innovation continue to reduce the capital costs for these systems. And solar panels can generate anywhere from a small portion to the full spectrum of your home’s electricity and hot-water needs.

Are you ready to harness the sun, and have your own residential solar electric system installed?

Here are a few things to consider:

Solar water heating or solar energy production?

• By installing photovoltaic (PV) panels on your roof, you’ll be producing your own electricity, rather than drawing all of your household power from the electrical utility grid.
• Another option is installing a solar water heater, which can economically generate hot water for your home. You’ll want to consider a well-insulated storage tank, and you’ll almost certainly need a backup system, such as a tankless water heater, for cloudy days.

On or off the grid?

• A grid-connected solar energy system ties your solar PV system to the electricity grid. That means your household can use the solar power your system is generating. It also means you purchase electricity from the grid when your system isn’t producing all the power you need; at the same time, you get credit for sending the excess power to the grid when you’re producing more than you require.
• An off-grid PV system requires significant battery storage. Be warned—designing, permitting and installation can be a challenge.
• A qualified solar energy service provider can handle much of the heavy lifting, including an initial estimate, site assessment, system design and quote, permitting and grid connection application, installation and commissioning.

A cold climate hampers solar power generation, right?

• Wrong. A solar PV system based in Calgary produces about the same amount of energy a year as an equivalent system in Miami.
• Solar heating and electricity technology operate more efficiently in cold ambient temperatures, especially very cold days with clear skies.
• The Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA) estimates that Alberta’s solar energy resource is equivalent to the province’s remaining conventional established oil reserves.

What about government incentives?

Depending on where you live, government incentives or rebates may be available to subsidize your investment in a residential solar system:

• In Alberta, there’s the Alberta Municipal Solar Program, the Growing Forward agricultural program, and the SPARK Green Offset Program;
• In Saskatchewan, the Net Metering Rebate is available to some electricity customers;
• In the Northwest Territories, grants are available through the small, medium and community renewable energy funds;
• Check with Natural Resources Canada to find out more on incentives for solar, energy efficiency and water savings upgrades in the province where you live.

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