Thinking of saving on electricity bills

ScarlettJohn
ScarlettJohn Registered Users Posts: 2

Hi all,

Hope everyone’s doing good. It’s really great to be here.

So, I am thinking of installing a solar panel in my home. I was thinking of saving some electrical bills. So, the first thing that came to my mind was the solar energy. I am thinking of contacting an emergency electrician from Toronto for the installation of the panels, as I am not aware of all the installation part.

Anyways, I am confused about a few things.

  • Are the panels affordable?

  • How much time does it take to install?

  • Is the maintenance cost high?

  • How often do you have to do the maintenance?

  • As said, it is for making use of the solar energy, will it be a waste of money in the winter?

  • Are there any important stuff I should take care of while installing the panels.

Looking forward to your valuable replies.

Thanks in advance!


Comments

  • Estragon
    Estragon Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭✭✭
    If you're in Ontario, there used to be some very good feed-in tarriffs, etc but with the change in provincial government this has all been cancelled. In the short term, there may be installers with surplus labour and material from cancelled projects, and maybe some good deals. In the medium/longer term, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see grid-tie terms become quite onerous.

    I'd recommend contacting local specialist installers in your area who should be familiar with grid-tied issues, if any, specific to your location.

    Winter is pretty grim for solar production in the Toronto area. On top of low sun (weak and potential shade issues), and shorter days, it tends to be pretty cloudy in a typical winter. Insolation (average daily full sun equivalent) is ~2-3hrs, so 1000w of panel might produce 80%of nameplate STC rating * 2hrs = 1600w/day average (IF you can use or sell the power when available). At $0.15 /kwh, that's about 24cents worth. In spring/summer, you might get close to 3x that.

    Whether it makes any financial sense really boils down to your outlook on the future of grid pricing.
    Off-grid.  
    Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
    Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
  • oil pan 4
    oil pan 4 Solar Expert Posts: 767 ✭✭✭✭
    It's actually more affordable to save energy than to create it.

    Put in better insulating windows, add more insulation above and below your house, switch to energy saving lighting.

    Solar hybrid gasoline generator, 7kw gas, 180 watts of solar, Morningstar 15 amp MPPT, group 31 AGM, 900 watt kisae inverter.

    Solar roof top GMC suburban, a normal 3/4 ton suburban with 180 watts of panels on the roof and 10 amp genasun MPPT, 2000w samlex pure sine wave inverter, 12v gast and ARB air compressors.