SOLAR POWER Project 1 TWR2009 Select Topics 1Stefanie A White Paper Mathes
WHAT IS SOLAR? Solar Energy is produced Canadians are becoming increasingly concerned about the environment and how their choices as consumers and home owners can have positive and negative impacts. However, many Canadians are also feeling the financial effects of increasing energy prices and costs of living. Finding a balance between financial and environmental benefits can be challenging but it is not impossible. when the sun s rays are The objective of this white paper is to help environmentally transformed into electricity conscious homeowners decide whether home solar panels are the and heat. Using solar right option for them. The problem and solutions will be examined panels, we can harness the from three perspectives: heat from the sun and turn it into usable energy. High cost of energy High price of housing Concern for the environment A Solar Cell is a device that We will then examine why may be the perfect transforms solar energy into company to assist you with your home solar panel system. electricity. HIGH COST OF ENERGY A Solar Panel is a device that contains a number of solar cells. Anyone who has paid for electricity or viewed an electricity bill knows that energy is not cheap. The average cost of household electricity is expected to increase by 33% over the next three years; the average bill will increase from $125 to $167 per month by 2016. 1 The price of energy is not showing any signs of decreasing, which only adds to the difficulties many families and individuals are facing when trying to keep up with increasing housing costs and other costs of living. 1 Leslie, Keith. Financial Post, "Ontario electricity rates to rise 33% in three years under Liberals long-term energy plan." Last modified December 02, 2013. Accessed March 27, 2014. http://business.financialpost.com/2013/12/02/ontario-electricity-rates-to-keep-rising-as-long-term-energy-planreleased/? lsa=1bb2-1e31. 1
DEFINITIONS There are two ways home owners can use solar panels to make energy more affordable: 1. Install home solar panels using Net-Metering 2. Install home solar panels through the Ontario Micro Feed in Tariff Program The Electrical Grid is a system of delivering electricity from utility Installing home solar panels using Net-Metering providers to customers. Installing home solar panels using Net-Metering will allow you to become completely or partially independent from the local power utility. If your solar panels produce enough electricity to support Off-the-Grid refers to an your electrical needs (off-the-grid), you will not have to purchase energy system that is any additional electricity from the power company. If you produce independent from the local enough power to partially support your electricity needs, your power utility. electricity bill will be substantially lower than it would be without the use of solar panels. Figure 1 illustrates how solar panels can provide your home with electricity. 2 The solar panels convert the sun s energy into electricity. A control device converts the electricity into usable power; which then passes through a breaker box to outlets in your house. The electrical items in your house can then be powered using the solar energy. 2 Solar Panels Canada, "Your source for reliable solar power." Last modified 2013. Accessed March 27, 2014. http://www.first.solarpanels-canada.com/. 2
DEFINITIONS A Kilowatt Hour a watt measures a unit of power, a Kilowatt (kw) is a thousand watts. A kilowatt hour (kwh) is a thousand watt hours. Most electricity bills are measured in kwh. (www.td.com) Figure 1 solar panels convert sunlight to electricity Installing home solar panels through Ontario Micro Feed in Tariff Program If you decide to add solar panels to your home through the Ontario MicroFIT program, the electricity your solar panels produce is sold back for a pre-negotiated, guaranteed price per kilowatt hour. You will receive a monthly cheque based on the energy your solar panels contribute to the power supply; you are paid a guaranteed price over a 20 year term. 3 3 Ontario Power Authority, "About MircoFIT." Last modified 2014. Accessed March 27, 2014. http://microfit.powerauthority.on.ca/about-microfit. 3
MICROFIT Therefore, you will still receive a regular electricity bill for your household electricity usage, however you will also receive monthly cheques based on the amount of electricity your solar panels produce. Figure 2 illustrates how the MicroFIT program works. 4 The MicroFIT Program was launched in 2009 as part of the Ontario government s efforts to increase renewable energy in the province. The program provides homeowners and other eligible participants with the opportunity to develop a small or micro renewable electricity generation project (10 kilowatts (kw) or less in size) on their property. (http://microfit.powerautho rity.on.ca/about-microfit) Figure 2 MicroFIT solar panel system The electricity produced by the solar panels is transferred to the electrical grid through the export utility meter. The export utility meter keeps a record of the amount of electricity produced in kilowatt hours. You then receive a monthly cheque based on the amount of electricity transferred to the electrical grid. HIGH COST OF HOUSING As housing prices continue to rise, home owners are looking for ways to offset the expensive cost of home ownership. In addition to making electricity more affordable, solar panels can also increase the value of your home. Since solar panels reduce the cost of running your home, your home will be more appealing to prospective buyers. 4 Government Grants Guaranteed, "Ontario's solar FIT program." Last modified 2010. Accessed March 27, 2014. http://www.governmentgrantsguaranteed.com/ontariosolar.html. 4
I recently had the opportunity to sell a home with a solar power system from PURE Energies. At first I was hesitant about it as solar power is seen as a new technology. However, because PURE Energies de-risks the homeowner by taking all responsibility for the system, it quickly became a selling point for the new owner. The solar power system is really a silent tenant on the rooftop. - "One of the challenges we do have, is for an average family to install solar panels, it's very expensive. It's really exciting to see how the Green Energy Act is being so creatively applied, and how average Ontarians are taking advantage of it." - Visit TESTIMONIALS to view more testimonials DO YOUR PART FOR THE ENVIRONMENT Many Canadians are concerned about making environmentally conscious choices, but it can be difficult to know where to start. Home solar panels are a great option for people interested in doing their part to protect the environment, while also benefiting financially. Solar power is a natural and renewable energy source that does not produce any bi-products or pollutants into the environment. By choosing to use solar power, you are helping make Canada a leader in solar energy and environmental protection. WHY? is a leader in residential solar systems installation and maintenance. We are committed to helping you find the solar energy solution that is right for you. We offer two options to help make solar panels affordable on any budget: Option 1: Purchase or Finance Option 2: Free when you register with the MicroFIT program Whichever option you choose, will 5 : Install, monitor, and maintain your solar panels Provide a 20 year warranty on all parts Call us at Visit our website at 5 5