Make Money with Ontario microFIT Now!

Investigating the benefits of solar power installations

If you want to make Santa’s nice list next year, an Ontario microFIT solar power system may be just the ticket. Not only is solar a good investment, it can make you money, increase the value of your home and reduce your carbon footprint. Sound too good to be true? Read on to see if solar is right for you.

1. Do you want to increase the value of your home?

   A solar panel installation will significantly increase the value of your home. The attraction of generating income from the panels will provide buyers with an added incentive – particularly if you have paid off the initial installation fees.

2. Do you want your home to make money for you?

   The Ontario government is making an incredible offer to promote solar panel installations by home or business owners. The homeowner currently pays a maximum of 9 cents per kWh for energy consumption during peak periods. With a solar panel installation, the homeowner sells renewable power to the grid at a whopping 80 cents per kWh. If you haven’t started dialing your local solar installation company yet, there’s more! The homeowner will not have to pay tax on income generated from solar systems until the initial installation costs have been recovered. Still not convinced? The government will award you a 20 year contract on photovoltaic solar panels that are guaranteed for 20 – 30 years. That’s right – I know it’s hard to believe, but this is a limited time offer, so get it while you can.

3. Do you want to create jobs for people in Ontario?

   From 2011, 60% of the components (including labour) of PV installations will need to be made locally. This has the potential to produce more than 70 000 years of employment in the province by 2015 according to a study by Clear Sky Advisory – 12 to 15% more job years than those produced by non-renewable energy endeavors.

4. Do you want to become an energy producer rather than a consumer?

   This is an awfully nice thing to do for Mother Nature. You will be contributing to the reduction of fossil fuel consumption. Ontario gets a lot of sun, and it’s FREE. It also provides energy security and you will be well prepared for blackouts, solar flares and the inevitable zombie apocalypse.

5. Do you want to save the environment?

   Solar energy is a free, renewable resource with zero emissions. Almost no pollution is produced when solar installations are manufactured and 90% of the material used to manufacture them is reusable or recyclable. Using solar significantly reduces carbon emissions and contributes to offsetting carbon emissions elsewhere. So, if you’re planning to fly to Cuba this year, you can offset your emissions by installing solar solutions.

Ontario microFIT can make you money, and deliver all of the above benefits but—
it’s a limited time offer

A microFIT approved solar power system will cost you as little as $20,000, and as much as $67,000 for a full 10kWh system. Your system will produce approx. $11,115.72* in annual income and a whopping $222,314.40* over the life of the contract, backed by the Ontario Government. The system will pay for itself in less than 6 years and will net you 15% ROI annually. This is a limited time offer. The Ontario Government will likely lower the rate in 2012, so now is the time to take advantage of this opportunity to put SUN MONEY in your pocket. Call your solar installer and get a FREE quote, What do you have to lose?

*Based on a 10kWh system at $7.00 per W installation cost

Off Grid Solar Power Storage

Although it is possible to gather energy from nature through wind and solar power systems, storing that energy has, until now, been problematic. If we are not able to utilize energy on days when the sun doesn’t shine, well then you can stick renewable energy where the sun… you get the idea.

Thus far, we have had to rely on the lead acid battery; a temperamental child of dubious merit. Lead acid batteries (like the ones that start your car) have high internal resistance, sensitivity to cold temperatures and a moderate self-discharge rate. Damaged lead batteries pose an environmental risk in the form of hazardous waste. To extend the life of lead acid batteries, you should only ever utilize about 10% of the battery’s potential. This means that the storage of massive amounts of energy requires an equally massive amount of space. So much space, in fact, that electricity companies couldn’t be bothered. They operate on the premise that they can predict the amount of electricity a population will need and aim to produce just that. Massive excesses of energy are discharged into the ground. I kid you not. Japan estimates that it can reduce its energy production by 1/3 if excess energy can be stored.

Lead acid batteries, utilized by off grid installations, did little to bolster use of these systems as they were not very efficient, unable to retain a charge for extended periods, and needed to be ventilated as they emit hydrogen gas. Welcome to the world of the Silicone battery. These puppies have radically increased battery capacities and are able to operate in extreme temperatures (-50°C to +70°C) and up to 6,000 m below sea level. Mind blowing? Then buckle up because there’s a lot more where that came from:

• Storage capacity is 1.75 times better than international standards.
• They have a high current recharge and they exceed international recharge acceptance capacity standards by 2.98 times.
• High current discharge at 30°C can be achieved in 8 seconds without damage to the battery.
• The batteries have a longer lifespan when working at normal conditions; 4 – 10 years as opposed to the 2 years of lead acid batteries.
• You can recharge the batteries over 400 times; double the number for lead acid batteries.
• Silicone batteries have no recharge memory.
• They do not emit acid during discharge nor do they produce electrolyte pollution.
• No landfill for silicone batteries – electrolytes can be utilized as fertilizer and the components are also recyclable.
• Silicone batteries not only solve the problems of home PV systems, but improve the performance of portable solar generator systems.

The Grandaddy of Batteries

More mind blowing, pant wetting options will avail themselves. Future, thy name is Vanadium. This amazing breakthrough in battery technology is made of (you guessed it) liquid Vanadium cells. They can store energy indefinitely and can be charged/discharged over 10,000 cycles. They can be charged and discharged simultaneously. They do not loose charge and have zero emissions. The Japanese are already employing these beauties to store the aforementioned excess energy and the Canadians have agreed that the technology is viable. This will leave our earth a little greener and ensure that you can play Xbox until the cows come home, with nary a glimmer of guilt.

Solar Installation by qualified installers

When considering a solar panel installation on your roof, it’s a good idea to also consider the qualifications of the installers. The solar installer industry has grown incredibly fast over the last 18 months in Ontario, and many contractors as well as home and business owners are playing catch up. There are plenty of options, configurations, and unfortunately, many amateurs in the market as well. So it’s important to ask the right questions of your solar installer to insure there are no misunderstandings. Here are 10 questions you should ask yourself before contracting your solar power system for your roof top:

10 questions to ask your Solar Installer

1. Can your solar installer provide you with references?
2. Does your solar installer have any training? This is particularly important because they will be attaching something to your roof that will be there for 20 years or more. General contracting knowledge is good, as well as some official training from accredited institutions like the Ontario Solar Academy.
3. Does your solar installer have grid-tied and/or off grid experience? Connecting to the grid and designing a battery bank are very different skills. Most solar installers in Ontario will have grid experience but not the latter.
4. Does the solar installer understand the current government incentives and qualification requirements, such as the Ontario FIT and microFIT programs?
5. Will your solar installer help you with any building permits? This is particularly important for commercial installations.
6. Does your solar installer have a licensed electrician to hook up and sign off on your installation? This is required to qualify for the Ontario FIT and microFIT programs and quite frankly a good safety precaution.
7. Ask your solar installer about the incidental expenses, like the cost of inspection by your local distribution company (LDC), or additional transformers for commercial buildings, and whether they charge any fees to fill out the application for the government programs.
8. Can your solar installer recommend financing options? Most solar installers that are members of The Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA) will be able to provide you with great financing rates from TD Bank.
9. Does the solar installer have insurance? They should have a least a million dollars in liability coverage.
10. And lastly, is your solar installer charging a fair price? Most installers are charging around $5.50 to $7.50 per Wh for a microFIT installation (a 10kWh system). Which ranges from $55,000 to $75,000 installed.

Sun money is waiting for you

It is a very exciting time for solar power and with a little planning, you’re experience can be mishap-free and very profitable. Sun money is waiting for you. Get informed, hire a solar installer, and start earning.

Why Santa Loves Solar Power

No need to feel guilty about destroying Santa’s natural habitat with your resplendent Christmas light extravaganza. This year, you can reduce the melting of polar ice and get yourself off the naughty list by solarising your Christmas lights.

Search online or at some hardware stores for a 60 watt solar panel kit and a renewable energy battery. This will cost between $500 and $650 depending on the quality of the panel. Set up the panel on your roof or in your garden where it will receive the most sunlight. Connect the panel to the charge controller, which regulates output. Connect the charge controller to the battery which should be placed in a sheltered area, like your garage or pool house. Plug your Christmas lights directly into the inverter. Wait for the batteries to be completely charged before flipping the switch. Incandescent lights use up to 30% more energy, so switch to LED and save. You can also purchase solar lights, but installing your own panel will mean that you can solarise your outside lighting all year round and recover the initial costs in no time at all.

Solar Urban Legends

When Regan removed the solar panels that Carter had installed on the White House roof, he sent a clear message – that solar had not come of age. If you are making a substantial investment in your home or business, you need to consider your options carefully and, while you are considering, we thought we might enlighten you by dispelling some urban legends about solar power systems so that you can make the right decision. This week at SolarLine we are busting myths and taking names. Be prepared to be educated…

Myth #1—Solar is too expensive

WRONG! It does take some initial investment, but most homeowners make back their initial investment within the first five years and can then look forward to a 15% or more return on their investment annually. If you live in Ontario, you can take advantage of the microFIT program currently on offer from the government and make a profit from your solar panels.

Solar installations have seen a dramatic decrease in costs over the last decade. This is thanks to a greater demand and more efficient technology. There are several firms who operate locally, making installation less costly. If you don’t have the capital, you can always get financing from your bank or through your solar installer.

Some people think that it is better to wait for the technology to advance and for solar to become cheaper. You can say that about every technology, but waiting will mean that you miss out on current government incentives. Look at the chart for a better idea of the return you will receive on your initial investment.

Myth #2—More power is used to manufacture and transport solar panels than the panel will produce in its lifetime

NOPE! A National Renewable Energy Laboratory report shows that the cost of producing a panel will be recovered in 1 – 4 years and, since most solar panels last for 30 years, they will make far more energy than they used. The idea that panels will one day clog landfills is also unlikely as 90% of material used to manufacture them is recyclable. A PV system that meets the needs of an average household prevents 1 ton of sulphur dioxide and about 12 000 lbs of nitrogen from polluting our atmosphere. Most pollutants produced during the manufacture of solar panels are recycled resulting in pollution that is minimal at best.

Myth# 3—Solar panels only work when the sun shines.

MISTAKE! Solar is not just a fair-weather friend; energy storage ensures that the lights stay on even when the sun isn’t shining. Advances in battery technology mean that power is guaranteed for much longer than you probably thought possible. Solar is reliable, and residents will not have to suffer through power cuts, especially in inclement weather. In fact, solar is so reliable that most highway signs, signals at railway crossings, lighthouses and navigational buoys are powered only by solar panels. Solar panels still produce energy on cloudy days – how much depends on cloud density. Most Ontario homeowners will still be connected to the grid. They supply the grid with their power at $0.80 kWh and pay a maximum of $0.09 kWh when using energy from it.

Myth #4—Solar doesn’t work in extreme temperatures

ERROR! Solar panels are actually better at producing power in cooler climes. Solar panels are very hardy and can withstand onslaughts from hail, wind, snow and sleet. Battery technology has improved remarkably and silicone batteries are able to withstand extreme temperatures from -50˚C to +70˚C. Germany is a great example of solar at work in colder climates – they have more than 2 million homes with solar panels! The cost of solar is also significantly less than costs associated with extending hydro poles to remote areas. A recent survey by the Solar Industries Association said 94% of people who owned solar water heaters considered them a wise investment.