How to make money with solar panels

Selling Solar Power Into The Ontario Grid—A Case Study

SolarLine microFIT in Whitby

Ontario MicroFIT installs can be a dream come true or a nightmare on wheels. Picking the right contractor is the most essential ingredient in the recipe for installing solar panels properly. Navigating the application and approval process alone can be time consuming and frustrating. Find a contractor that will help you to submit your application to the OPA, collect all the relevant paperwork and obtain conditional approval. SolarLine Power will be with you every step of the way. From the initial application process to final inspection, they will bring their extensive experience in the microFIT solar panel installation game to bare.

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Once a conditional approval has been obtained from the OPA, you need to design your ideal solar panel installation. Many homeowners are horrified to find that their solar panels are not correctly oriented, are shaded by other panels or surrounding buildings and trees, or make their roof look unattractive. SolarLine Power knows how to install solar panels properly. They will monitor your home’s exposure to the sun to find the solar panel orientation that produces the optimum number of sun hours a day. SolarLine Power custom designs systems to match individual roofs, ensures that the panels have a Canadian Safety Standards approval and are manufactured from 60% local content. Many homeowners purchase cheaper panels, only to discover that the panels do not meet the 60% domestic content requirement and will have to be replaced in order to pass the final inspection. Said Christine of 350 or Bust; “Hire professional installers, unless you have a LOT more time than money. If you are planning to be part of the Ontario microFIT program, make sure that you meet the domestic content requirements as outlined on the OPA microFIT website. In 2011, the program requires that 60% of your materials and installation be considered Ontario-based.”

Solar panel installation beautifully integrated into the neighbourhood

When Kirk Fergusson decided to avail himself of the financial benefits and clean energy that microFIT offers, he trusted SolarLine Power to install his solar panels properly. The team at SolarLine Power handled his application and helped him to obtain conditional approval and approval for his building plans. Kirk’s house has a signature dark green roof. Its corner-lot orientation makes the roof very visible and, in order to maintain its aesthetic appeal, SolarLine Power opted for a modern black panel that blended with the dark green shingles.

The steep roof angle and window peak offered further challenges, but the SolarLine Power team shifted some vents and designed a system that maximized roof exposure while maintaining the home’s gorgeous exterior. They even aligned the edges of the panels with the edges of the roof.

The completed system consists of a Solar Edge 5kWh single phase centralized inverter, Solar Edge power box optimizers, Heliene 245 Watt solar modules (these are the black panels) and a Schuco Solar EZ roof mounting system. This left Kirk with 24 panels which cover 450 ft² and weigh about 1, 150 lbs. The daily output of about 19 kWh (this is averaged over the year) adds up to 6, 784 kWh annually.

Now Kirk Fergusson can look forward to putting fistfuls of SunMoney into his pocket every month. He can expect a monthly saving of $453 on utilities which adds up to $5, 441 annually. Over a 5-year period, the SolarLine Power system will save a massive $27,205. As solar panels have a 20-life expectancy, Kirk can expect to save $114, 256 over the next 20 years.

SolarLine Power has a qualified electrician on staff to provide the final inspection once the system is installed. This can be an unexpected expense if your solar panel installer does not have an in-house electrician. SolarLine Power will also guide you through the final inspections and grid hook-up process.

The microFIT program and a properly installed solar panel system can provide welcome relief from rising utilities bills, earn the property owner SunMoney each month and provide the occupants with clean, renewable energy they can be proud of.

“The guys from Solarline were great. They helped us navigate the microFIT and building application and approval process, designed a good-looking and efficient solar panel system and took extra care to ensure the system was installed properly.”
- Kirk Fergusson

The roof is inspected to ensure that no repairs are required prior to installation. The roof anchors are installed and covered by flashing to provide a leak-proof seal. The rails, containing the wired optimizers, are added.

The solar panels must be properly installed. Alignment is key and placement is oriented to maximize roof space. The panels are aligned with the edge of the roof to create a more aesthetically pleasing look.

Once the railings, wiring and optimizers are properly installed, the panels can go on.

With the 12 panels on the east side installed, installations of the west side panels can begin.

An aerial view of the completed solar panel installation shows how the adroit design helps to maximize solar production and earn more SunMoney while maintaining the aesthetically pleasing facade.

Charge of the Light Brigade

Solar powered vehicles to top your Christmas shopping list

Plagued by hungry polar bears and beset by a shrinking North Pole, Santa is more aware than most of the consequences of green house gas emissions. Christmas presents which utilize electronics, batteries and fuel will land you on Santa’s naughty list next year for sure. All the more reason to invest in a solar powered Ontario this year. We have brought you all kinds of goodies from solar backpacks to patio furniture, but this year we know that you have been really, really good, so let’s think a little bigger.

Ross Lovegrove, visionary designer, inventor and organic essentialist brings us the ‘car on a stick.’ Solar canopies collect solar power and charge the car during the day. Satellite GPS navigates the pod car for you, leaving you free to enjoy the city view through the wrap-around windows. When you park your car at the end of the day, a central pole elevates the car, leaving the road accessible to pedestrians. Your car is now utilized as a street lamp.

Bachelorette number two is the Venturi Fetish; the most advanced electric sports car in the world. A bold claim, no doubt, but since Venturi are the proud owners of the world fastest electric car, its one we can believe. As the world’s first solar-powered supercar… it’s simply gorgeous. With an output of over 300 HP, weight of 1, 225 kg, a top speed of 200 km/hr and 0 to 100 in less than 4 seconds, this 2 seat roadster is bound to make your toes curl.
If you are a family man, need more space than the two-seater roadster offers, or are a fan of the Grateful Dead, we have just the thing for you. VW has teamed up with Hydro Technologies to bring you the Chameleon. Solar panels on the roof-mounted surfboards provide additional power to this 100% electric vehicle. The interior of the minivan is decked out with the latest electronic and GPS technology with voice-activated controls. It also sports ‘exciting rear seat entertainment’, but that’s hardly a new innovation in the VW minivan. The 1964 31-window model was chosen as it is undeniably the most prized among the classic VW minivans.

For the modestly priced options, we turn now to the Solar Bug. Again, roof-mounted solar panels provide about a fourth of the Bug’s 200 mile capacity. At $15,000 a piece, the 900 pound two-seater is flying off the shelves (OK, out of the garage) faster than inventor and manufacturer Steve Titus can make them. Even Disneyland has ordered one! With a top speed of 55 km/h, you can zip around the city safe in the knowledge that you’re not contributing to the depletion of Santa’s homeland.

Too lazy to shovel your drive this winter? No worries, what you need is an Antarctica. The Mission 3 Antarctica is, literally, unstoppable. Currently deployed at the Princess Elizabeth station in Antarctica, it is charged solely by wind and sun power. The Antarctica is able to carry a ton of passengers and equipment over a 150km distance. Able to withstand temperatures of -50°, it is ideally suited to the harsh Antarctic climate. With a top speed of 40 km/h over rugged terrain, this juggernaut will have you counting more penguins than all the other researchers combined.