Solar power systems for the home

[photon]

It's up to a 10 year term so the monthly payment would just be the amount borrowed divided by 120.

$40k / 120 = $333 / month

[You Need a Thneed]

So, I had my first introductory presentation today from Zeno,

I think my system size is designed to be about 7.9 kW, around $20k.

With the federal 0% loan, and the $5k grant, i'd end up paying about he same average money per month, but instead of paying to Enmax, I'd be paying to pay off the loan, on top of that, I
d end up with a $5k cheque to either pay off the loan, or do whatever else I want to do with it.

And if electricity rates go up in the future, I'm just further ahead.

I have to up front some money, but I get that all covered by the loan - what's the catch here? It seems like a no brainer.

[accord1999]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

I have to up front some money, but I get that all covered by the loan - what's the catch here? It seems like a no brainer.

The risk in general to home solar is net-metering changes in the future; the utilities decide they no longer want to buy electricity from homeowners or the solar clubs can't afford to offer the very beneficial seasonal rates they have now. Most homeowners will not be able to self-consume 5+ kW of panel production during the summer months.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

So, I had my first introductory presentation today from Zeno,

I think my system size is designed to be about 7.9 kW, around $20k.

With the federal 0% loan, and the $5k grant, i'd end up paying about he same average money per month, but instead of paying to Enmax, I'd be paying to pay off the loan, on top of that, I
d end up with a $5k cheque to either pay off the loan, or do whatever else I want to do with it.

And if electricity rates go up in the future, I'm just further ahead.

I have to up front some money, but I get that all covered by the loan - what's the catch here? It seems like a no brainer.

You can also sign up to sell your carbon offset credits which I believe should be around $4000 over ten years or something like that.

[jwslam]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

With the federal 0% loan, and the $5k grant, i'd end up paying about he same average money per month, but instead of paying to Enmax, I'd be paying to pay off the loan, on top of that, I
d end up with a $5k cheque to either pay off the loan, or do whatever else I want to do with it.

And if electricity rates go up in the future, I'm just further ahead.

I have to up front some money, but I get that all covered by the loan - what's the catch here? It seems like a no brainer.

I guess the catches also include if you move residence before your loan is up, if your demand goes up for things like adding an AC or charging 4 EV's, insuring the panels? (probably already answered in this thread somewhere I didn't read), etc.

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by jwslam

I guess the catches also include if you move residence before your loan is up, if your demand goes up for things like adding an AC or charging 4 EV's, insuring the panels? (probably already answered in this thread somewhere I didn't read), etc.

In those scenarios you can get approval from Enmax to add more panels. I'll be doing this shortly after completing a renovation at our home that has seen our electrical usage go up from what it used to be.

[Bill Bumface]

Is getting a solar system installed when you'll probably need a new roof in 5-ish years stupid? Does roof replacement get a lot more expensive/difficult?

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Bill Bumface

Is getting a solar system installed when you'll probably need a new roof in 5-ish years stupid? Does roof replacement get a lot more expensive/difficult?

Yes, they'll have to remove everything and replace it. Better to put the new roof on at the same time. I think the brackets can be better integrated into the shingles if done then.

[bizaro86]

What about doing two roofs separately? My attached garage has a heavily sloped, unobstructed south facing roof, ideal for solar. The shingles on the whole place probably have 5-10 years left (depending on hail, etc). I'm not inclined to replace them all to add solar, but the garage has a separate "section" of roof that doesn't touch the remainder of the house (the garage roof is lower). Any issues doing just that piece with solar and the rest later?

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

What about doing two roofs separately? My attached garage has a heavily sloped, unobstructed south facing roof, ideal for solar. The shingles on the whole place probably have 5-10 years left (depending on hail, etc). I'm not inclined to replace them all to add solar, but the garage has a separate "section" of roof that doesn't touch the remainder of the house (the garage roof is lower). Any issues doing just that piece with solar and the rest later?

I don't think there would be any issues with that in terms of solar design, install and the electric stuff. I think the only concern would be with the federal grant/loan program. You'd probably want to have enough cost on the garage roof to get the $5000 grant and I think you can only apply for federal loan once. You could potentially do the federal loan for garage and the City of Calgary loan program for the house later on. Of course if you don't need loans that stuff is irrelevant.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

Cool stuff, how long did your loan process take? I applied about 3 weeks ago and it still hasn't been approved. I suspect the person looking after my application is slacking.

Originally Posted by Calgary14

Application took about 5 days. I think it was quick because I made a mistake on the original application, I had submitted the pre-GST amount and the quote from the contractor came in higher, so NRCAN needed to contact me directly to clarify. I think that's why it went so quickly otherwise I'd probably still be waiting

My loan was finally approved today. I applied at the beginning of Feb and they sent my approval document this morning. I had pretty much given up hope for this and was expecting to have to pay for the solar system with my own money next month.

[MacDaddy77]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

What about doing two roofs separately? My attached garage has a heavily sloped, unobstructed south facing roof, ideal for solar. The shingles on the whole place probably have 5-10 years left (depending on hail, etc). I'm not inclined to replace them all to add solar, but the garage has a separate "section" of roof that doesn't touch the remainder of the house (the garage roof is lower). Any issues doing just that piece with solar and the rest later?

Keep your emergency egress in mind. We have Zeno come out and they proposed panels on attached garage roof as well but that's our emergency exit route incase of fire.

[calgarygeologist]

Hey Calgary14, when you went through the loan application process did you receive an initial loan advance? If so, how long did that take to get deposited into your account? In my document it says it would be deposited no sooner than 3 business days but that is a very vague timeline because that could be a week or it could be a month or more.

[calgarygeologist]

Today is day 1 of my solar panel install. Hopefully it goes up without too many issues. It is perfect timing because my old, cheap Enmax three year fixed plan expires on Monday so I will potentially only have a couple days on the RRO before I can switch to a solar club.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

Today is day 1 of my solar panel install. Hopefully it goes up without too many issues. It is perfect timing because my old, cheap Enmax three year fixed plan expires on Monday so I will potentially only have a couple days on the RRO before I can switch to a solar club.

I heard the RRO is going up to $0.30! That's insane Europe type prices

[Calgary14]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

Hey Calgary14, when you went through the loan application process did you receive an initial loan advance? If so, how long did that take to get deposited into your account? In my document it says it would be deposited no sooner than 3 business days but that is a very vague timeline because that could be a week or it could be a month or more.

I didn't get an advance, I was told I would only get the funding after the panels have been installed. They did need 15% as a deposit up front and I paid that out of pocket

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Calgary14

I didn't get an advance, I was told I would only get the funding after the panels have been installed. They did need 15% as a deposit up front and I paid that out of pocket

The advance did finally show up in my account about a week ago.

[Calgary14]

Is there anything I need to do once I get solar panels installed - notify Enmax? My rate ends in June. If I sign up for a solar club does that impact anything with Enmax? Has anyone signed up for solar offset credits?

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

Today is day 1 of my solar panel install. Hopefully it goes up without too many issues. It is perfect timing because my old, cheap Enmax three year fixed plan expires on Monday so I will potentially only have a couple days on the RRO before I can switch to a solar club.

Pics or it didn't happen

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

Pics or it didn't happen

Not much to see right now as it was just the racking, wiring and inverter boxes that were installed. Tomorrow the panels actually get put up and it starts looking like something cool.