Solar power systems for the home

[the-rasta-masta]

Originally Posted by Yanda

Skyfire, Zeno and Kuby are definitely the guys to call right now

I'm obviously biased, but Solar YYC is a truly local company, doesn't sub contract any work with only in-house staff working on projects, and has the highest Google reviews as well.

https://www.thebestcalgary.com/best-...anels-calgary/

[Torture]

Originally Posted by the-rasta-masta

I'm obviously biased, but Solar YYC is a truly local company, doesn't sub contract any work with only in-house staff working on projects, and has the highest Google reviews as well.

https://www.thebestcalgary.com/best-...anels-calgary/

My only complaint with Solar YYC is that I'm still waiting for my panels to be installed. Is it May yet?

[Bill Bumface]

Solar YYC is awesome, unless you have a steep roof, which is pretty disappointing. I guess when you have the luxury of turning work away, you can pick your jobs.

SkyFire is now booking into November!!

[starseed]

Today I join the club! Installation underway right now on my 9.18kw system.

I got in just in time for the federal and municipal (Toronto) grants. Soon I'll be powering my home and car with my own solar panels.

[photon]

They came and changed out my electrical meter yesterday, so that means my install is getting closer!

[Aleks]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

I'd be interested in what people are seeing for quotes lately. I recently got quoted $31,700 for a 9kW system, which is $3.50/watt all-in. Given how fast the price of panels has been dropping that must be pretty much all install/soft costs. Any thoughts in whether that's in the ballpark?

I'd like to put in a bigger system anyway, as that doesn't use all of my south facing roof. I might switch some of my heating to electrical space heaters this winter so I can put in a bigger array. If the govt doesn't renew any of the funding programs maybe demand/prices will drop...

I was quotd $26k for an 8.1kw system by orizon. goglean confirmed it was high for sure, they se a different inverter that costs more though.

Originally Posted by Benched

Damn that's too bad.

Still waiting on our $5k rebate to hit our account from the original grant. Been about a month so far and our status is still 'in progress'. Pretty confident that we'll get that cash eventually as we were 'in the system' last year in the fall, were installed February, and completed our post inspection and paperwork in March.


But I think it's a shame that they aren't renewing the program as it was definitely picking up steam - more and more people I know were looking into, or actively getting, solar - which I think is a good thing. Without that extra $5k rebate, I can see some people being turned off or the rate of installation dropping off.

Thats the boat I'm in for sure. My dad is on his second solar system now and when I was getting the quote there was a real disconnect on the grant advantage. Like, I'm paying 5k more, interest free loan value or not it was both before, and now its 1. That is not an advantage. As well, having Edmonton with a 4k municipal grant on top of that, like I told them if we were having a conversation for those benefits (5+4 making it 17k interest free) its no so much of a difficult decision. But why would I pay 9k more just because? To pay more on a loan than I do on electricity

These companies are going to start falling off, its precarious to be dependant on non competitive pricing that only tips the scales with grants and incentives.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by Benched

Damn that's too bad.

Still waiting on our $5k rebate to hit our account from the original grant. Been about a month so far and our status is still 'in progress'. Pretty confident that we'll get that cash eventually as we were 'in the system' last year in the fall, were installed February, and completed our post inspection and paperwork in March.


But I think it's a shame that they aren't renewing the program as it was definitely picking up steam - more and more people I know were looking into, or actively getting, solar - which I think is a good thing. Without that extra $5k rebate, I can see some people being turned off or the rate of installation dropping off.

Are you sure it's direct deposit? For my Greener Homes Grant rebate, I filled in all of the paperwork for banking information, got the loan portion done paperless, but yesterday afternoon, I received a cheque for the $5,600.

I'm not sure if I did a wrong turn somewhere or filled something in incorrectly, but I could have sworn I requested the $5,600 to be direct deposit. Oh well. Cheque vs direct deposit is no big deal. For others though, just make sure you don't lose that cheque.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

Are you sure it's direct deposit? For my Greener Homes Grant rebate, I filled in all of the paperwork for banking information, got the loan portion done paperless, but yesterday afternoon, I received a cheque for the $5,600.

I'm not sure if I did a wrong turn somewhere or filled something in incorrectly, but I could have sworn I requested the $5,600 to be direct deposit. Oh well. Cheque vs direct deposit is no big deal. For others though, just make sure you don't lose that cheque.

From what I remember and understand, the loan and grant are administered by different organizations. The loan company is set up to do direct deposit but the grant is paid by NRCAN and they do not do direct deposit only cheques.

It was a pain when I deposited the cheque because I used the teller as I didn't want to put a $5600 cheque in the machine and they had to call NRCAN to verify the cheque but it took a long time to get through to someone on the phone. If you are comfortable with it just put it in the machine so you don't have to stand around forever at the counter.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

From what I remember and understand, the loan and grant are administered by different organizations. The loan company is set up to do direct deposit but the grant is paid by NRCAN and they do not do direct deposit only cheques.

It was a pain when I deposited the cheque because I used the teller as I didn't want to put a $5600 cheque in the machine and they had to call NRCAN to verify the cheque but it took a long time to get through to someone on the phone. If you are comfortable with it just put it in the machine so you don't have to stand around forever at the counter.

Uh... I boringly used the deposit function on my banking app.

[Nyah]

Getting our 4.86kW system installed today!

What are everyone's thoughts on whether to lock in or do floating rates (for summer)? We're trying to figure out the best way to maximize on our return.

[Suave]

Originally Posted by Nyah

Getting our 4.86kW system installed today!

What are everyone's thoughts on whether to lock in or do floating rates (for summer)? We're trying to figure out the best way to maximize on our return.

Will you be making more power then you consume? If so join a solar club for the summer to get your $0.30kWh, then switch to "normal" rate in the fall.

[Torture]

Panels installed on Tuesday, City coming to inspect next week and then we get to flip that breaker

[the-rasta-masta]

Originally Posted by Torture

Panels installed on Tuesday, City coming to inspect next week and then we get to flip that breaker

Glad to hear! Hope the install and process leading up went well!

[Bigtime]

I think Danielle Smith has to come and personally yell at you in front of your house before you can flip the breaker. Thems the rules now.

[Fuzz]

All these solar panels in the city are ruining my pristine views of asphalt shingles. Someone needs to put a stop to it.

[Slanter]

Originally Posted by Nyah

Getting our 4.86kW system installed today!

What are everyone's thoughts on whether to lock in or do floating rates (for summer)? We're trying to figure out the best way to maximize on our return.

I would definitely run the system for a couple weeks, and get a sense for how much power you're generating. After 2 weeks, take your total kWh produced, divide by the number of days to get an average kWh/day. Then look back at your bill for electricity use last may/June. Figure out what your average use per day is.

If your average production/day is greater than consumption/day, make the switch. Then pay attention to your data, and switch back in the fall when it looks like production is getting less than consumption.

Your array is not huge. Depending on what direction they're facing, and shading, you might not want to switch yet. My buddy down the road has a similar sized array, east facing, and he switched April 1 and regretted it. I have an array about twice that size, south facing, and I didn't switch until Apr. 15

[Slanter]

Oh, and if you're sticking with Enmax, you want to switch to "EasyMax Seasonal Solar". You can keep your fixed rate for when you switch back, which is awesome if you have a good rate. Don't go floating

[#-3]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

All these solar panels in the city are ruining my pristine views of asphalt shingles. Someone needs to put a stop to it.

I've reported it to the committee on anti-Albertan activities. Next hail storm, we'll throw a bunch of rocks at his panels. Sure insurance will replace them, but it's another month or two of the sweet sweet coal burning in Hanna for his power needs.