Enmax Solar (Generate Choice)

[edslunch]

Has anyone signed up to lease solar panels from Enmax? I got a quote and a single unit would save 10% of my electricity bill but cost me as much to lease per month as my current monthly bill. So it's basically 10x more expensive and requires a 15 year lease.

I don't mind paying a premium but unless I'm doing my math wrong here i can't see how anyone would sign up for this.

[TurnedTheCorner]

I will sign up when I can power my home with my own sense of self-satisfaction.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4x...n#.UQh3a78o_8Y

[ken0042]

I looked at it a while ago as well, and also came to the conclusion that it was incredibly over priced.

[jar_e]

Should be called "generate profit from a trend".

[Flames_Gimp]

that doesn't seem too expensive


Choose how you’d like to pay for solar

Option 1

No down payment
$0 down $59.99/month*

(Based on 6.77% APR on a 15-year term)

Option 2

Low down payment
$1,500 down $39.99/month*

(Based on 4.52% APR on a 15-year term)

Option 3

Low monthly payment
$3,500 down $16.99/month*

(Based on 0.029% APR on a 15-year term)

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by Flames_Gimp

that doesn't seem too expensive


Choose how you’d like to pay for solar

Option 1

No down payment
$0 down $59.99/month*

(Based on 6.77% APR on a 15-year term)

Option 2

Low down payment
$1,500 down $39.99/month*

(Based on 4.52% APR on a 15-year term)

Option 3

Low monthly payment
$3,500 down $16.99/month*

(Based on 0.029% APR on a 15-year term)

The problem is my current monthly power is $60 and solar would only save me 10% of that, at the cost of another $60

[Flames_Gimp]

oh that's a low power bill I see why it wouldn't work for you.

[Slava]

We put solar panels through Enmax on the building of our community park. Not huge savings in our case either, but there are some educational opportunities and as a community we thought that breaking even (or maybe a tiny savings) was worth that.

[bizaro86]

On their website, they have the following quote:

Since the launch of the GENERATE CHOICE program, ENMAX has installed more than 500 kilowatts of micro-generation. In 2012, the average 6 module solar PV system ENMAX installed produced 1593kWh per system for the year.

Assuming someone is paying Enmax 8.9 cents per kWh, which is their current contract price, the average system would save you $141.78 per year, for low monthly payments totalling only $719.88 per year.

But those are averages. Maybe you're Joe-Kickass and it's always sunny at your house, the pitch of your roof is exactly our latitutde, and your house rotates to face the sun. Once Enmax installs your new 1.3 kW system, you're going to be generating at 100% of rated capacity all year round. In that case 1.3 kW * 365 days * 14 hours per day of sunshine (it's always summer at your house) = 6643 kWh, for a total value of $591.23 per year. There's no way this pays out.

If you're looking for a warm fuzzy, it probably makes sense to just sign up with Bullfrog and get the sign.

Edited to add: It would actually pay out at 24 hours/day and 100% capacity. So if you can figure out a way to eliminate night, winter, snow and clouds this might work for you.

[Rathji]

You also need to factor in the ability to charge your ipod or power your computer to get porn during a zombie apocalypse.

Some things are priceless.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Rathji

You also need to factor in the ability to charge your ipod or power your computer to get porn during a zombie apocalypse.

Some things are priceless.

Nope, sorry.

Will I have power during a blackout? (say from a zombie apocalypse)
No. For safety reasons, you will not have electricity from your panels during a blackout. The inverter used in our application has anti-islanding protection certified by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), so in the event of a blackout, the inverter will automatically shut down until power is restored to the grid.

Quoted with minor changes from their website. You may want to store some extra batteries in your zombie preparedness kit.

[Swayze11]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

On their website, they have the following quote:



Assuming someone is paying Enmax 8.9 cents per kWh, which is their current contract price, the average system would save you $141.78 per year, for low monthly payments totalling only $719.88 per year.

But those are averages. Maybe you're Joe-Kickass and it's always sunny at your house, the pitch of your roof is exactly our latitutde, and your house rotates to face the sun. Once Enmax installs your new 1.3 kW system, you're going to be generating at 100% of rated capacity all year round. In that case 1.3 kW * 365 days * 14 hours per day of sunshine (it's always summer at your house) = 6643 kWh, for a total value of $591.23 per year. There's no way this pays out.

If you're looking for a warm fuzzy, it probably makes sense to just sign up with Bullfrog and get the sign.

Edited to add: It would actually pay out at 24 hours/day and 100% capacity. So if you can figure out a way to eliminate night, winter, snow and clouds this might work for you.

doesn't seem unreasonable.

[You Need a Thneed]

I suspect that there are much better options available for those wanting to go solar, though I haven't had anything priced out.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

Nope, sorry.



Quoted with minor changes from their website. You may want to store some extra batteries in your zombie preparedness kit.

Sure you will have to hack the system, but at least the infrastructure is in place.

[GGG]

Does this system allow you to sell your power back to the grid when you are not using it?

If it does once we move to demand based power pricing (high price during the day and summer and cheap at night) it might payoff a little better.

[photon]

I just approved an account from Enmax called Generate Choice, just an FYI so you know if (when) they post in the thread they're legit.

[Generate Choice]

The Generate Choice Home Solar Program is not about saving money; it is more about the environmental benefits associated with enabling your home to be partially powered by a renewable energy such as solar power. While generating solar power will reduce thetotal amount of electricity you would otherwise buy from the grid, the cost difference really depends on how much electricity you use in your home.

Each home is different in the amount of energy they use and how much the solar panels will offset. If you use a normal amount of power and when you factor in upfront and monthly lease payments, you will likely be paying more then you currently pay for electricity to have a solar PV system generating electricity on your roofat today’s electricity prices. You should do the analysis for your particular situation by reviewing your current electricity bill.

In 2012, the average 6-module solar PV system we installed produced 1593kWh per system for the year. If you use less electricity then you generate, you would be credited for those kWh's at your electricity rate as shown on your electricity bill, however the majority of homes consume all the energy produced.

To learn more you can go to www.generatechoice.ca or call us at 855-514-EASY and we can answer your questions.

[Nage Waza]

Originally Posted by GGG

Does this system allow you to sell your power back to the grid when you are not using it?

If it does once we move to demand based power pricing (high price during the day and summer and cheap at night) it might payoff a little better.

Anything not used in your house is purchased by your retailer. I believe they pay per electron exactly what you pay them for electrons. If you take the total cost of the electric portion of your bill, divide that by the kWh to see what you are truly paying. I currently pay $0.14 per kWh (not the contract price I am signed up to due to other power charges). Your solar panels would pay just the contract price, which in my case is $0.8 per kWh.

I have gone down the road of buying panels, but just couldn't justify it. No matter how much of a tech geek I am it was just not cost effective no matter the cool factor. However, if things were a little different than perhaps it could have worked for me. There are setups that generate almost 1,000 kWh in a summer month. If no one is home during the day and you have minimal parasitic load than you are good to go.

If the conditions are right for you and you have done the math, they can be an investment that works.

[Ducay]

Hate to rag further, but I'm willing to bet you're still paying your electricity rider fees, even if you're selling back to the grid on a net basis during the month. So suffice to say, its a terrible deal no matter how you do the math.

Reminds me of all the other "faux"-eco deals out there like paying airlines to carbon offset, etc. You're paying a huge premium to feel good about yourself. There are much better ways to spend your time and money to help the environment in ways that can actually have a bigger impact.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Generate Choice

The Generate Choice Home Solar Program is not about saving money; it is more about the environmental benefits associated with enabling your home to be partially powered by a renewable energy such as solar power. While generating solar power will reduce thetotal amount of electricity you would otherwise buy from the grid, the cost difference really depends on how much electricity you use in your home.

I guess the question is- why does the program cost so much? We all "get" that the main benefit is to be environmental; however the cost of the program is crazy.

To generate 1593kWh per year, that is about 4.36 kWh per day. So assuming 6 hours per day of exposure, 1000 watts of panels should be able to generate about that much. A quick look on eBay shows you can get panels from a Canadian seller for not much more that $1 per watt.(sample auction)

So even at 5 panels which is 1225 watts, you are at $1570. Yes, there is an inverter and I'm sure some hardware to tie into the grid; as well as a cost of an electrician. But really will all that cost another $5000?