Solar power systems for the home

[the-rasta-masta]

Originally Posted by Benched

Is the new grant application timeline expiring March 31st - in reference to the 5k credit? Or to the interest free loan?

We’re in the system waiting on our install (with SolarYYC) but it hasn’t happened yet. Our loan is approved, we got the first bit of change from the government and we’re in the permit stage atm.

Just curious if by the time we’re installed, say April-May, that there is a chance the 5k rebate incentive is no longer there? Would we count as getting it still since we were approved last year and have already done and submitted our pre-assessment and upgrade plan?

The interest free loan, and the grant, are both separate funds. The grant is the only one they've announced they are running out of funds quicker on.

You're in the clear though, as long as you have gotten your full grant approval (i.e. completed application and had the third party energy assessment) those funds are earmarked for your use for a period of a year after approval. So that deadline doesn't apply to you and you'll still get the $5k.

[Benched]

Originally Posted by the-rasta-masta

The interest free loan, and the grant, are both separate funds. The grant is the only one they've announced they are running out of funds quicker on.

You're in the clear though, as long as you have gotten your full grant approval (i.e. completed application and had the third party energy assessment) those funds are earmarked for your use for a period of a year after approval. So that deadline doesn't apply to you and you'll still get the $5k.

*phew*

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

[Torture]

Originally Posted by Benched

Is the new grant application timeline expiring March 31st - in reference to the 5k credit? Or to the interest free loan?

We’re in the system waiting on our install (with SolarYYC) but it hasn’t happened yet. Our loan is approved, we got the first bit of change from the government and we’re in the permit stage atm.

Just curious if by the time we’re installed, say April-May, that there is a chance the 5k rebate incentive is no longer there? Would we count as getting it still since we were approved last year and have already done and submitted our pre-assessment and upgrade plan?

It sounds like those that are in the system will be able to wrap up their work for the grant but new applications might be closed at end of March. Loan isn't affected. I'm in the same boat as you - install is slated for April.

But who knows. Hasn't really been communicated clearly.

[Faust]

Firefly solar stopped by with their door to door sales approach and pitched their partnership with Kymand roofing as my shingles would need replacing first. He stated that way the installation warranty would cover both services whereas splitting it out to a different roofing company would not be covered the same way.

I am familiar with Zeno and SkyFire so any insights here are appreciated.


I will be going back through this thread for more information; however, I always like hearing any of the collective wisdom from the CP community.

[the-rasta-masta]

Originally Posted by Faust

Firefly solar stopped by with their door to door sales approach and pitched their partnership with Kymand roofing as my shingles would need replacing first. He stated that way the installation warranty would cover both services whereas splitting it out to a different roofing company would not be covered the same way.

I am familiar with Zeno and SkyFire so any insights here are appreciated.


I will be going back through this thread for more information; however, I always like hearing any of the collective wisdom from the CP community.

Firefly is a sales brokerage. You'll see another company's name (Kuby) on their quote and they are essentially selling your contract to Kuby for the install. Their pricing typically comes in $5k higher due the cut they take for the door knocker and the sales broker's margin. Even reaching out directly to Kuby and cutting out the middleman would result in savings, but probably too late since your name is now a lead in Firefly's system.

You'd get a warranty through any roofing company you choose, and any reputable Solar Company would ensure they are not voiding your roof warranty in their install. They'd then provide their own warranty for their work and the solar components.

There are three companies in Calgary that have been doing this for many years in advance of the government incentives, and a lot of newer companies popping up in recent years that in my opinion don't have the track record. Feel free to get quotes from these newer companies, but make sure you're also talking to Skyfire, Zeno, and Solar YYC who have all been around for near a decade at least. The education and understanding you're going to get on Solar by going through the quoting process multiple times is worth it in itself.

[DylanScores]

Pmd you The Rasta Masta

[Torture]

^^
We had to get our roof re-done before solar, we asked and they said it would not void the warranty.

[SeeGeeWhy]

I kind of want to set up a PV system to power a giant ice making machine.

Ice maker dumps ice into a cold plunge if it gets too warm, rejects heat into a tempered pool that sits between the sauna and the cold plunge.

Need to do an energy balance to see what size pools this could work for given standard PV panel/battery combos...

[the-rasta-masta]

If anybody has considered the Greener Homes program (grant and loan), and hasn't jumped on it, just wanted to note that the government announced today that the grant application will be closing within two weeks. Something new will be coming at some point from the sounds of it, not sure what the scope of the grant replacement would be however.

Fill in your application, and get your AP number in the system to get those funds earmarked for you, if you've been considering any retrofit under the Grant program, don't want anybody not getting the $5k by being too late to the application.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/gre...mate-1.7105226

[Gundo]

So when you sell power back into the grid for credits you are still on the hook for all the charges and fees and your credits can only be applied towards the actually power consumption of your home, correct ?

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Gundo

So when you sell power back into the grid for credits you are still on the hook for all the charges and fees and your credits can only be applied towards the actually power consumption of your home, correct ?

Correct, but if you do the solar club rates in the producing season you can easily export enough back to start eating into those charges and have net negative bills.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Gundo

So when you sell power back into the grid for credits you are still on the hook for all the charges and fees and your credits can only be applied towards the actually power consumption of your home, correct ?

You get charged the fees and all that regulated stuff on the power that you purchase just like everyone else. If you sold 800kwh and purchased 200kwh you would get 800*whatever your selling price is (ie $0.30 per kwh) and you pay the fees on 200kwh.

[Calgary14]

From my understanding a solar club offers higher rates per kw so in peak summer months this is best suited to anyone producing significantly more power then they are consuming, is that right? If you produce at/near the same level as you consume then a solar club doesn't make sense - am I right?

[Bigtime]

With a proper solar setup you will easily exceed consumption in peak producing months. I am currently a year round deficit since my original system was before energy renovations and the heat pump install. Will be getting the array upgraded this year to be back in that sweet spot.

[Sylvanfan]

What are the long term costs of maintaining these systems and what should I expect to pay to remove it and replace it in say 15 years. How are these evolving year over year in terms of advanced. Is it possible that it's like a T.V or computer where 5 years from now the product will be so superior and similar in cost that the $5000 grant to buy today's system is pretty much worthless? Or will it be more like a ICE car where it will be advanced, but not really that different in terms of function?

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

What are the long term costs of maintaining these systems and what should I expect to pay to remove it and replace it in say 15 years. How are these evolving year over year in terms of advanced. Is it possible that it's like a T.V or computer where 5 years from now the product will be so superior and similar in cost that the $5000 grant to buy today's system is pretty much worthless? Or will it be more like a ICE car where it will be advanced, but not really that different in terms of function?

Solar panels are often warranteed for 25 or 30 years and they'll continue to function long after that should you choose albeit at a lower efficiency. Efficiency now is usually in the 19-22% and that's probably close to the top you can theoretically get without changing something significant. Even if they get to 25% for what it costs today, that's a little more than a 10% improvement and not significant for a residential customer (different argument for commercial/grid scale).

As for costs, it's a bit more complicated. The cost of solar panels have dropped by more than 90% over the last decade plus, but the all in costs for residential solar are now largely soft costs (labour, permitting, etc) and non panel hardware (inverters, etc). As modularity increases and permitting gets smoothed, prices will go down but I doubt it will be drastically. More likely, carbon taxes and price volatility will make the economics more favorable.


Edit: as for maintenance, nothing really. Could have the washed from time to time if dust is a big concern and you can use soft bristle snow brushes to do snow removal though snow usually comes off on its own. Inverters do potentially fail over time and if you need to do your roof there would be removal and reinstall costs

[Benched]

I'm all installed! Already annoying the wife by sending her updates every couple hours with how the systems doing!


What do you guys think about selling your carbon credits? I mean on one hand cash is good, but on the other hand you're doing 'your part' to lower carbon emissions and then some big company can just buy that 'carbon credit' from you, basically not change anything they're doing to make things better, and still get credit for being more carbon neutral or meeting their goals. Seems a bit off doesn't it?

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Benched

I'm all installed! Already annoying the wife by sending her updates every couple hours with how the systems doing!


What do you guys think about selling your carbon credits? I mean on one hand cash is good, but on the other hand you're doing 'your part' to lower carbon emissions and then some big company can just buy that 'carbon credit' from you, basically not change anything they're doing to make things better, and still get credit for being more carbon neutral or meeting their goals. Seems a bit off doesn't it?

Yeah, it seems like you are installing panels on behalf of someone else, but they are really paying you dick all for it, but presenting their numbers like they are totally doing the right thing.

I think the concept of it is ok, but it's not nearly enough money that it seems like it would actually be a big driver of solar installations that wouldn't have already happened otherwise.

I just got my quote today. Our roof is steep pitch, so it's garage only. Surprisingly, loading up the north face of the garage actually amounts to a decent bump in the capacity.

[calgarygeologist]

For anyone with the AP System monitoring and EMA app is it working properly for you guys? I checked this morning to see what production was like this past week and I don't have any data since Feb 6. I know that previously there were times when the monitoring would go down because neither my system or friends system would show any power. My buddy is on vacation so I can't check with him right now. The box shows the cloud light is lit up so that should be working. I'm not sure if it is just a data/app issue or if maybe my solar array is down for some reason.

Edit: must just be the app and data because I looked at my meter and I am feeding energy back into the grid today so my solar system is working properly.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

For anyone with the AP System monitoring and EMA app is it working properly for you guys? I checked this morning to see what production was like this past week and I don't have any data since Feb 6. I know that previously there were times when the monitoring would go down because neither my system or friends system would show any power. My buddy is on vacation so I can't check with him right now. The box shows the cloud light is lit up so that should be working. I'm not sure if it is just a data/app issue or if maybe my solar array is down for some reason.

Edit: must just be the app and data because I looked at my meter and I am feeding energy back into the grid today so my solar system is working properly.

My ema app is working