Solar power systems for the home

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Calgary14

Enmax called offering a seasonal rate for solar owners. What is their seasonal/summer rate and does it make sense compared to a solar club?

Last I looked it was 28 cents for the high summer rate and the low rate is your current contract rate or the current plan rate (12 cents.)

[Suave]

Anyone have recent quotes from Zeno and YYCSolar. YYCSolar is 18% cheaper and trying to figure out if there is something I'm missing to make up the large price difference (same generation capacity).

[gasman]

Originally Posted by Suave

Anyone have recent quotes from Zeno and YYCSolar. YYCSolar is 18% cheaper and trying to figure out if there is something I'm missing to make up the large price difference (same generation capacity).

I've talked to several people now who have had the same experience. I have a yyc solar system.

I just looked at a zeno quote and im really thinking they are milking this federal interest free loan. So their prices went up accordingly. They are consistently over priced.

[Flames_Gimp]

is it still prohibitively expensive to get solar?

for some reason my house uses 200% more energy than similar homes and the enmax bill is killing me, i don't use much so solar would most likely power all the ventilators/suction/cough assist machines/wheelchair and my pc, pretty much only electricity i need.

I would love to live without relying 100% on enmax

[DoubleK]

Have you gotten an energy audit?

Windows/insulation or other renos might be better bang for your buck.

[Calgary14]

Originally Posted by Flames_Gimp

is it still prohibitively expensive to get solar?

for some reason my house uses 200% more energy than similar homes and the enmax bill is killing me, i don't use much so solar would most likely power all the ventilators/suction/cough assist machines/wheelchair and my pc, pretty much only electricity i need.

I would love to live without relying 100% on enmax

It would probably be worth it to get an energy audit done. That way you'll get a better idea of what's using the most energy and what the best way to reduce your consumption is. I was told aside from solar the second most popular green energy change is attic insulation, and an energy audit can tell you whether you'd need it or not

[Flames_Gimp]

Originally Posted by Calgary14

It would probably be worth it to get an energy audit done. That way you'll get a better idea of what's using the most energy and what the best way to reduce your consumption is. I was told aside from solar the second most popular green energy change is attic insulation, and an energy audit can tell you whether you'd need it or not

i actually just completed a full insulation replacement switching from fibreglass to roxul in the walls, We also removed the attic insulation and had new blown insulation 18" deep and I notice that the temperature is very stable since then. The wiring was all replaced, we had new windows installed.


Natural gas bill isn't bad it's electricity that is killing me i switched all upstairs bulbs to LED. My next task is switching the basement suites bulbs with LED, i have a young couple with a baby living there, would leaving lights and a tv on be 300-600 of the electric bill?

i'm going for the home energy rebate of $5000 and then the solar no interest loan, the problem is you have to pay for the evaluation 1st and iirc was like $1000

[RichieRich]

I’m considering either replacement of or addition of new insulation to our attic. Would be interested in who does this kind of stuff and if y’all think there’s value in doing so. For reference my home is early 2000’s build.

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by Flames_Gimp

Natural gas bill isn't bad it's electricity that is killing me i switched all upstairs bulbs to LED. My next task is switching the basement suites bulbs with LED, i have a young couple with a baby living there, would leaving lights and a tv on be 300-600 of the electric bill?



i'm going for the home energy rebate of $5000 and then the solar no interest loan, the problem is you have to pay for the evaluation 1st and iirc was like $1000

The energy audit will answer these questions.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Suave

Anyone have recent quotes from Zeno and YYCSolar. YYCSolar is 18% cheaper and trying to figure out if there is something I'm missing to make up the large price difference (same generation capacity).

Originally Posted by gasman

I've talked to several people now who have had the same experience. I have a yyc solar system.

I just looked at a zeno quote and im really thinking they are milking this federal interest free loan. So their prices went up accordingly. They are consistently over priced.

Interesting as in January/February when I was getting quotes SolarYYC came in just under 10% more than Zeno for my installation and Zeno could get me on an installation schedule sooner.

[accord1999]

Originally Posted by Flames_Gimp

Natural gas bill isn't bad it's electricity that is killing me i switched all upstairs bulbs to LED. My next task is switching the basement suites bulbs with LED, i have a young couple with a baby living there, would leaving lights and a tv on be 300-600 of the electric bill?

$300-$600 bill? Are you on a fixed or floating rate. If you're fixed, then you're talking about 1500->3000+ kWh of consumption which isn't very easy to do; either the renters are running electric heaters all day long, or mining crypto.

[Calgary14]

Assuming a fixed rate there is no way leaving lights and a TV on would generate a bill that big (IMO). Space heaters or portable AC units would bring it up though

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by Calgary14

Assuming a fixed rate there is no way leaving lights and a TV on would generate a bill that big (IMO). Space heaters or portable AC units would bring it up though

So are you saying that I should not be using a space heater to keep my feet cool at the same time as a portable AC to keep my face nice and fresh?

[bootsnixon]

Originally Posted by gasman

I posted this a while back, but it's all updated now. I anticpate a little more than 8 years payback, not including the additional income from carbon credits which should take about a year off.

Google Sheet

I've noticed a few references in this thread to income/rebates from carbon credits. How does this work? Does one need to apply for it? if so, how?

[Calgary14]

Originally Posted by bootsnixon

I've noticed a few references in this thread to income/rebates from carbon credits. How does this work? Does one need to apply for it? if so, how?

https://www.solaroffset.ca/

You get a cheque every year based on production

[bootsnixon]

Originally Posted by Calgary14

https://www.solaroffset.ca/

You get a cheque every year based on production

Thanks for this! It's not insignificant. Based on the estimate, it should offset approx. 20% of my quoted install cost.

[gasman]

Originally Posted by bootsnixon

Thanks for this! It's not insignificant. Based on the estimate, it should offset approx. 20% of my quoted install cost.

It should be noted, I don't think anyone has actually received any money back yet, but it should be coming. Solar Offset is the same company I went with as well.

Note their calculator assumes total project life time of 10 years (at which time you could re-enroll) and assumes carbon markets respond to scheduled Carbon Price increases.

a 10kW system could produce 7 credits @ 55% of carbon price so this year a 10kW system could generate around $250.

To get to the $4151-$5336 number quoted in the calculator a lot of things have to happen, including the price of carbon increasing on schedule which may not happen if the Liberals are ever removed from power.

I chose to exclude the carbon credits from my payback calcs until the money is in the bank, I don't think it can be relied upon until proven

[bootsnixon]

Originally Posted by bootsnixon

Thanks for this! It's not insignificant. Based on the estimate, it should offset approx. 20% of my quoted install cost.

Good points GasMan. I suppose I should say, it COULD offset 20% of my install cost.

[Street Pharmacist]

Sadly not available in BC. Booooooo. Like, I get why, but that sucks

[DionTheDman]

So my understanding is that the capacity is calculated based upon historical usage, and companies aren't allowed to install generative capacity in excess of what is historically required of the home. How do they verify? Do you provide bills, or do they check utilities usage through the electrical provider?

Any suggestions for how to artificially amplify usage amounts to justify greater capacity (and then reduce once the installation is done) without feeling like a dick for leaving lights on all the time? How else do people amplify their usage?