Solar power systems for the home

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by FlameOn

Does Enmax issue you a refund cheque if you end up generating more at the end of the year or do the credits just continuously keep rolling over?

I've always thought one advantage of Enmax is you have other stuff on the same bill - they could reasonably put your power credit against your gas/water/garbage bill, which would effectively get you the $ sooner. Not sure if that's how it actually works though.

[FlameOn]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

I've always thought one advantage of Enmax is you have other stuff on the same bill - they could reasonably put your power credit against your gas/water/garbage bill, which would effectively get you the $ sooner. Not sure if that's how it actually works though.

I vaguely remember reading somewhere that Enmax doesn't pay out microgeneration credits, so wanted to confirm. If that is the case and you hit your next years solar productive cycle, you'll just keep carrying a bigger credit. If your usage doesn't increase, that means you'll never get paid out if the credit is not transferrable to things like gas/water?

UtilityNet providers pay out any excess.

[ericschand]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

I've always thought one advantage of Enmax is you have other stuff on the same bill - they could reasonably put your power credit against your gas/water/garbage bill, which would effectively get you the $ sooner. Not sure if that's how it actually works though.

That's how it worked for me on the current bill cycle.

After getting the microgeneration credit, then removing the electricity costs and fees, then the water, gas and garbage costs, my total bill was a $57 bill credit. Which will be applied to the next bill, along with the new generation credits.

Also of note, I am on their Seasonal Solar pricing plan so I don't know if that makes any difference.

I am told that if you reach $800 in credit, they will send you a cheque but I have not personally run into that.

ers

[the-rasta-masta]

Enmax has their own Solar Club, they call it the Seasonal Solar Rate.

It's beneficial to stay with Enmax if you are already on a lower fixed rate term, as they will let you stay on that rate for your low production months until the end of your fixed term, and still flip to the $0.30/kWh rate for your high production months to build up that bill credit.

The downside with Enmax is that they are a true utility, where going to a dedicated Solar Club can have a few benefits. These Solar Clubs actively advocate for Solar homeowners through government policy, etc... The other benefit is that Enmax locks you into that $0.30 rate, where traditional Solar Clubs treat that as a floor. If the variable rate rises above that ever, real Solar Clubs will allow you to sell at the higher rate above $0.30. This happened last August/September/October where the rate jumped higher and those on traditional Solar Clubs got the benefit of selling back at a higher rate than those with Enmax.

Lastly, there's a few Solar Club options that will monitor your consumption/production off your meter and make the switch between rates automatic, where with Enmax you need to manually switch rates twice a year. My recommendation is to stay with Enmax for their Seasonal Solar rate only if you're getting the benefit of having that lower fixed rate term, and then once that's done, go to Foothills Energy Coop, Shared Value, or Alberta Cooperative Energy, etc.... lots of options.

Typically a traditional Solar Club will need to cut you a cheque for your credits at some point, since only your electricity flows through them, so as mentioned above one other consideration in Enmax's favour is that your credits can offset Gas, Water, and Garbage if cash flow is primary focus.

[FlameOn]

Good to know, do you know which Solar Clubs actually do the automatic switching for you between the high/lo rate?

And with Enmax, can you still claim carbon credits with them? From the drop downs on the Rewatt/resource they seem to only have a sign up form for Utility net customers

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by FlameOn

Good to know, do you know which Solar Clubs actually do the automatic switching for you between the high/lo rate?

I'm with Alberta Cooperative Energy (ACE) and they do the switch automatically for you.

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

I'm with Alberta Cooperative Energy (ACE) and they do the switch automatically for you.

What's their angle? Are the fees that lucrative it makes sense for them?

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

What's their angle? Are the fees that lucrative it makes sense for them?

No. The AESO pays them for the generation at the same rate they pay the customer, and then they buy power from the grid at regular price and sell to you for $0.30 during night etc.

So solar exports = break even for the solar club
Imports during night/cloudy times = huge profits as 30c is way higher than the pool price.

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

No. The AESO pays them for the generation at the same rate they pay the customer, and then they buy power from the grid at regular price and sell to you for $0.30 during night etc.



So solar exports = break even for the solar club

Imports during night/cloudy times = huge profits as 30c is way higher than the pool price.

So what's the benefit for a solar homeowner?

Is the solar club pocketing the difference between the pool price and the 30¢/kwh AND selling you power at far above the fixed rate?

I don't quite understand how DERs get paid as they aren't a market participant and are not dispatched like a traditional generator. They don't show up in the merit order.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

So what's the benefit for a solar homeowner?

Is the solar club pocketing the difference between the pool price and the 30¢/kwh AND selling you power at far above the fixed rate?

I don't quite understand how DERs get paid as they aren't a market participant and are not dispatched like a traditional generator. They don't show up in the merit order.

The benefit is the solar homeowner gets 30c for all the power they sell into the grid in the summer, paid for directly by the Aeso out of their tariff (aka consumers).

As an offset they pay 30c for the power they use in the summer, but since it's less power that works out to a net benefit to the homeowner.

It's also a benefit to the solar club as they collect 30c minus pool price on the usage and the power sales are just a pass through.

[FlameOn]

Originally Posted by FlameOn

And with Enmax, can you still claim carbon credits with them? From the drop downs on the Rewatt/resource they seem to only have a sign up form for Utility net customers

Messaged Rewatt. Enmax solar customers can enroll with them.

[the-rasta-masta]

I've talked about some of the downsides of the door knocking Solar companies previously in this thread, and there's been a few shady sales practices recently with some that I thought I'd share a few links. I don't want anybody to be a victim of higher pricing in the best case, or being strung along for months on a financing agreement with no installation in sight. Stick to local installers, there's quite a few good options in the city and be wary of door to door.


Fluent Solar has had it's Better Business Bureau accreditation suspended pending review:
https://www.bbb.org/us/ut/lehi/profi...-1166-90026312

Firefly Solar has had it's business license revoked in Nanton for impersonating Fortis officials door to door.
https://www.highriveronline.com/arti...ns-from-locals

[FlameOn]

My brother got a Zeno door knocker quote him on a system. It somehow came in $6K above competing quotes and almost the same cost as their quote to me when I submitted a request through Zeno's website, but my system had 4 additional panels. Door knockers must get huge amounts of commission.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by FlameOn

My brother got a Zeno door knocker quote him on a system. It somehow came in $6K above competing quotes and almost the same cost as their quote to me when I submitted a request through Zeno's website, but my system had 4 additional panels. Door knockers must get huge amounts of commission.

My experience with Zeno's sale cycle is they are a total mess and that discrepancy may or may not have to do with door knocking.

[photon]

My main panel upgrade is going to be scheduled soon to prepare for the solar install in late September..

They said power could be off 4-8 hours, stuff in the fridge should be fine for that long yeah?

Is there anywhere in town that rents kWh class batteries? I've always wanted to buy an Anker SOLIX or similar but never had any use for one (just think they're cool).

But renting one for a day to power a couple of fridges would be neat. I know I could rent a generator too but a battery you just plop it right next to the fridge!

The other option I looked at is Turo to rent an EV lol. But none of the ones on Turo have plugs built in (i.e. can't rent a Ford Lightning).

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by photon

My main panel upgrade is going to be scheduled soon to prepare for the solar install in late September..

They said power could be off 4-8 hours, stuff in the fridge should be fine for that long yeah?

Is there anywhere in town that rents kWh class batteries? I've always wanted to buy an Anker SOLIX or similar but never had any use for one (just think they're cool).

But renting one for a day to power a couple of fridges would be neat. I know I could rent a generator too but a battery you just plop it right next to the fridge!

The other option I looked at is Turo to rent an EV lol. But none of the ones on Turo have plugs built in (i.e. can't rent a Ford Lightning).

I'll drive over in my lightning. From Salmon Arm.


For cereal though, I really doubt it takes 8 hours. My power was off for maybe 2.5 hours and we just stuffed a bunch of frozen water bottles throughout the fridge and freezer and it helps with zero issues for that long

[photon]

I thought of your Lightning

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by photon

They said power could be off 4-8 hours, stuff in the fridge should be fine for that long yeah?

So long as you aren't opening it, the fridge will last you a full day and your freezer should be good for three days.

If there are things that you need from the fridge put them in a cooler. That will keep the bulk of the fridge things cold.

[the-rasta-masta]

Originally Posted by photon

My main panel upgrade is going to be scheduled soon to prepare for the solar install in late September..

They said power could be off 4-8 hours, stuff in the fridge should be fine for that long yeah?

Is there anywhere in town that rents kWh class batteries? I've always wanted to buy an Anker SOLIX or similar but never had any use for one (just think they're cool).

But renting one for a day to power a couple of fridges would be neat. I know I could rent a generator too but a battery you just plop it right next to the fridge!

The other option I looked at is Turo to rent an EV lol. But none of the ones on Turo have plugs built in (i.e. can't rent a Ford Lightning).

Who is doing the upgrade? Best practice for contractors is to have battery packs or generators at their disposal for purpose of keeping certain circuits live during the disconnect.

[Calgary]

Last week, some greasy door-to-door salesman legit pounded on my door, trying to pitch solar power. His opener was, "I'm sure you've received plenty of emergency texts about power outages this summer." No, sir, I haven't received a single one. Now, get off my lawn!