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The high level of interest in solar in the Kootenay brings Dandelion Renewables to this beautiful area frequently. In this blog, I will cover the most commonly asked questions related to solar power.

Firstly, the entire Kootenay area is divided between 3 utility companies: Nelson Hydro, Fortis BC and BC Hydro. Each of the companies has slightly different Net Metering rules.

Nelson Hydro Solar:

Nelson Hydro service territory covers the following communities: City of Nelson, Harrop, Proctor, Balfour and shores of the West Arm of Kootenay Lake. Nelson Hydro is the only utility in BC that currently still pays the total retail electricity rate for the excess of the annual solar energy sold back to the grid. Net Metering systems are limited to 25KW AC.

Crediting renewable energy at the full retail rate is a controversial topic for the Nelson area. The opponents of solar power in Nelson argue that solar credits shall be compensated at a wholesale rate or the avoided utility cost. They also blame that a minor share of solar PV projects is causing Nelson Hydro rates to increase up to 5.72% per year for rural clients.

The proponents indicate that Nelson Hydro benefits from the distributed renewable generation, which helps to diversify the generation mix and lessen the load on the wires infrastructure. As over a 12-month seasonal cycle Nelson Hydro imports a significant amount of power from Fortis BC, the distributed solar generation can help to reduce the imported electricity.

As there are always two sides to a coin, The City of Nelson built a revolutionary Solar Community Garden project that allowed residents for Virtual Net Metering. Since the Solar Community Garden investments were made on the premises of paying a full retail price for the solar credits, it may be difficult for the City to change these rules now.

Fortis BC Solar:

Fortis BC service area covers a larger area outside of Nelson, including the following communities: Castlegar, Slocan, Kaslo, Salmo, Creston, Fruitvale, Trail, Rossland and the Okanagan. As long as the net metering clients size their solar PV systems based on their annual power consumption, the Fortis BC net metering program works similar to Nelson Hydro rules. Net Metering systems are limited to 50KW AC. Net positive clients who generate over year over their annual power consumption are compensated at the wholesale rate Fortis Hydro pays to other generators.

BC Hydro Solar:

Finally, BC Hydro service territory covers Crawford Bay, Riondel, East shore of the Kootenay Lake, Cranbrook, Vancouver Island, and most BC. Net Metering systems are limited to 100KW AC. BC Hydro annually compensates for the net generation over the annual consumption at average Mid-Columbia prices for the previous year for all new clients.

More Canadian homeowners and businesses are choosing to “go solar” than ever before. Solar rebates and incentives have vastly contributed to the enhanced usage of solar panels. In addition to the reduced costs of solar energy, you can also help protect the environment by using a solar system for your home or business.

Solar power systems generate clean, renewable energy from the sun and benefit the overall environment. Solar power is an infinite excellent alternative to finite fossil fuels like coal and natural gas, as solar power helps to decrease carbon footprint, reducing greenhouse gases worldwide. Solar energy from the sun is free, readily available, and known to have a favorable impact on the environment.

We will now discuss some of the top environmental benefits of utilizing solar energy systems, including ground-mounted solar, rooftop solar, off-grid solar, and more.

Clean, Abundant Renewable Energy

Solar energy is, undoubtedly, the most abundant and geographically available energy source. On the other hand, fossil fuels are non-renewable energy sources; the amount of gas and oil available to us is limited and will eventually run out.

Since the sun isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, we can harness the sun’s power indefinitely. Besides, once you install a rooftop solar system, these panels won’t produce any emissions.

Decreased Air Pollution

Producing electricity with solar power instead of fossil fuels can dramatically decrease greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide (CO2). Greenhouse gases result in rising global temperatures and climate change. Climate change already contributes to severe environmental and public health issues worldwide, including extreme weather conditions, ecosystem changes, flooding, hurricanes, and rising sea levels.

Using solar panels, you can reduce the demand for fossil fuels, limit greenhouse gas emissions, and shrink your carbon footprint. Switching to solar is an incredible way to help lessen CO2 emissions. Not only do solar panels generate zero emissions after installation, but they can also offset a considerable amount of CO2 from entering the atmosphere every year.

Reduced Impact On Climate Change

The release of toxic chemicals like methane, nitrous oxide, and CO2 in the earth’s atmosphere increases air pollution, health problems, and the greenhouse effect. The increased amount of greenhouse gases present in our atmosphere makes it warm up faster than ever before, causing many adverse effects such as rising sea levels, more extended droughts, flash floods, extreme heat, and others.

Powering your residential or commercial building with solar energy is a significant step toward reducing your contribution to global warming and climate change.

Decreased Water Pollution

Many of the traditional fossil fuel sources of energy production, use enormous amounts of precious fresh water resources. Natural gas and coal-powered energy plants need massive amounts of water to keep their generators and other equipment cool.

Conversely, solar power systems don’t require water to operate, easing the strain put on local water supplies and decreasing water pollution overall.

Dandelion Renewables offers environment-friendly solar power solutions to its residential and commercial customers across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and BC. To learn more about our solar energy services, click here or contact us for customized service.

Installing rooftop solar panels can be more complicated than you think. There are many factors to consider that go beyond mere functionality. Some of the vital things include the solar power system’s looks, durability, maintenance, external environment, and compliance concerns.

We will now discuss essential solar panel installation considerations for solar system installation teams in detail:

Install For Enhanced Looks

An attractive solar installation will always take looks into account. An unsightly solar installation can lower the overall home value. A sound solar system should ensure the following things:

• Keeping each solar panel of the same color
• Maintaining the edges of arrays parallel to the roof edges
• Aligning each solar panel to the same height (usually 4 to 7 inches off the rooftop)
• Hiding or minimizing exterior conduits and cables when possible

Install For Increased Durability

When selecting components, it’s essential to make sure that they are appropriate for the installation, and that they complement each other. If a critical solar system part has half the expected life as the other parts, the system might fail to operate in the long run.

A solar expert must take the following things into account during the solar energy system installation process for increased durability:

• Ensuring appropriate component warranties for solar installation
• Understanding potential points of malfunction and eliminating them as much as possible
• Following local safety codes to assure that the system gets built suitably in the eyes of the “authority having jurisdiction” for each geographic location

Install For Trouble-Free Maintenance

The solar system must be designed to ensure enough room for performing the installation work safely. There might be a need to remove a panel, access conduits, or work with other parts from time to time. Maintaining smart designs will ensure the solar installation team can perform their work securely.

A professional solar panel installer must always refer to the solar installation standards that provide practical guidelines for installing solar systems safely and efficiently, including designing for maintenance.

Install For Greater Environmental Friendliness

An efficient solar installer tries to address different environmental factors when installing solar panels. These environmental factors may include wind, roof elements, seismic action, and more.

Wind

All solar installations must stand up to environmental elements, including wind. Understanding seasonal wind peaks are vital to ensure robust solar installations. The roof’s shape and other architectural features, like parapets, can also influence the wind’s force.

Therefore, it’s essential to know how the wind will behave and how to mount the panels best to decrease the chance of wind damage.

Roof Elements

Most building structures such as chimneys, parapets, air conditioning units, and others can block sunlight. Before finalizing the solar system configuration, it’s best to map out the roof and ensure panels will receive maximum sunlight.

Another factor you must consider is the roof’s structural integrity. Installing an array adds further weight to the rooftop, so it’s crucial to ensure that it can support the array. It would help if you considered additional factors, including snow, water, and debris, for the final design.

Seismic Action

Depending on the solar panels installation location, building requirements and seismic zones can differ significantly. When it comes to high seismic zones, solar installations must have enough guarding around the array to stop it from falling during an earthquake.

Dandelion Renewables provides high-quality, comprehensive, and environment-friendly solar power solutions to its residential and commercial customers across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and BC. Check out our solar power services in detail or contact us for personalized service.

Alberta boasts itself as the largest honey producer among all Canadian provinces, with commercial bee farms ranging in size from 100 to greater than 10,000 colonies. Alberta’s commercial beekeepers are continuously trying to decrease their costs and greenhouse gas emissions through alternate energy options to become increasingly energy-efficient, says Connie Phillips, the executive director of the Alberta Beekeepers Commission ABC.

Dandelion Renewables was pleased to work on a project with the Alberta Beekeepers Commission, improving the energy efficiency of Alberta’s commercial beekeeping industry. A report, ‘Current Technology and Energy Efficiency Opportunities for Alberta Commercial Beekeeping Industry’ by Alberta Beekeepers Commission, was featured on the official Government of Alberta’s website on September 28, 2020.

This report sheds light on how Dandelion Renewables helped Alberta beekeepers explore new energy efficiency opportunities to enhance their sustainability and decrease their carbon footprint. We will now discuss some of the vital details that were shared to let you know how we made it possible for Alberta beekeepers to achieve their alternate energy goals.

Important Details From The Report

The report’s primary purpose is to describe the Alberta commercial beekeeping industry’s current technologies and energy consumption. It also helps identify opportunities for energy efficiency improvements to boost sustainability and lessen the carbon footprint of commercial beekeeper farm operations in Alberta.

9 beekeeper facilities were selected as a sample set of farms to represent the industry in Alberta.

The sample farms were visited to achieve the following results:

• Measure the energy consumption patterns of different equipment
• Identify the most energy-efficient devices and methods among those producers
• Make farm-specific recommendations for making energy efficiency enhancements

Dandelion Renewables visited the nine sample farms during the first half of 2019. The farm sizes ranged from 2500 hives to 10,000 hives, with an average quantity of the sample farms at 5365 hives.

Each farm was provided with a farm-specific report with key recommendations for the most cost-effective opportunities for the farm to increase energy efficiency, decrease energy costs, and lessen greenhouse gas emissions related to the farming operations energy consumption.

These site visits showed that it’s economical to implement energy-efficient enhancements to decrease energy consumption at the sample farms ($/hive) by an average of 5.1% for gasoline and diesel, 29.5% for electricity, 2.7% for propane, and 1.4% for natural gas.

The suggested energy enhancements at the nine sample farms should decrease the average annual farm energy expenses from $11.566/hive to $10.839/hive, equivalent to an energy-cost savings of 6.3% or $0.727/hive.

The average size of the sample farm was 5365 hives/farm with an average energy-cost savings potential of $3,900/year. The average energy savings by energy source would be $1029/year (0.192/hive), natural gas $11/year ($0.002/hive), propane $35/year ($0.007/hive), and gasoline and diesel $2825/year ($0.527/hive).

The energy efficiency enhancements suggested were provided to the farms visited, with a positive rate of return on investment ranging from 2 years to 9 years payback, and internal rate of return on investment (IRR) in the range of 7% to 182% over the economic life of the implemented improvement.

Based on an assumption of 256 commercial beekeepers in Alberta with 285,300 hives and an average farm size of 1114 hives/farm, with a similar energy-efficiency cost savings potential as the sample farms average, the energy-cost savings would translate to an industry total of $207,413 per year.

The estimated GHG emissions reduction related to the potential energy efficiency enhancements across all commercial beekeeping farms in Alberta could be 8.1% or 709 tCO2e/year.

Dandelion Renewables offers efficient alternate energy solutions to its municipal, residential, and commercial customers across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia. Visit our website to learn more about our renewable energy services or contact us for personalized service.

Are you considering installing a solar power system at your home or office? Going green in this day and age is significant for several reasons; it’s an economical, sustainable, and responsible way of ensuring you receive an uninterrupted supply of electricity for more extended time periods.

After deciding to go solar, the first thing you should do is find a solar panel installer who can help you achieve your solar goals. Selecting the right solar panel installation company can seem like a daunting task at times. You need to find a solar power contractor that can help you understand how various solar systems operate and their installation process, and guide you to make an informed decision.

If you have little to no knowledge about solar panels or if you aren’t sure how to best select a solar contractor,here you can read some of the best solar energy contractors’ top qualities.

Enhanced Expertise And Experience

It’s easy for any solar dealer to call themselves experts in solar installations, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that they possess a deep understanding of different solar systems. Look for a solar contractor with enough knowledge and experience in installing and maintaining a solar setup, whether it is roof-mounted or ground-mounted. Also, ask questions to ensure they are familiar with the general solar market.

Your solar energy expert should also provide you with quality assurance (e.g. workmanship warranty) for each solar system installed and have the required expertise to answer any questions. Irrespective of your knowledge about various solar systems, you would need someone who can teach you about your desired solar system, take you through your options, and guide you to the right suitable solar solution to meet your solar energy requirements.

Impeccable Track Record

Reliable work speaks for itself, and one of the ways of evaluating reliability is to look at your potential solar contractor’s track record. You can ask them if they can show you some of the systems they’ve already installed for some of their other clients and how you could benefit from installing them at your property.

Besides having a conversation with your solar expert, make sure to look up their online ratings, reviews, and customer testimonials on their website to see what others have said about their services. Evaluate their services based on their strengths and weaknesses, and get a sense of industrial reputation through client reviews and previous work.

Using Top Solar Panels And Products

When evaluating various solar installers, determine the type of solar panels and products each service provider uses. The quality of solar products being installed is equally as important as the labor quality being provided to you. Also, check if your prospective solar professionals will provide you with a free evaluation as well.

Providing free quotes on solar services is a sign of a solar installation company that not only provides the installation services but also offers their expertise on your solar needs. Your solar experts should also provide you with the right options for the solar panel types that are the best fit for your house or office.

Excellent Customer Support And Care

Some solar companies can’t keep up with their clients’ needs, including meeting deadlines, fulfilling customer queries about service or warranty, because they aren’t organized enough to handle the full scope of professional level solar contractor service. This is mostly the case with solar firms trying to capture a broader market presence, resulting in logistical difficulties.

Look for a fully licensed and certified solar system installer that has a decent, well-coordinated team that installs not only high-quality solar products with increased expertise but also provides excellent after-sales services.

Dandelion Renewables provides increasingly efficient and environment-friendly solar energy installation services to its residential and commercial clients across British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. You can check out our expert solar power services in detail here or contact us for customized care.

More and more households have been installing solar power systems due to their increased efficiency in cost and performance. Installing a solar photovoltaic PV system at your home means you’re ready to make a long-term investment toward independence in terms of your energy needs.

Your solar panel pays for itself in the long run, depending on certain factors, including the PV systems age, size and array tilt orientation, your location, availability of solar performance-based incentives, and electricity costs in your area.

Rooftop solar panels capture direct sunlight, minimize heat transfer in your attic, and utilize solar energy to produce electricity for the entire home. Harnessing solar power for electricity generation and use can also be the best way to enhance your residential property’s value and decrease your utility bills.

For most homeowners, their house is their biggest asset, and maintaining and upgrading it is vital to ensuring their home holds its value. Installing a residential solar panel system can significantly help you decrease your electricity bills and improve your home market value.

Will Solar Panels Add Value To My Home?

The total amount of value a solar panel installation will add to your home will largely depend on various factors. An experienced local solar energy contractor can help you determine if your residential property is the right choice for solar installation, your roof orientation, roof shingle material, and shape.

Now, we will discuss some significant factors that will increase your homes value significantly:

Your Home Location

Installing a solar panel system in active solar markets will yield higher yields than in developed markets. An active solar market is that part of a country that receives ample sunlight, has an increased solar installation rate, and possesses local government solar incentives such as energy rebates and property tax exemptions.

The most active Canadian solar markets include Ontario, Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and more. With constant improvements in solar technologies, more and more Canadian homes are having solar panels installed. Some solar systems can also operate efficiently during cloudy weather.

Your Solar Panel Size

Your home value increase is directly related to the quantity and capacity of the solar panels installed at your home. If you want your solar installation to improve your home value, your solar panel size must be proportional to your overall home size. This means that the larger your home size is, the greater the solar panels you will need to install.

Owning Or Leasing Your Solar Panel

Deciding between owning and leasing the solar panel installed on your home is also an important consideration that can help you increase your home’s value. Modern solar power systems are increasingly efficient and deliver long-term performance without requiring much maintenance.

Owning these solar panels can significantly enhance your home’s value as they will be vital in decreasing your energy bills for a long time in the future and reduce your carbon footprint. If you lease your solar panels, you can still show potential home buyers the amount of money they can save using these solar systems and possibly negotiate to add your leased solar panels to the overall home’s cost.

Dandelion Renewables provides highly efficient and environment-friendly solar power solutions to its residential clients across British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Check out some of our expert solar power services in detail or contact us for customized care.

Canada is one of the most feasible countries in the world that has a bright future for renewable energy production. The main reason for this feasibility is the presence of natural resources in Canada that are essential for the production of renewable energy like wind and solar power. Canada has a vast scope of wind power and solar energy production.

Canada is suitable for solar energy

The southern areas of Canada, including Saskatchewan and Alberta, have plentiful solar energy resources. These are the regions in which the potential rewards for solar energy clients is very high. Canada is the land of opportunity for solar energy consumption. People of Canada have realized the importance of making the future of the country brighter and safer by switching to renewable sources and preserving the environment.

Other provinces are also moving away from old energy sources and switching to renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. More and more houses, offices, and small industries will be running on solar power and other renewable energy sources in the future.

Wind power is another big renewable energy source in Canada

Along with solar power systems, wind power is another very conducive renewable energy source in Canada. Canada has plenty of wind generation that is enough to make it one of the leading countries to switch to wind power energy sources. Wind can be used to produce electrical energy, and it is one of the cleanest and most environmentally-friendly. All it takes is some planning and support to ensure the maximum use of wind to convert into electrical energy.

You will not be alone

If you are thinking about switching to renewable energy sources, trust me, you will have some company in the coming years. In fact, in the near future, everyone will be running their homes on solar energy. If there is any country that doesn’t have a doubt to be the leader in renewable energy, it’s Canada.

If you are living in Canada you must be relieved from the fears and concerns about switching to these new renewable energy sources. The country has natural resources for switching to renewable energy sources, and there is complete support from the government and provincial authorities for people who are changing to solar and wind power with more ease and freedom.

What about the rest of the world?

Still, there are so many countries in the world where proper rules and regulations for appreciating and promoting renewable energy sources are not in play. This is the reason why people in some parts of the world are still not motivated or ready to switch to a cleaner, cost-effective, and friendlier energy source.

The rest of the world can learn from Canada where the renewable energy sources’ future seems so bright that it is currently placed second just behind China, in the list of leading countries switching towards renewable energy sources.

Why is government support important?

Even if the citizens of a country realize the importance of utilizing renewable energy sources, there is a need for government support. If there is no support from the government, the clients don’t feel secure in investing in solar or wind power energy as they don’t know what will be the return or future of their investment.

There must be firm policies that promote the use of these renewable energy sources in the country. This is how people will be more at ease while deciding on their renewable energy sources.

Dandelion Renewables is the name to trust if you want to switch to solar energy or wind power. To get a free estimate for your project, click here.

All solar systems operate on the same basic principles. First they convert sunlight into DC power through the photovoltaic PV effect. This DC power can either be converted by a solar inverter into AC power or stored in a battery and run home appliances. Depending on the solar system type, any excess solar energy can then be fed into the electricity grid for credits (on-grid solar) or stored in various battery storage systems (off-grid solar).

When it comes to using off-grid solar power systems, you should evaluate your solar battery options. Battery systems utilized for solar energy storage are available in two main types, lithium-ion and lead-acid (AGM and Gel).

The Best Battery Storage For Off-Grid Solar Systems

Majority of advanced solar energy storage systems use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and are available in several shapes and sizes. Today, lithium-ion batteries are widely considered the best battery type for general energy storage applications due to their increased energy density and efficiency. Most lithium batteries utilized for home energy storage incorporate lithium iron phosphate LiFePO4 cells due to their enhanced useful life, lowered cost and safety.

Battery Capacity And Depth Of Discharge DoD

Battery capacity is usually measured in either Amp Hours Ah or kilowatt-hours kWh. The amount of energy utilized, referred to as the depth-of-discharge or DoD, is taken as a percentage of the total batteries capacity. Generally, lithium LFP batteries discharge up to 90% total capacity of 10% State of Charge (SOC). The conventional lead-acid gel & AGM batteries are usually not discharged more than 30-40% daily except in emergency backup situations.

The maximum ‘daily depth of discharge’ DoD allowed for each type is:

• Lithium-ion = 80 to 90%
• Lead-acid AGM = 15 to 30%
• Lead-acid Gel = 20 to 40%
• Lead-Carbon = 20 to 50%

It’s best to always refer to your manufacturers specifications. Your solar battery’s warranty may be void if the deep discharge occurs lower than what is defined under the warranties conditions.

Battery Efficiency

Battery efficiency, also called round trip efficiency, refers to the charging or discharging efficiency or losses during use. Usually, losses from lead-acid batteries are much higher at 15-20%, while most lithium-ion batteries are significantly lower at 2-8%.

Another issue with lead-carbon or acid battery systems is the much longer charge time than lithium systems. A lead-acid charge cycle can take up to 2 to 4 hours, as per the discharge depth. During intermittent weather conditions, the charge efficiency can be relatively low, and you may not achieve a full charge, which can decrease battery life. In contrast, lithium batteries can charge quickly, usually in 1 – 2 hours, and efficiently absorb energy at much higher rates.

Also, unlike lead-acid or carbon batteries, lithium-ion batteries can tolerate a partial state of charge POS for extended time periods without degradation. Inadequate charging of lead-acid batteries regularly, mainly occurring during the winter, can significantly reduce most lead-acid AGM and Gel batteries’ lives.

Battery Management System BMS

Many lithium batteries come with an internal battery management system BMS, monitoring cell temperature, and voltages. This can shut down the battery if the temperature surpasses an upper or lower limit, typically above 45°C and below 5°C.

Advantages Of Lithium Solar Batteries

Lithium batteries have a compact size and weight due to their high energy density. Generally, a lithium LFP battery is about 25% of an equivalent lead-acid battery’s size and weight, which is helped by an increasingly higher depth of discharge DoD available in a lithium battery.

Lithium battery systems are usually made up of smaller, easy-to-handle sizes, providing increased flexibility when sizing a system. This also enables extra capacity to be added if required at a later stage.

• Extraordinary efficiency – up to 98%
• Increased energy density – compact and lightweight
• The usable capacity of up to 100%
• Partial state of charge PSOC, not an issue

When under a load, a lithium’s voltage drop is relatively low and won’t usually fluctuate more than 1-2 volts from nominal even under an increased load. This is because of its increasingly lower internal resistance compared to lead-acid batteries. This results in low losses during charging and discharging processes, ultimately resulting in increasingly higher round-trip efficiency.

Dandelion Renewables can help if you’re considering an off-grid solar power system or if you need help regarding different battery storage options. We provide residential and commercial energy storage services across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and BC. Check out our expert solar power services in detail or contact us for personalized service.

Solar power is one of the most widely used forms of clean energy today. Compared to hydropower, solar energy is still a relatively newer form of renewable energy; although it has gained increased popularity in a very short period of time. There are some misunderstandings about solar energy’s efficiency because it’s still somewhat new to its users.

Due to these misconceptions, some households and businesses are still reluctant to incorporate solar power into their daily lives, despite its many benefits. We will now discuss some common myths about solar energy and debunk them with logical reasoning.

Solar Power Systems Are Too Costly

This is probably the most common myth about solar energy in both households and enterprises. Some people avoid utilizing solar technology due to cost-concerns. The initial photovoltaic panel installation process does require an up-front investment, however in the longer term the solar power installation is expected to cost less due to the energy savings on other sources of energy (e.g. the power grid).

Grid-tied solar panels enable you to save a considerable amount of money on your monthly utility bills. It often provides you with positive cash flow as you can redistribute your surplus solar power back into the primary grid, increasing your electricity credits that you can use in later months.

Technology involved in solar panel production has vastly evolved over recent years, leading to significant reductions in solar array installation and maintenance costs.

Solar Panels Have A Short Lifespan

Like any other product, solar photovoltaic cells do have a specific lifespan in which they remain effective. However, some people have a common misconception that solar panels are only useful for a few months or years, and break easily, which is not true. The majority of the modern solar modules produced today can easily last for 2 to 3 decades or more, requiring little maintenance from time to time. Manufacturers of solar panels provide performance warranties for their solar panels promising at least 80% of initial generating capacity still useful after 25-30 years.

Solar collectors are also recyclable at the end of their useful lifespan. When appropriately recycled, solar array materials can be made into new products, to continue providing sustainable solar energy for another PV system life cycle (e.g. another 3 decades).

Installing Solar Panels Means Going Off The Grid

Although you can get an off-grid solar system for your home or office, which comes with solar power batteries, the majority of solar array installations are grid-tied. Installing a grid-tied solar module allows you to utilize solar power produced during the day and draw electricity from the primary grid after the sun goes down.

This doesn’t mean that you cannot fulfill all of your power needs with your photovoltaic panel installation. With a net-metering billing system, you’ll receive credits on electricity bills from your utility for excess solar energy produced during the day. So, if you generate more solar-based electricity than you use during a specific month, you can utilize your net-metering credits on your future utility bills. This allows solar PV systems to provide an electrically net-zero status, on an annual basis.

Solar Modules Will Damage My Roof

Apart from providing you with solar energy, rooftop solar panels can also protect and preserve the portion of your roof that they cover. Even if your roof’s surface needs repairing, you can remove your solar panels from the roof without removing the attachment hardware from the roof.

Reliable solar experts always use roof flashings wherever possible to provide a primary weather seal, and also use specialized sealant as a secondary layer of weather seal.

Solar Panels Don’t Function During Winter

Solar arrays do need sunlight to produce electricity. Suppose you live in an unusually cold area with many snowstorms. In that case, your solar panels will generate less solar energy during winter than in the summer. However, solar panels actually work more efficiently during the winter due to colder air temperatures. The sun is less intense in the winter months, which reduces solar panel productivity but solar arrays are capable of generating electricity year-round.

Though solar panels covered with snow won’t generate solar energy, if winter power production is a priority for the PV system design, the array can be tilted at an angle so that the snow will slide off automatically when the sun comes out.

Dandelion Renewables offers environment-friendly solar energy solutions to its residential and commercial clients across Saskatchewan, BC, and Alberta. To know more about our expert solar services, click here or contact us for personalized service.

The solar industry has expanded exponentially in Canada, and so have related policies, solar power systems, and incentives to make it increasingly accessible to its potential users. One of the vital solar incentives for grid-tied solar power generators is called “net energy metering” (NEM) or “net metering”. Net metering, as of Sep 2020, is offered in some Canadian provinces including British Columbia, but is not available in Alberta or Saskatchewan.

What Is Net Metering?

Net metering refers to the way that excess power generation (kWh) is translated into dollar value for system owners. Net metering allows solar power generators to offset their monthly grid power consumption using excess power generation fed back into the grid. As a result, on a power bill, if the solar generator feeds more energy into the grid than what was consumed from the grid in that period, the bill charges are calculated based on zero power consumption for that month. This effectively applies the same dollar value (energy + delivery charges) for every kilowatt-hour kWh consumed and exported through the power grid meter. For solar power sites where net metering is not available, the solar energy exported to the grid is typically valued at a lower dollar value (energy + delivery charges) than the energy consumed from the grid.

Net metering programs by utilities also typically allow solar clients to carry-over surplus kWh credits from previous months, to be utilized on future bills. In other words, net metering allows commercial and residential clients that generate electricity from solar energy to send the surplus electricity back into the grid. Those clients can then use that energy from the grid at a later date, and still only get billed as though the energy was all consumed at the time it was generated during sunny hours.

What Are The General Requirements For Net-Metering?

To use the net metering billing mechanism, the solar power system must be grid-tied to transfer any excess solar energy generation into the utility grid. Off-grid solar power systems would not be eligible for a net metering incentive.

Additional eligibility requirements vary between provinces, territories and regions across Canada. Each has its own set of policies, compensation regulations, and capacity limits for solar energy credits.

What Are The Advantages Of Net-Metering?

Net metering programs typically result in higher dollar savings for solar power generators than non-net-metering grid-tied systems. This is because “net billing” or “buy-back” programs (e.g. in Alberta and Saskatchewan) result in a lower dollar value (energy + delivery charges) for the excess solar energy fed into the grid, than the energy consumed from the grid.

Typically solar power is generated and excess power is fed into the grid only at sunny times of the day (assuming no battery storage at the site). The net metering system provides you with increased peace of mind if you reside in an area with cloudy or harsh weather conditions. This is because solar energy produced during sunny days that gets fed back into the utility grid has a savings effect on bills regardless of whether the energy was consumed onsite at the time it was generated, or if it is used later from the grid.

Net metering allows the power grid to serve as a back-up power source, without a need to add the cost of onsite battery storage to reduce the amount of solar energy exported into the grid or used at night from the grid.

Grid-tied solar power systems and net metering programs are able to help grid power systems by smoothing the grid demand profiles. They can also help reduce the costs of energy-losses in power distribution systems over long-distance power transmission and distribution wires.

Dandelion Renewables provides its residential and commercial customers with highly efficient and environmentally-friendly solar energy solutions across Saskatchewan, BC, and Alberta. Check out our expert solar power services or contact us for customized care.