Solar Photovoltaic

Solar Photovoltaic

Electrical Energy from the Sun

We can install Solar PV Modules on the roof of your home and/or business which will harness the Suns energy and transform it into usable electrical energy.
Renewable energy production will reduce your electrical bill or generate you an income by selling 100% of the energy produced to the local electricity supply grid.

How it Works

A set of Solar Modules is best placed on your South facing roof. As with the panels used for solar pool heating, it is best that the panels face due south and have an approximate 40 to 45 degree slope in Ontario. The modules are composed of a group of high grade Swedish Polycrystalline or Monocrystalline silicon based cells that convert the solar energy into electricity. Solar PV Modules may not replace the entire needs of an average household but it will make a significant contribution to the overall electricity demand. The provincial MicroFIT program is restricted to systems with a maximum of 10 kilowatts (kW) output.
Solar PV systems can be as small as 1.7 kW up to the maximum of 10 kW (Kilowatts) in the MicroFIT program. In general, solar PV panels have a return on investment (ROI) of 10 - 12 % and a payback of 7 – 9 years. The Ontario MicroFIT program currently offers $0.802 / kWh (Kilowatt Hours) for roof mounted systems. Ground mounted systems have a $0.642 / kWh incentive rate. Over 10 kW will be placed in the FIT program at an incentive rate of $0.713 / kWh and lower dependant on size. System production will be dependent on the effective sun exposure, shading, orientation, and pitch.
A 5 kW system will cost approximately $45,000 installed, have a payback of 7 – 9 years and a ROI of 10 - 12 %. The system will require 30 Monocrystalline modules which occupy a roof area of approximately 430 sq.ft and weigh only 2.4 lbs per square foot. For those interested in the carbon offset that such a system might generate this is equivalent to 430,000 lb. CO2 per annum.
Solar PV arrays are fundamentally maintenance free systems. There are no moving parts, everything is solid state, and all of the equipment is fully weather protected. Installations include monitoring devices and a web presence so that the solar PV performance can be measured online and compared to other installed systems. With automatic E-Mail communication between us and the array we can constantly determine if the units are operating to full capacity, diagnose any problems quickly and efficiently, and use the web portal for public relations.

Solar Panel Construction

The solar panels are made from 72 silicon Monocrystalline cells arranged in panels 5 1/2 ft. by 3 ft. wide by 4 1/4 in. high. The cells are laminated between 4 mm high transmissivity, low iron tempered glass designed to withstand harsh Canadian winters. Each module weighs 33 lbs. and produces 165 - 185 Watts. All equipment is sourced and tested in Ontario providing quick product retainment, local customer service, and superior testing and product standards.

Certification and Permitting

All PV modules are compliant with CSA, UL, US and ESA requirements. The panel construction follows the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) and Ontario Power Authority (OPA) guidelines and specifications. The array also satisfies the requirements of the Ontario Micro-FIT program for a minimum of 40% provincial content and 60% provincial content after January 1st, 2011.

Warranty

The PV panels are designed to withstand the harsh climate in Ontario and carry a construction warranty of 10 years and an efficiency warranty of 25 years, 90% for the first 12 years, and 80% for the remaining 13 years.

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