Last week I provided some beginner pointers about choosing solar panels. Here are some further things to keep in mind.
Power
Solar energy is measured in Watts. Most panels are described by their maximum, or ideal output in an hour: a 100 Watt solar panel will generate 100 Watts of power per hour on a sunny day. This also provides a useful metric for comparing panels. The cost of panels is usually compared by determining the number of Watts (per hour) per dollar the panel generates.
Image: Wayne National Forest / Flickr
Set-Up
When you are choosing your solar panels, you might also need to talk to your utility about how you can connect your panels to the grid. And you will also need to consider how you the energy from the panels will be used. Since solar panels only generate DC energy, you will need an AC adapter to attach it to your home’s power supply.
You will also need to consider what you want to do with the energy the panel is generating, when you aren’t using it. On a sunny day, your panels might generate more energy than you need. In some jurisdictions, they might even pay you to sell some of your electricity back to the grid. Or you might just store it in a battery in case of a power outage, or for a time when your energy usage rises again. Talking to a professional can help you make that decision, and see what your options are.
Cost
As I mentioned before, the cost of panels is determined by a number of features: the producer of the panels, the amount of energy it produces, how big it is, its efficiency, and how long it lasts. When determining which panel you should buy for your home, you should consider not only the physical constraints of your system (such as where you can put it so that it is unshaded), but also whether the cost of the project will be worth it in the long run. Buying a solar panel should be seen as an investment, and not charity. If, for instance, you buy a product with only a 10 year warranty, will you have produced enough energy savings in 10 years to justify buying the panel?
And when you are looking at the amount of savings you can produce, make sure you look into any government rebates and incentives, and the possibility of selling energy back to your utility.
Hopefully, these beginning pointers have been enough to pique your interest. Before you consider any home energy system, you should contact your provincial energy authority and your local energy provider to ensure that what you are considering is feasible. These groups will also direct you to certified installers and providers of these products, so that you can ensure that any installation you do is correct.
Nelson Goulart
Broker of Record with Signature Service GMAC Real Estate
www.ssgmac.ca
