Residential Solar Services
Residential Solar Installation in Coquitlam
According to Nicholas Gall, the director of the Canadian Renewable Energy Association, demand for photovoltaic installations is rapidly increasing all over Canada. This is one contributing factor that leads homeowners to opt for residential solar installation.
To help address this demand, Coquitlam Solar Energy provides professional and licensed electricians with expertise in solar energy systems to help homeowners. Whether installing rooftop panels for your home for the first time or replacing an existing system, we can give you the best options.
Factors to Consider When Installing a PV Panel System
The sun power generation for residential purposes has increased significantly over the past decade. It has grown from just a few megawatts, enough to power a few hundred homes, to over one gigawatt in 2020. This amount of clean energy generated is adequate to supply more than 100,000 homes.
Homeowners opt for sun-powered systems to cut electricity costs and adopt renewable electric solutions. While investing in PV panels offers less electricity prices and environmental benefits, it can be difficult to decide. Here are several essential factors you could consider.
1. Energy Needs
An average Canadian home uses 11,135 kilowatt hours of electricity per year. Your electricity usage will vary, and it may be higher during summer due to air conditioning. How much energy your household consumes will indicate the ideal size and the number of panels needed. A home electric audit can help calculate your electricity use (in kilowatt-hour).
2. Roof Space
Measuring your available roof space is important to know the number of panels your home can accommodate. The bigger the roof space is, the more panels it can accommodate.
Identify if your roof can hold up the weight of installing panels and the equipment needed to install systems. In Vancouver, the average roof size is around 1850 square meters. A standard 5-kilowatt (kW) installations would need about 27-37 square meters of roof space.
3. The Amount of Sunlight
Canada receives 2,396 hours of sunlight annually, making it suitable for installing solar panels. South-facing roofs are more effective in capturing sunlight, especially if they're angled 30-45 degrees. This means more electricity generated. However, not all homes, such as those in shaded areas, get enough sunlight to add a PV system. If your home does not acquire enough sunlight, you should invest in higher-efficiency panels.
4. Warranty Options
When investing in a sun-powered system, consider the warranty options you will get from your local utility provider. This guarantees reliable coverage for equipment failures, performance issues, or installation problems. There are three basic warranties to consider:When investing in a sun-powered system, consider the warranty options you will get from your local utility provider. This guarantees reliable coverage for equipment failures, performance issues, or installation problems. There are three basic warranties to consider:
- Product Warranty: This protects you from any defects that could have originated during production. The standard product warranty for home panels lasts 10-15 years and 20-25 years for premium models.
- Performance Warranty: This warranty is when the PV system produces a percentage of its power output. It guarantees an output of 90% in the first 10-12 years and 80% in 25 years.
- Service Warranty:
The service warranty covers issues from actual installation. Depending on the service provider, the warranty may often last 3-10 years or up to 25 years.
Installation for Your Home: Questions to Consider
If you decide to switch to renewable energy system, consulting local installers is important to get a clear picture of what to expect after the solar power system installation. Here are some questions to consider:
What type of units do you recommend for our home, and why?
There are three types available, which includes:
Monocrystalline:
- Made from a single piece of silicon with rounded edges. Best for homes with tight roof space.
- Efficiency rating ranges from 17% to 22%
- Produce a power output of 320W to 375W
Polycrystalline:
- Made from multiple fragmented silicon crystals, ideal for homes looking to install PVs on a budget.
- Efficiency rating ranges from 15-17%
- Produces a power output of 240W and 300W.
Thin Film:
- Made from combined elements such as silicon, copper, cadmium telluride
- Ideal for large industrial installations
- Efficiency rating ranges from 10-13%
How do you handle maintenance and repairs?
Maintenance and repairs are important to remain efficient. A maintenance service will detect issues before they cause more serious problems.
- Panel Cleaning: One of the most basic but crucial measures to keeping your units working efficiently. Debris can obstruct the sun's path through the systems, eventually reducing output.
- Inverter Maintenance: The inverter is a component of sun power systems, converting the output into electricity. The inverter needs regular cleaning.
- Pest Control: Birds, bats, rodents, and other pests might lodge in units. Install critter guards or a mesh barrier between the roof and PVs.
- Electrical Checks: Because these units carry high electricity currents, getting professional help is important to do solar panel system repairs or maintenance.
Is the heavy snowfall in my area a significant factor to consider?
These systems function through the photovoltaic effect, converting sunlight into electricity. The notion of more electricity and the demand for more energy surely applies to panel installations and how they function in your homes to address your electricity needs.
Fresh snow reflects sunlight and increases the energy output of units. The angle of home systems allows snow to slide off easily.
Can you estimate the energy production and potential savings?
Any commercial power company can provide comprehensive information regarding the financial benefits. Be sure to inquire about potential savings on utility bills and how your monthly power bill will be impacted after transitioning to a photovoltaic system. To estimate, here’s how:
- Find out how much the units you require costs.
- Subtract federal tax credits or any tax breaks and incentives.
- Calculate your annual utility costs.
- Estimate the portion of your power bill that your installation can cover based on efficiency and sunlight exposure.
- Divide the total installation cost by the significant savings yearly to determine how many years it takes to "break-even" in terms of electricity bills.
What financing options are available for purchasing or leasing a system?
- Cash Purchase: Paying upfront with cash or savings.
- System Loans: Loans specifically for sun power installations.
- Home Equity Loans or Lines of Credit: Borrowing against the equity in your home.
- Lease: Renting the panels and paying a fixed monthly fee.
- Power Purchase Agreement (PPA): This involves paying for the electricity generated by the panels rather than the panels themselves.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
Coquitlam Solar Energy is one of the best solar companies that offers personalized sun-powered solutions for residential and commercial properties.
We can give estimates on how much they cost, how much energy you can gain from these panels, and how much output they can generate. We aim to provide top-quality PV system installations that optimize efficiency, lower utility expenses, and boost environmental sustainability. Contact us today, and let our team assist you in switching to clean and renewable power.
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