Frequently Asked Questions
With upfront cash financing the typical payback period is 10 to 12 years depending on your electricity consumption, system size and solar access. The expected lifespan of a system is at least 25 years, more than double the payback period, so it is important to think long term.
When financed over the lifespan the typical homeowner will see a net savings on their electricity costs in the first year of ownership and savings will increase year over year.
Check out or blog post on the Economics of Residential Solar in Alberta to learn more.
Residential systems in Alberta fall under the microgeneration regulation which specifies that your solar system can be sized only to offset your expected annual consumption.
For a typical residential household using 7200kWh annually, a 5kW (DC) system with approximately 15 solar panels would offset 100% of annual consumption. Sizing of your system will depend on your consumption profile and solar access at your property.
Request a Free Solar Proposal and let us design a customized system to meet your needs.
Solar manufacturers are now offering up to 25 year warranties on panels and inverters. Typical lifespan on panels is up to 30 years, but after 30 years even if still functioning the panel output may have reduced to a level where it makes sense to replace them.
Solar panels are made with tempered glass and are very resistant to hail damage. We use only top tier panels which are tested to an international standard which simulates 35mm (1.375 inch) hail impact at terminal velocity. In the rare case that a panel is damaged by hail it would typically be covered by your home insurance.
Snow has a minimal effect on solar production, typically less than 5% of annual production. The first sun following a snow fall will quickly melt the snow and clean your panels for you! We don't recommend trying to clear snow from rooftop panels yourself as this can be quite dangerous. We do offer year-round solar maintenance and inspection service which includes snow removal when safe for our staff to do so.
Each solar panel contains many solar cells, typically 60 to 70 cells per panel, which are electrically connected together. Each cell is made from two layers of semi-conducting material, typically silicon, the same material used to make computer chips. The layers of the solar cell are modified at the factory using a process known as doping. One layer is doped with materials with extra electrons, while the other layer is doped with materials with fewer electrons. This difference between the layers creates a potential voltage across the cell. When the cell is exposed to light the photons knock extra electrons from one layer to the other, generating a current. The current and voltage of each cell is quite small but when the cells and panels are connected together a significant amount of electricity can be produced. The electricity from each panel is direct current (DC) and is converted to alternating current (AC) by an inverter so that it can supply your home or be exported to the local electrical grid.
Solar panels and inverters contain valuable materials including glass, aluminum and other metals which can be recycled. Panel manufactures have also worked to establish designs and standards to make panels easier to recycle. It is up to the local industry and government to establish programs to ensure that end of life solar components are properly collected for recycling. Some jurisdictions such as California and Australia, which have large and more mature solar installation base, have established successful programs to reclaim and recycle components. In Canada such programs are not yet in place, but it is expected that these programs will be established as the industry grows and more components near end of life.
No, a solar system alone will not keep your lights on and are actually designed to shut down when the grid power goes out. If a reliable source of back-up power is required we also offer energy storage systems which can be installed with or without solar.
If you haven't found the answer to your question here don't hesitate to contact us!