Dec 17, 2015
Why Solar Energy• More Solar Energy falls upon the earth in one minute than humans use in an entire year
• It’s clean
• It’s renewable
• It’s the future
• If it pays, why not start today?
Ontario Feed in Tariff Program
http://fit.powerauthority.on.ca/
Solar Pays… How much? Is it worth it?
Mar-2012 New rates ~ 54 cents/kwh
Several Financial Models• Buy it outright
• Buy it on a loan — Most banks in Ontario now understand the transaction and will give loans for same
• Rent your roof— Watch out … read the fine print
Fixed Mount Economics• Fixed panels facing south 20-30° incline
• 1280 kWh/kW
• Install 10 kW DC get 12,800 kWh/year
• OPA pays .54 x 12,800= $6,912/year
• Fixed Systems installed $5-7/WDC say $60k
• Simple return = 60,000/$6,912= 8.7 years
• 20 year contract’s gross return= 11.3 yrs x 6,912 = $78,105
Roof Mount Solar Tracking Mount Economics
• Tracked panels follow the sun
• 1600 kWh/kW
• Install 10 kW DC get 16,000 kWh/year
• OPA pays .54x $16,000=$8,640/year
• Tracked systems installed $6-7/WDC say $65k
• Simple return = 65,000/8,640= 7.5 years
• 20 year contract’s gross return= 12.5 yrs x $8,640 = $108,000
Tax Implications
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/bsnss/thrtpcs/nt-ft/q1-eng.html#a1
Fixed Mount Solar Panels
Inverters
Tracking Roof Mount
Tracking Roof Mount
Sea Freight Container Concept
Building Integrated Solar Tracker Concept gives 26% more energy than fixed solar panels
Solar Garage 16x20’ 13 kWDC
50 kW Building Integrated Concept
30x40’ Building 50 kW - Ashton
2 Axis Tracker
Shopping Centre250 kW 2 Axis Tracking Roof Top
Solar Check List• Check with LDC to insure room on grid
• Contractor references… that you call
• Professional Engineer to check the roof and supply stamped engineering drawings and validate cash flow and check cost assumptions
• Apply for FiT or MicroFit contract with OPA
• Get building permit
• Install and commission system
• Collect monthly cheques from the OPA