AN ELABORATE SOLAR PANEL FAQ
16.01.19 02:47 PM By dlybbert
In the year 2018, there has been an increasing demand in the number of people wanting to have solar panels. This is especially true among many Edmontonians. With 2,300 hours of sun in an average year, Edmonton is one of the sunniest cities in Canada. This is all the more reason for people to harness the benefits of solar energy in every possible way. With the implementation of the carbon tax, people have started becoming conscious of their carbon emissions. The result of this environmental consciousness is a shift towards renewable sources of energy. And, solar energy is the most popular option among Canadians these days. No wonder, there is a renewed sense of curiosity and enquiry in the area of solar energy and solar panel installations.
Here are a list of common questions people have with regard to solar panel installation in general.
Why should I go for solar?
As of now the total penetration of solar power is just 0.5 % in Canada. But, with the implementation of the carbon tax, more and more people are considering solar panels as a viable option. Apart from this, there are quite a few reasons for you to consider going for solar panels for your residential or commercial space.
Firstly, the cost of installing a solar panel is just 1/4th of what it used to be in 2000. To add to that, there are many financing options for you to avail. You can obtain solar financing through the Alberta Treasury Branch. The government of Alberta has allocated money to help homeowners to take advantage of producing their own electricity with solar panels. Homeowners can receive up to 30 % of rebate on their solar power systems. Those in the field of agriculture there is 35% rebate for using a solar panel system.
Commercial solar power systems are often significantly larger than residential systems. So, the Government of Alberta has developed a solar power rebate program in parallel to the residential program, but allotting larger maximum values of rebate that are available. The commercial rebate program is up to 25% or $500,000.How do solar panels work?
Solar panels absorb the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity with the help of photovoltaic cells. So, solar panels generate direct current that is converted to alternating current for it be used in your home or workplace. You can choose to either use the electricity that is generated or send it back to the electricity grid. The amount of electricity your solar panel can generate depends on the amount of sunlight it receives. Our experts can help you with the best type of solar panel for your location. You can expect lesser power to be generated on cloudy days. The functioning of the solar panel can get hindered even when there is snow on the solar panels. This is why, it is important to clean off any snow that remains on your solar panels. In most cases, the snow slides of the solar panel as it is placed in a slightly tilted angle.What are the different types of solar panels?
Monocrystalline silicon PV
This is one of the most common type of solar panel in the market. They are used in both commercially, as well as in residential areas. This type of solar panel system uses the purest form of silicon and involves a complex crystal growth process. Monocrystalline silicon PV has the highest level of efficiency among other types of solar panels. These panels have high output, occupy less space, and have a long lifespan.Polycrystalline silicon PV
This type of solar panel is made by melting raw silicon. The process is faster and lower cost compared to monocrystalline silicon PV. It has a slightly lower efficiency and shorter lifespan, as they are sensitive to extremely high temperatures. Polycrystalline silicon PV is more cost-efficient and offers almost the same power output as monocrystalline silicon PV.Thin-film solar cells
Thin-film solar cells are priced lower compared to the first two options. They are easy to produce, which makes it easier to manufacture large quantities of these solar cells. The economy of scale enables the manufacturers to sell it at a low price. They are not as sensitive as to high temperatures when compared to other types of solar cells. The fact that they occupy a lot of space makes it unsuitable for residential buildings.Are you ready to get solar panels installed?Before you get solar panels installed you need to first identify if your roof is ready for solar panels to be installed. Your roof should have a good amount of sun exposure. You cannot install solar panels on a roof that has shade all day and expect magic to happen. The next thing to look at is if your roof needs any repairs. Your roof needs to be in a good condition structurally. Once your solar panels are installed it will be very difficult to get roof repairs done. Hence, make sure your roof is in good condition before you get the solar panels installed.
These were some of the most commonly asked questions on solar panel installations. If you have more queries, reach out to us and we will answer your questions.
