When designing a solar array, our team has to take into consideration multiple factors that can affect the outcome of the project and, ultimately, your pocketbook. From panel selection to the degree of tilt on your roof, many things will decide what can and cannot go on your roof; it is our job to ensure that your needs are met when we design and install the system.
The average size of a solar panel offered by our company varies by model, with each dimension of length, width, and height defining how many panels can be put into an array; the larger the model, the fewer the panels. The average weight of these panels is about 40 to 50 pounds, meaning the total weight of an array must be calculated prior to installation. In this way our installers can understand whether or not the weight of the array can be supported by your roof structure.
To understand how large of an array your building can handle, it is best to understand the three following concepts: power capacity, structural support, and power necessity.
What is power capacity?
Capacity refers to the maximum number or amount that can be contained; in terms of electricity, we often refer to these numbers as an amp (A), volt (V), watt (W) or kilowatt (kW). When it comes to installing your solar array, we will be assessing your yearly consumption in kWh and taking note of the amperage and voltage on your breaker. The average household uses approximately 7200 kWh, and the average breaker can distribute between 125 to 200 volts into a household. With our software and programming, attaining your solar dream while staying within your household electrical capacity is both achievable and relatively easy.
What about structural support?
Many new builds in communities across Canada are designed to be solar ready. Using durable materials and engineering methods, structural support and load bearing doesn’t pose a problem if your house is newly built. Typically, housing designs allow for the support of panels on the roof simply because the panels themselves do not weigh that much. The average solar panel many consumers purchase is light enough that it can be carried by a single man or woman; arguably, multiple panels on a roof won’t pose any future safety risks.
What about my power needs?
Now that we have taken a look at what your houses capacity is and assessed the structural soundness of your building, we can assess your individual power needs. Most average single-family homes in Alberta draw approximately 7200 kWh from the grid on an annual basis. In planning for your system, our solar designers take this number into account as well as the actual average monthly consumption that your family uses. Typically, this is given to us initially in a dollar amount but within the first few days of the design process we request a bill from each of our clients to assess their individual power needs, and then design a system to match and, in some cases, exceed that number.
The one guiding principle behind how much power we can design your system to produce is legislated in the Micro-Generation Act, which states that no residential solar installation can produce power that exceeds their annual usage by more than ten percent. This stipulation, while limiting, does not mean that a residential house cannot reach net zero on their monthly bills; it simply limits that same household from becoming a competitor in the electrical supply market.
Our team is based upon professional and honest individuals; our goal is to provide you with the means to reach your solar dream, designing a system that fits your needs, poses no risk to your safety, and gives you peace of mind along with lowered electrical bills.
