Residential Solar Electric (PV) Systems

Please see our PV FAQ for answers to those Frequently Asked Questions!

There is a tremendous interest in solar electricity from the public. Unfortunately because the general public knows so little about PV, they have unrealistic expectations about it's abilities and costs.

Yes, solar electricity works very well here in Ontario! BUT, it is terribly expensive!! This is not the stuff you use to run your electric baseboards!!! (Or any other heating appliance.) Solar electricity in Ontario (in 2008) is ONLY cost effective in locations where there is no grid-connected electricity available. For example in remote cottages or homes deep in the woods, or on sailboats or movable traffic signs. Even then it is used to power lights, electronics (radios - TVs), water pumps and small short-term usage appliances like vacuum cleaners or washing machines. Appliances like refrigerators, freezers, stoves, dryers use far too much electricity to be run from PV power alone (in most circumstances).

What size of PV system do you need?
A simple method of determining what size of PV system you need is to add up one year's worth of electrical bills (only the electricity charges - not the connection charges) and divide by the cost of 1000 Kwhrs - typically $110 (January 2008). This calculation will provide you with a ballpark approximation of the number of Kilowatts of PV you would need to meet all of your electrical needs. For example: if you spent $1,200 on electricity a year, you would need a 1200/110 = 10.91 Kilowatt system to provide most of your annual needs. The amount of solar energy available varies much more significantly during the year than our demand for electricity. This means that we will have a larger PV system than we need during the summer (lots of solar energy available) and a system that is too small during the winter (much less solar energy available).

 

Having said this, it must be pointed out that it is entirely possible to run all of your appliances from a PV power system. You will just need a very large system - there are no technical barriers to overcome - just financial ones!! Right now (Jan. 2008) it costs between $12,000 and $18,000 to install a 1 kilowatt PV system in Ontario. These prices are currently going up (not down) because there is a scarcity of PV product in the World!! The average urban home in Ontario would require between 8 and 10 Kilowatts of PV to meet its own needs. In other words a PV system just large enough to supply the power you currently use would cost between $96.000 and $180,000. (By the way the $96,000 system has no batteries - so when the grid goes down, you cannot access you own PV power - even on a sunny day!!) The $180,000 system will deliver about $1,200 worth of electricity a year (at today's' cost of electricity -11 cents/ Kwhr.). Yes, that is a 150+ year payback....

Another way to get some perspective on the cost of a PV system is to add up all your monthly electric bills for the past year, subtract the fixed service charge (typically $10 - $15/month) and multiply the yearly cost by 100. This will give you an approximate cost of a PV system that can supply most (not all) of your current electrical needs.

So, if you are looking to save money on electricity - then a PV system is NOT the way to go!

If you are looking for energy security, then there may be some sense in considering it - as long as you also have a backup generator. (It actually makes much more sense to provide backup power from a bank of batteries charged by the grid and/or a generator, than to charge them by using a PV system.)

If you are looking for a (costly) hobby - then a PV system may be just the right thing. (We define a hobby as: something that takes up your time, costs you money, and provides no financial return!)

THINGS CHANGE!!

Having said all of the above, it must be pointed out that there are things happening in Ontario that may change the economics of PV and wind-powered electricity quite significantly in the near future! A proposal is being considered that will put in place a funding agreement, very similar to those that exist in Europe, that will effectively subsidize the installation of PV & Wind systems. The details of the proposal won't be known until a program is announced - perhaps as early as the Fall of 2006. The programs in Europe are large involving millions of dollars and are designed for businesses and consortiums that put together projects take advantage of various tax shelters, etc.. This approach is not likely to be useful to individual homeowners. The "SOC" program (Standing Offer Contract") that is being developed in Ontario has been released. The program has not been very successful due to the red tape and high costs of actually getting the regulatory approvals in place. Some large projects have been announced, but none have actaully been started. A few small PV projects have been completed..... (January 2008).

 

If you have read this far, you must be interested in having a PV hobby system:)

A PV system is a small electrical power generating system. It really really helps to have a good understanding of electricity, and how to run and install electrical wiring and equipment. Electricity is lethal stuff, and handling more than 100 watts of power should not be undertaken by someone who hasn't done some research on how to install a PV system...

There are a number of books on the subject that are well worth reading, and the topic is much too large to be covered on this web-site.

If you are interested in having a PV system designed installed for you, please send us an email detailing what it is you are looking for and where & when you want the work done. We also have several assocaited companies who specialize in this type of system. We enjoy working on "autonomous house" type projects, where we can incorporate several solar technologies to create an environmentally sustainable, Earth friendly, home!