Frequently Asked Questions

There are currently two great federal incentives available for homeowners that retrofit with solar. A $5000 rebate from BC Hydro and a $40,000 interest free loan from the Federal Government. These incentives can be paired and used together making solar a viable option for most homes.

As a renewable energy source, solar has an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change, which is critical to protecting humans, wildlife, and ecosystems. Solar energy can also improve air quality and reduce water use from energy production. That occurs by reducing our reliance on foreign oil and fossil fuels.

Solar power is pollution free and does not emit greenhouse gases which is why it is one of the cleanest sources of energy.

Energy consumption is measured in kWh monthly or bi-monthly on your utility statements. BC Hydro allows online access  or you may receive mailed copies. Ideally you would check your annual production by viewing your consumption over a 12-month period to reflect the seasons. This would enable you to install a system that would meet your annual needs by overproducing in the summer to compensate for the winter months.

1. Solar panels convert energy from the sun into direct current (DC) electricity.
2. Inverters convert the DC electricity into alternating current (AC) electricity, which is readily used by your home or business.
3. The electricity your system generates powers your home or business first, and excess generation is sent to the distribution grid.
4. Your smart meter measures how much of the electricity supplied by BC Hydro you’ve used, and how much excess you’ve sent to the grid.
5. Your excess generation is credited to you on your next bill. If you still have generation credits on your anniversary date (March 1), BC Hydro pay you for the excess electricity at market price.

Net metering is designed for those who generate electricity for personal consumption. It allows you to power your home or business with renewable energy in a self-sufficient way, but with the flexibility to rely on the grid if you need it.

As of March 2024, over 8,900 customers are participating in our self-generation program, with the majority using a solar photovoltaic (PV) system. Some customers install a battery to store excess energy they generate to use when they want to, or as backup energy during a power outage.

How it works:

When you generate more electricity than you need (ie in the summer), you feed it back to the grid and get a generation credit towards your future electricity use. When you don’t generate enough to meet your needs (ie in the winter), you buy it from us.

Find out more at BC Hydro website 

Solar energy is energy from the sun in the form of radiated heat and light. The sun’s radiant energy can be used to provide lighting and heat for buildings and to produce electricity. That means that even if panels aren’t under direct sunlight they are still capable of producing energy through irradiation. Having said that, solar panels are not capable of producing energy during the evening. Just to be clear.

All systems installed in BC can handle a certain snow load based on the geographic area in which you are located. Our solar technicians install systems accordingly. Solar panels have a sleek surface which is much more efficient for clearing snow naturally opposed to shingled roofs for example. In the lower mainland our annual snowfall is low, however rest assured snow will clear naturally from your system and there is no need to panic if panels do become covered in snow.

Depending on the size of your system, it may be enough to cover part of, or go net zero. Fortunately, BC Hydro offers a great net metering program which enables solar producers to offset their generation from surplus months toward their bill in deficit months. By providing our solar experts with your energy consumption through previous BC Hydro bills, we will be able to design a system that perfectly suits your energy requirements.

There are currently two incentives available for homeowners and one for businesses. Eligible homeowners are able to claim a $5000 rebate from BC Hydro toward their solar installation. They are also eligible for a $40,000 interest free loan toward their solar installation from the federal government. These offers can be used in tandem and should be more than enough to cover the cost of a system which meets the electrical need for most homeowners. Businesses are eligible for an accelerate capital cost allowance as an additional tax incentive from adding solar. To find out more about these incentives, head over to our incentive page

The answer is simple. Fill this form to get a free solar assessment form one of our solar experts.

Installing solar will actually increase the lifespan of your roof by protecting it from the elements, in particular direct sunlight. Most roofs are suitable for solar. We have experience installing on flat, shingle, metal, composite and more. We have installed several systems on 12 x 12 pitch roofs but will not install on anything steeper to protect our installation team.

The main differences between string inverters and microinverters lie in their design, function, and application in solar energy systems. Here’s a breakdown:

String Inverters:

1. Configuration: Connects multiple solar panels (strings) in series.
2. Centralized Control: All panels in a string operate under the same voltage and current conditions, making the system simpler but less flexible.
3. Cost-Effective: Typically cheaper per watt compared to microinverters, making them a popular choice for larger installations.
4. Efficiency: Performance can be affected by shading on any single panel, as it impacts the entire string.
5. Maintenance: Easier to maintain as there’s only one inverter to monitor and service.

Microinverters:

1. Configuration: Each solar panel has its own microinverter, allowing for individual panel optimization.
2. Decentralized Control: Each panel operates independently, maximizing energy production even if one panel is shaded or malfunctioning.
3. Higher Initial Cost: Generally more expensive upfront due to the number of units required.
4. Efficiency: Better performance in partial shading scenarios and overall increased energy yield.
5. Monitoring: Provides detailed monitoring for each panel, allowing for easier detection of issues.

Summary

• String inverters are ideal for larger, unshaded installations where cost is a concern.
• Microinverters are better suited for complex or shaded environments, offering enhanced performance at a higher cost.

Your choice will depend on your specific needs, installation conditions, and budget.8-reasons why microinverters are superior

We begin by measuring your roof and marking where we want to place the panels. In this process we take into account any protrusions that may interrupt or shade your system. Once we have everything aligned the next step is to install the footings. This process will differ depending on the type of roof. On asphalt shingled we locate the roof truss or rafters and penetrate 3.5′ stainless lag bolts through a metal flashing  that goes under the shingle layer. The lag bolts are fastened directly through each truss centre. There are three layers of waterproofing in this method. We use buytle tape on the bottom of the flashings, waterproof washers and heavy duty waterproof GeoCell sealant. Standing seam metal roofs and torch on flatroof systems are more simple and do not require penetrations. Next step is to add the rails to the L-feet that have been installed. The rails will be responsible for holding the microinverters, ground wire and eventually the clamps that fasten the panels in place. Once the microinverters are in place we add truck and teach cable to make the system one continuous loop. Similar to in high school when you made that circuit to get the light going. Once the wiring is completed, we use zip ties to pull all of the wires tight and lift them off the roof. Now it is time for panelling. As we lay each panel we tighten end and mid clamps to hold them in place. Panel after panel we continue until the system is complete. At the en of the electrical circuit we tie the cables into a junction box which the electrician will later feed back directly into your mains. Finally, we cut the leftover rails to ensure that your system is astetically symmetrical and pleasing to the eye.