By now, everyone knows what a solar system is, and probably know someone with a solar. It can be mounted on the roof of most houses and on a dedicated sctructure on the ground. The premise is simple, the sun shines and the PV panels transform the light energy into electricity, and we use that electricity with our appliances, heaters, air conditioning etc. So what is Net-Metering?
It is a billing structure that helps homeowners make the most of the solar energy they produce. As a solar contractor in Northern Ontario, we are very grateful to be able to offer this to our customers, as it is a great opportunity for them.
Snow and short winter days are factors that make it difficult for a solar system installed in Thunder Bay to keep producing electricity during the winter months when we typically use More electricity. Lights are on for longer periods of time and sometimes heating with electricity. That is bad news for those who invest in these systems and want to squeeze all the value they can from it.
Here is where net-metering systems shines. Once you have signed up and installed solar on your home, the electrical company will come and replace your electrical meter for one that can count forwards and backwards! It not only measures the energy you consume but also the energy leaving your house to power your neighbors' houses when the sun shines bright on a summer day.
Here is an example, a solar system will produce most of it's yearly energy yields during 7 months, from April to October. During those months, your home might only consume half of that energy. The other half of the electricity went through that fancy new meter and powered your neighborhood. That's a good thing! The meter is keeping track of this and your electricity bill will show it as a credit on your account. During spring and summer, you accumulate credits and hold on to them for later. During the winter months, when your solar is not enough to power everything in your house, you start using the banked credits on your account towards the electricity you are consuming. A well designed system can acheive a 100% electricity offset for the whole year. Now you know how you can benefit
This is why when you contact use for an estimate on a solar system, it is very important to review a year's worth of electricity consumption for your house specifically. This allows us to tailor the solar system to your needs. We also take into consideration plans to update your heating system, such as installing a heat-pump, which will change your consumption significantly.
When you install solar with Shift Power, you get a custom, high quality installation so you and your family to benefit the most from solar now, and for decades to come.
In another post, I will describe how battery energy storage systems(BESS) may be used to make the most of your solar installation.
Be a good neighbor, install solar! Give us a call, or click the link for your free estimate.
