Solar Panels FAQ
Q. How much power am I able to get from a Solar system?
A. The amount of power you can get from a solar system depends on the size and number of solar panels you install. In Canada, you will typically get three times more power in the summer than in the winter.
Q. How many solar panels will I need?
A. To determine how many solar panels you need and the size of the inverter you will need to convert DC power from your batteries to AC power for your home, you will need to put together an Energy Budget.
To put together an energy budget you will need to have a list of all of your household appliances, the amount of power that each one consumes, and the number of hours in a week that you expect to use them. For sizing the inverter, it is helpful to know which appliances you would want to have running all at the same time in the worse case scenario. This information will help us to determine which components will meet you needs.
Q. How can I get the most power out of my solar panels?
A. Solar panels should be mounted on an angle equal to your latitude and facing true south (north if you live below the equator).
This angle can be further adjusted for seasonal performance. In the winter you can tilt the panels forward by 15°. In the summer you can tilt the panels back by 15°.
Shading is the real problem with solar panels. You want your panels located in a place that will receive no shading for the entire day over the entire year, ideally. If you cannot find a place without shading, there is a type of solar panel called an Amorphous panel. These panels are slightly more expensive and slightly less efficient, but handle shading much better. Even so, it is still best to avoid shading as much as possible.
Q. What kind of appliances can I operate on an Alternative Energy system?
A. Since most of our systems use batteries as the main power source; the batteries limit the amount of electricity you can consume. It is not practical to run loads that consume more than 1000W of power on a continuous basis. For example: water heater, stove, baseboard heater, clothes dryer (or any large resistive heat sources), air conditioner, older model fridges and deep freezes, etc. The system will often run these loads fine, but the loads will drain the batteries faster than they can be recharged. A microwave will typically use more than 1000W, but will only run for a few minutes a day and will work fine. Likewise, newer Energuide rated, high efficiency refrigerators will work fine on these systems. Generally, we recommend going with propane, natural gas, or biomass to provide heating sources. For large loads with occasional use, a generator will usually work well to augment the system. With solar systems, we usually recommend going with a backup generator for the wintertime when there is less sun available.