What is net metering?

How does snow affect my panels?

To date, many studies have been done from industry and academics in regard to the impact that snow has on solar production. The consensus is that solar production, on average, only has around a 2% impact from snow falls in the southern most populated regions of Canada. Usually, snow cover will melt and slide off once the sun hits the panels.

An offsetting benefit of winter is that the solar panels/modules are actually more efficient in colder weather.

How does snow affect my panels?

To date, many studies have been done from industry and academics in regard to the impact that snow has on solar production. The consensus is that solar production, on average, only has around a 2% impact from snow falls in the southern most populated regions of Canada. Usually, snow cover will melt and slide off once the sun hits the panels.

An offsetting benefit of winter is that the solar panels/modules are actually more efficient in colder weather.

Do I still get power during an outage?

During a power outage, if a storage/battery system is not in place, then will not receive any power. This is due to the fact that everyone is tied to the grid which is where the energy you produce is held and stored. Your system is shut down automatically so that line workers can safely repair do repairs. When utility power is restored, your solar system will automatically restart.

What are the environmental benefits of solar energy?

Solar power, like other renewable energy resources, has many environmental and health benefits. Going solar reduces greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change, and also results in fewer air pollutants.

What is net metering?

Net metering is the system that utilities use to credit solar energy system owners for the electricity produced by their solar panels. With net metering, you only pay for the electricity that you use beyond what your solar panels can generate. Net metering policies differ by jurisdiction (province and state).

How does solar impact my property value?

Studies have shown that homes with solar energy systems sell for more than homes without them. An estimated percentage increase is between 5 to 7%. In most parts of the country, going solar will actually increase your property value more than a kitchen renovation.

How do solar photovoltaic (PV) panels work?

Solar panels absorb the sun’s energy throughout the day and convert it into direct current (DC) electricity. Most homes and businesses run on alternating current (AC) electricity, so the DC electricity is then passed through an inverter to usable AC electricity. At that point, you either use the electricity in your house or send it back to the electric grid.

Do my solar panels produce power when the sun isn’t shining?

The amount of power your solar energy system can generate is dependent on sunlight. As a result, your solar panels will produce slightly less energy when the weather is cloudy, and no energy at night. However, because of high electricity costs and financial incentives, solar is a smart decision even if you live in a cloudy city.