Retrofits for a greener home
Electrical: Solar systems
Save with free energy from the sun
Harness the sun's energy for state of the art energy savings
Solar PV panels
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems convert energy from the sun into electricity. Solar PV panels have few operating costs and can be installed on any kind of home or building, providing a safe and reliable source of electricity that produces no on-site pollution or emissions. And the fuel – sunshine – is free!
When the system produces more renewable electricity than you can use, Hydro companies will take the surplus and issue a credit on your bill. The credit will help to offset the cost of purchasing electricity when your system doesn't produce enough to meet your needs.
What to look for
- Work with a qualified system designer to select the appropriate technology and system size for your home. The Canadian Solar Industries Association provides guidance on selecting qualified solar energy service providers.
- Make sure your home is as energy-efficient as possible before you add solar. To determine the right size system for your home, review your energy bills for the past 12 months to see how much energy you use.
- Hire a solar contractor and install and connect your system to the utility.
Things to consider
- Consider adding energy storage (batteries) to store electricity generated by your system for future use.
- Before you install, make sure your roof is in good condition. It should be less than five years old.
- The orientation of your roof matters – the priority should be south-facing roofs, followed by west and then east.
- Trees and buildings that shade your roof can lead to a less powerful system.
Solar water heaters
Water heating accounts for approximately 20 per cent of your home's energy bill. Solar hot water heaters, also known as, solar domestic hot water (SDHW) systems, use the sun's energy to generate hot water, which lowers your energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions.
Several solar hot water systems are available, but for year-round water heating in Canadian climates, it is important to pick a system that can be protected from freezing. Only freeze-protected systems will generate hot water when the temperature dips well below zero.
While solar water heaters have longer life expectancy than other models, they are generally designed for use with a back-up water heater, either electric or gas. A tankless (on-demand) model may be used as the back-up.
What to look for
- An ENERGY STAR® certified solar water heater will use 60 per cent less energy, on average, than a standard model.
- Choose a freeze-protected system for year-round use.
- Make sure you purchase a tank-size appropriate for the number of people in your house.
Things to consider
- Hire a qualified solar thermal systems contractor to install your system, as they will need experience in electrical, plumbing and carpentry. Solar hot water heaters must be installed to CSA standards.
- Solar water heating systems almost always require a backup system for cloudy days and times of increased demand.
- If you have a heated swimming pool, solar systems can drastically reduce your utility bills and save you even more.
Average cost
$6,000 – $10,000 with installation.
Source: Natural Resources Canada
If you have installed solar panels or are planning to, you may also be interested in an energy storage system.
Financial help available for solar systems
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