Please accept the meeting invite in the email to ensure you don’t get rescheduled.
To get the most out of your solar call, be in a quiet place with a pen and paper.
It is also important that all homeowners are present because unexpected questions do come up once we get going.
We want to make sure everyone is as informed as possible.
Before the call we will examine the roof of your property via satellite imagery. Doing so will help us to understand its maximum capacity for the number of solar panels your roof can support.
Additionally we will study your utility bill to see what the optimal solar panel installation would comprise, including number of solar panels and the type of system that will work best for you.
During the call we will be able to answer any further questions you have and also test any assumptions we have made in our assessment.
Our goal is to conclude the call with enough understanding to be able to recommend a system that will pay for itself as quickly as possible and give you energy freedom for many decades to come.
The time it takes to install your solar panels can be different for each company. At Stanton Solar, once your permits, applications, and financing are approved, we usually come to your house within a couple of weeks. The applications can take 4-6 weeks to process.
People often think about the panels and inverters but forget to ask how the panels are attached to the roof. We use special equipment called RT Minis to attach the panels. They come with a 25-year leak-proof warranty, so you don’t have to worry about leaks. You can even watch a video where they install one underwater. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtCDP5YBMQM They are rated for wind speeds of 180mph (289km/h).
Financial programs and incentives can change often, so it’s important to check for the latest information. Right now, in Canada, there’s a program that offers 0% financing for 10 years, up to $40,000. In Nova Scotia, you can get a rebate of up to $3,000, and in British Columbia, there’s a rebate of up to $10,000. In Nova Scotia, there are also PACE programs that let you pay for your solar project through your property taxes.
People install rodent guards and bird cages on solar panels for two reasons. First, to follow electrical rules that keep critters away from the wires. Second, to stop birds, especially pigeons, from nesting under the panels. There are two ways to attach the bird cages. One way is to wrap the fencing around the edges of the panels, but this can cause damage from ice and snow over time. The other way is to attach the fencing underneath the panels, which protects it from ice and snow and meets the electrical rules. However, pigeons might still try to nest at the ends of the panels.
No is the simple answer.
When simulating the production numbers for your system, historical weather patterns of snow, rain, overcast days, etc are taken into account.
While the panels are under performance warranty for 25-30 years, the panels can live 50+ years. They will continue to produce power, the manufacturers just don’t guarantee performance on the age after the warranty expires.
In most cases someone is out within a week or 2 to get it producing power again.
Any electrical system could be a fire hazard, but string inverters have safety features like alarms and quick shut-down systems to prevent fires. All solar parts must be approved by the Canadian Safety Association (CSA) to pass inspection. Nowadays, string inverters are very sensitive and might even give warnings when there isn’t really a problem. Fire safety is very important, and CSA takes it seriously.
Credits roll over month to month and if you are in surplus at the end of the year then it gets credited to your account in dollar form.
No. Nova Scotia Power tried to introduce tariffs over a year ago. It was rejected and the government quickly put legislation in place to legally protect systems under 27kW from any future changes.
https://nslegislature.ca/sites/default/files/legc/statutes/electricity.pdf
It depends on the issue. If it is workmanship issue, then you give us a call. If it’s a system alarm/issue, you call the manufacturer support. They can see your system remotely, can identify/fix most issues but if they need a technician on site, they’ll let you know to call us. You give us the ticket number and we go from there.
While it is true that there is an optimal positioning for a solar panel, it isn’t necessary for it to be perfect. You can see on this chart that east and west can be great, even north facing if it’s on a low enough angled slope. East west can actually help you catch the full day of sun as moves across the sky.When looking at solar proposals, it’s important to pay attention to assumptions. Different companies use different ideas, like how much your electricity bill will go up over time. If they assume a high increase, your savings might look better than they really are. Check what assumptions they are using.
Also, some companies show prices before taxes and rebates, while others show prices after rebates but before taxes. Make sure you know what they are showing.
The production numbers, like how much electricity your system will make, are usually accurate because most companies use the same software. If two reports show the same electricity production but different savings, it’s probably because of different assumptions about your future bills. No company can make a kilowatt-hour (kWh) worth more than another.
Net metering is like a special deal with the power company. When your panels make extra electricity, you send it to the power company, and they give you a “credit” like a gift card. Later, when the sun isn’t shining and you need more electricity than your panels can make, you can use those credits to “buy” electricity from the power company without paying extra.
So, it’s kind of like a trade—your extra sunshine power for some extra power from the grid when you need it. You help the power company, and they help you!
You can’t disconnect from the grid. It isn’t allowed. In all honesty, you likely wouldn’t want to anyway. The net metering program is awesome and allows you to enjoy the benefits of solar without expensive batteries, lifestyle changes and constant monitoring. Net Zero is when you are connected to the grid but you produce enough electricity with your solar system that you only pay base charges.
The production numbers from solar companies are usually very accurate because almost all companies use the same simulation software to predict how much electricity your system will make. For example, if two reports show that your system will produce 10,000 kWh per year, the numbers are likely correct. The reason the savings, return on investment (ROI), and other numbers might be different is because of different assumptions about how much your future bills will go up. No company can make a kilowatt-hour (kWh) worth more than another.
To make sure the numbers are correct, check the company’s reviews and profile on the Better Business Bureau. If they’ve been in business for more than 3 years and their systems weren’t producing what they promised, you would likely see bad reviews from unhappy customers.
When you need to redo the roof, the process is much easier than the initial installation. We come take the system off, your roofers do their thing and then we put the system back up when they are done.
The approximate cost of this depends on the difficulty of the roof. A one story bungalow is much cheaper than a 3 story castle with 45 degree slopes.
Stanton Solar is a family-owned business that started in 2018. They have a 5-star rating and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. They offer a 25-year leak-proof warranty on the roof anchors. They also help you with programs and support. Stanton Solar supports local sports and athletes and is a Gold Sponsor of the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
No, your solar system won’t work during a power outage because it could be dangerous for workers fixing the grid. However, you can get a hybrid inverter with batteries, and that would give you power during an outage.
Most homes are set up to accommodate a system large enough to cover 100% of your bill. However if you have a higher than average power consumption, you may need to upgrade your electrical upgrade. If your annual consumption is higher than 16,000kWh’s per year, you may need a panel swap, a service upgrade or a duel lug meter base to allow for a larger than average sized system.
Choosing between micro inverters and string inverters depends on the best design for your solar system. Electronics and heat don’t mix well, so it’s better to have as few electronics on the roof as possible. If your roof has no shading issues, a string system is best because it has fewer parts and is easier to maintain.
A string system works like a single-lane highway, where the slowest car sets the speed for everyone. If one panel gets less sunlight, it slows down the others. If you have shading, adding optimizers is like adding a passing lane so the other panels can keep working well.
Optimizers are simple electronics, but they have limits. If your roof has many small panels facing different directions, micro inverters are better. Micro inverters are more complex and sensitive but handle different panel setups better, even though they can get very hot on the roof.
When choosing a solar company, it’s important to pay attention to a few key things. First, check the company’s ratings, reviews, and whether they are accredited with the Better Business Bureau, as these can give you an idea of their reputation. Also, make sure to ask how the solar panels will be attached to your roof, including the techniques and anchors used, and whether there is a warranty for this. Lastly, be cautious of offers that seem too good to be true or are very different from what other companies provide, especially when it comes to warranties or financing options.
