FAQ
Here are some common questions and answers. Please get in touch if you have other questions which are not covered here.
Replacing your shingles right before a solar install is a fantastic time to do it because the shingles will last many years longer with panels protecting them. That said, if your shingles are in good condition, you will not need to replace them, as the panels will keep them protected and in good condition for many years.
Yes. We can arrange financing, however, we recommend you first attempt to arrange financing from your preferred financial institution - your mortgage provider, typically - as they will already have a credit profile for you, and you will likely get the best possible interest rate.
Yes. The panels and solar optimizers come with a 25-year warranty, while the inverter has a 12 year, extendible warranty.
Yes an older home can support solar. Before installing we perform a structural assessment and determine if any work is needed.
We call Guelph home but do service in the surrounding region including Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Burlington, Oakville, Puslinch, Milton, and rural areas. We do also service outside of the Guelph region including Toronto, Owen Sound, Meaford and southern Ontario.
Typical payback for a net metered solar system is 12 -16 years. Variables include if you tend to consume more energy during the day when electricity costs are higher, as well as roof orientation and shading.
Many reviews are showing that the value of a property with solar is increased. In the United States, the value of the home is increased by $4 per watt of installed solar power (New York Times, Feb, 2016). More research is needed in Canada, but the trend is here too!
Maximum production occurs when the sun is highest. On a daily basis, production starts at sunrise, reaches its peak around noon, then declines until it reaches zero at sunset. During the year the sun provides the most energy around the summer solstice (June 20) and the least around the winter solstice (December 20). Weather, snow, shading and other factors will impact production. After we conduct an assessment of your roof, we will show you our predicted month by month energy production for your system.
In the event of a power outage without a battery the inverter will shut down due to anti-islanding regulations needed to protect line workers. Furthermore, in order to output power this grid-tied inverter needs to see 240 volts - which is typically in the form of the grid. However, the good news is if you have a battery such as the Tesla Powerwall, then the inverter will be able to talk with it instead of the grid and you will be able to power your home in the event of an outage. Please contact us in regards to adding batteries or a zero export meter to your system!
There are a few factors that determine how great a roof will be for solar, whether you are interested in NetMetering, pool or a battery system. Roof surfaces which face south do best, but we often install on other surfaces as well, and the systems do very well. We use a solar Pathfinder to examine how much shade falls on your roof in different areas throughout the year. We then use this information to determine how much electricity your array will produce each year. Get in touch with us and we can do a free assessment of your roof online.
Yes, we carry liability insurance and have WSIB coverage. We also adhere to the latest Ministry of Labour Working at Heights guidelines. All of our installation staff have Working at Heights training. Certificates available upon request.
Squirrels can cause damage by gnawing on wires. Pigeons or other birds can make a mess by building nests among the wires. Guelph Solar can help protect your solar panels. We also repair damage that has already been done.
15% of your annual revenue for a solar MicroFIT system is made from January to March, it could be more than $700 per year if there was no snow on your panels at all. A portion of your snow clearing cost can be written off as a business expense under your solar contract. For net metering systems, clearing snow will help you save money by reducing your electricity bills.
$500 (base cost) for the season: This would include a clearing of your driveway every time there is a snow event with at least 6 cm. This also includes having your panels cleared after a snow fall when several days of sun is predicted (about twice a season).
$40 (base cost) per driveway clearing.
$75 (base cost) per solar panel clearing.
Please see this blog for more information!
We encourage our customers to consider heating their pools with air-source heat pumps and to use their roofs to power their heat pumps and homes all year round. Using your roof to heat your pool for just a few months a year would be a missed opportunity when we have high-quality solar electric solutions with great business cases. Solar electric power for your home can heat your pool, power your lights and refrigerator, and charge your car.