Exciting year for solar: power up!

Online exclusive. MapleLine Magazine: Aug.11, 2009

by Mary P. Brooke

Solar panels on an urban house. Photo courtesy of heshomeenergy.com "It's an exciting year for solar installations," says Ed Knaggs of HES Home Energy Solutions in Victoria, BC. "This year we've seen 86 percent growth in installations," he said. The HES company that made news recently for guiding a 75 kW solar array installation at the T'Sou-ke Nation reserve in Sooke says that urban homeowners are catching the wave.

"The 86 percent increase is based on 171kW of Net Metered systems up to the end of 2008; so far this year installations are on target for an additional 147kW for a total of 318kW's installed in BC Hydro's Net metering program by the end of 2009", Knaggs explained. Grid-tie with backup system makes for happy energy-producing/conserving homeowners. Photo courtesy of HES Home Energy Solutions Copyright 2009

Ed Knaggs and Dave Egles install UHES Off-GridSystem on Gambier Island. Copyright HES 2009

In 2003 BC Hydro started allowing homeowners to sell back to the grid through a process called Net Metering. Net metering refers to electricity generated by solar panels on the roof of a home, where unused power goes back into the main BC Hydro grid system and the homeowner's hydro meter turns backward (creating a credit). On not-so-sunny days or if the solar array is not producing enough electricity, then the meter spins forward again and the credit is reduced. The homeowner pays only the difference, or 'net' result of the process.

People have been slowly applying since the program began, with increasing interest in the past six years. In 2009 there has been a "huge growth curve without support of the government", says Knaggs, who has a knack for explaining presumably complex technical scenarios in a way that is easy to understand. He feels that environmental awareness and people seeking independence from the utility grid (in case of power outages) are two strong factors that are pushing the interest of homeowners to set up their own solar electrical generating systems.

The setup cost can still be prohibitive. A small system might start at $15,000, while an average home (size and/or usage) might get set up for $25,000, and some installations cost up to $100,000. The new $1,350 federal government renovation rebate can be applied, and installations are pst exempt (until July 1/10 when the new HST tax likely comes into effect).

The average home installation is a 2.5 kW system, with some homeowners now going for 7 to 10 kW. Solar generating power is a real boost to the overall property value of a home. The installations can be done in an attractive manner, says Knaggs, who feels that aesthetics are an important part of the process and result.

Solar installations are best done by qualified electricians who have learned the ins and outs of solar array installations. MM

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Other Solar Stories:

First Solar scores large California deal - August 18, 2009. Large US company gets contract as part of California's goal to have 20% of its energy supplied by renewable resources by 2010. Read story.

Solar BC offers bulk buy discounts on solar hot water installations in new homes. Learn more.

See another article about solar installations on page 4 in the print edition of MapleLine Magazine (Fall 2009 issue / Aug.-Oct.2009), available starting August 5. Subscribe to MapleLine.