FAQ
1. How do I know if my roof is ideal for a solar PV system?
If your roof faces south and has minimal to no shading, then your roof is ideal for a solar PV system. Discover the power and payback potential of your rooftop, contact Rooftop Kilowatts to book a site assessment today.
2. How much will it cost to install a solar PV system?
The cost of a solar electric system can vary significantly depending on the amount of solar electricity the customer wishes to generate and the desired location for the system. Rooftop Kilowatts will provide you with a quote based on your specific project, and can offer information on financing.
3. Do I need extra insurance?
Insurance companies are typically treating rooftop solar systems on homes as a fixture. However, it is important to give your insurance broker a call to let them know it is there, and to tell them it was installed according to the building code and electrical authority approval.
4. Will I still receive an electricity bill?
Rooftop Kilowatts specializes in on-grid or grid-tied systems, whereby you sell solar power directly to the utility company for 20 years at a fixed rate that is currently much higher than what you pay for electricity. Battery back-up systems can be installed but the economics are prohibitive. To reduce your power bill, you could look at a larger system that rolls back your meter and also sells power direct to the grid. Ask Rooftop Kilowatts what system best suits your needs.
5. Are any permits needed before installation?
Depending on your location, you may need approval from your local municipality in the form of a building permit and an inspection by a qualified electrician or solar installer to ensure your system meets the Canadian electrical code. Rooftop Kilowatts will help customers obtain all required documentation and approval for solar PV projects.
6. Does Rooftop Kilowatts offer any guarantees on their solar products?
Yes, all come with manufacturers warranties. Rooftop Kilowatts also offers comprehensive service and maintenance packages to ensure PV systems operate at their peak power potential and a five year warranty on workmanship.
7. Is there enough sunlight in Ontario for a solar PV project to provide a good return on investment?
Yes, Southern Ontario receives more sunlight than other places where solar has become a significant contributor to the grid, such as Germany and Japan. According to Natural Resources Canada the yearly PV potential in Toronto is 1161 kWh/kW, whereas in Berlin it is 848 kWh/kW and Tokyo 885 kwh/kW for south-facing panels tilted to latitude. If all the PV systems in Germany were placed in southern Ontario, they would produce 25% more electricity given Ontario’s PV potential.
8. What happens when it snows?
Solar panels produce heat and much of the snow that falls will either slide off the glass surface or melt. Snow accumulation, however, is possible but is likely to occur in the darkest days of winter when power production is minimal at best.
9. Where are your services available?
Rooftop Kilowatts services the entire GTA and is rapidly expanding across southern Ontario.
10. Does any roof allow for solar panels, or must it be designed in a certain way?
A solar PV system can be installed on nearly any roof surface, including flat composite, composite shingle, tar and gravel, cement tile and metal roof top. If a rooftop is not suitable for a PV installation, Rooftop Kilowatts installs ground-mounted systems as well.
11. Do solar panels lose efficiency over time?
Like most technologies, solar panels do lose efficiency over time, and this varies with environmental factors and the brand of panels used. Many panels, even after 20 years of continuous use still provide over 80% of their original generating capacity. To minimize power loss, keep panels clean from leaves and dirt by periodically rinsing them off. Rooftop Kilowatts offers service and maintenance packages to ensure system quality over the life of the solar system.
12. Why is the optimal tilt angle different at various times of the year?
Panels receive the maximum amount of available solar radiation when mounted perpendicular to the direct radiation rays. In the summer, the sun is higher in the sky than in the winter. To maintain a perpendicular relationship, a panel must have a smaller tilt angle in the summer and a larger tilt angle in the winter.
13. What environmental concerns affect a PV installation?
Environments with warmer weather, humidity, and wet seasons may necessitate materials that will resist corrosion. Areas with heavy storms and flood potential require arrays to be placed higher up to avoid water damage, and may require additional support to protect against strong winds. Temperature ranges are important to consider due to the effect of hotter temperatures on the output of the PV system. Areas with natural breezing are better for cooling panels and increasing system output.
14. Why does shading, even on only small parts of a PV array, impact outputs so significantly?
PV arrays are sensitive to shading due to the electrical design of the PV modules. Depending on the magnitude and location of the shading, the reduction in output can be significantly high. Shading should be avoided as much as possible to increase the solar yield of a PV system.
15. How do inverters interact with the utility grid?
Utility-interactive systems make a two-directional interface with the utility at the distribution panel or electrical service entrance. Power can be imported from and exported to the utility grid. For exporting, the inverter must monitor the utility’s power to match the voltage, phase, and other parameters. If the inverter is bimodal, then it also senses a utility outage and switches to anti-islanding mode.
16. Why is it important to understand the test conditions (STC) used in a module performance evaluation?
Solar irradiance and module cell temperature have great effects on module performance, and many factors can affect the cell temperature, such as ambient temperature, wind speed, location, materials, and mounting configuration. Ideal test conditions, such as STC, can produce very different results than more realistic field conditions, which need to be considered when predicting system performance. Rooftop Kilowatts sizes a system and bases the SunCheque estimates on more realistic conditions in which a module array operates, taking into account all power loss factors impacting what eventually is sold to the grid.