FAQ

What is solar energy?

Solar energy is simply energy from the sun! The secret ingredients to solar energy are photovoltaic, or PV cells, which are present within the sun- attracting device, i.e. solar panels. When electrons within PV cells are activated by sun rays, electricity is produced!

Why should I use solar energy?

Solar energy is a friend to you, your home, and your wallet! It is a renewable energy source which means that as long as the sun shines, you will have electricity! Solar energy will also save you money as you begin to see your electricity bill drastically decrease over time.

Does my home work for solar energy?

An ideal solar candidate:

• Roof faces south or close to south (If your house is east or west facing this is still good just not great)
• Has great solar access all year round. Very little to no shading from neighbouring buildings or trees.
• Solar Panels are able to be tilted up to an angle equal to your homes latitude.
• Other factors will include, distance to powerline connection point or meter location, access for installation and maintenance, dust levels in the location, size of electrical service, roof structure loading and local regulations.

A full onsite assessment is completed with every solar assessment. If your solar site is not 100% ideal it can still be a worthwhile investment.

What is involved in your solar estimate?

A critical part of every solar installation is the planning process. We prepare a site specific quote that factors in the size of your electrical panel, the orientation of your roof, the slope of your roof, if there is any trees or buildings near by that cause shading issues, as well as assess the wire runs and connection point to the SaskPower Grid. We also check the condition of your roofing material as well as the roof structure to ensure the solar array is adequately supported.

Does solar energy work well in Saskatchewan?

Yes! Saskatchewan is the sunniest province in the country making it an ideal place for potential solar energy production. Saskatchewan also has some of the highest electricity rates in Canada which is another great reason to generate your own power via solar panels.

What about when it snows?

Snow can be a bit of a drag, especially when you’re the one shovelling it off the driveway. Fortunately for you, solar panels are designed and installed in such a way that very minimal snow will ever stay on your panels. Solar energy will also still produce through the snow, just like your panels will still produce on a cloudy day. It is never a good idea to try and clear the snow off your panels as you risk scratching the surface of the solar panel and you could seriously hurt yourself in the process!

What if I need to replace my roof?

No problem! Panels can be uninstalled and moved as needed, but if you know that you will need a new roof in a few years, we recommend doing it before, or during the installation of your panels, to save the hassle.

Do I need to clean my solar panels?

Yes, but not as often as you would your hair or a car. Only when the dirt or buildup becomes a hinderance on the sunlight intake. A little birdpoop or dust never hurt anyone, and the rain usually helps you out with that as well.

What is SaskPower’s Net Metering Program?

Sask Powers net metering program provides an opportunity for residential, farm and business customers to connect to their grid system and generate up to 100kW of their own power through environmentally preferred technologies like solar power.

What are the benefits of the Net Metering Program?

SaskPower will pay you $0.61 per watt of solar power installed which is approximately 20% of eligible solar equipment and installation costs to a maximum of $20,000.

Unused power is banked as a credit in your SaskPower account to be applied each month to the power used for up to a full year. The rate you are credited for this power is the same as the rate that you purchase power from SaskPower.

How long will Solar Panels last?

Our solar panels are warrantied for 25-30 years but you can expect them to last much much longer then that!  Anywhere from 30 to 40 years usually, depending on weather and maintenance.

Not seeing your FAQ here? Send us an email, or give us a call. We’d love to hear from you!