Net Metering Diagram
This is a diagram of a system without battery backup
What is Net Metering Program
Install Solar Net Metering to offset the power your home or building uses. If the power produced is more than the power consumed, the excess power goes out to the grid and becomes credit. This credit will be applied on your next billing.
The major benefit of installing solar panels under Net Metering program is, it is isolating you from 8.4% per year electricity price escalations. You can also add battery banks to power your critical load during power outage.
Both solar panels and installation of battery banks are eligible for financing through Canada Green Homes Loan program
The solar panels can be installed on your buildings rooftop or on ground, if available. If installing on ground, please check with your local municipality by-laws for any restrictions.
Installing solar panels is your first step towards full energy independence. Both reducing your electricity bill and minimizing your carbon tax and contribute to climate change.
Commercial Net Metering and residential net metering works the same in terms of production of power and receiving credit from excess of power produced.
Net Metering or Grid Tie Solar
How Net Metering works ...
Solar panels are used to produce the same amount of power your home or business uses. This power will offset your electric bill and reduce power purchase close to zero. By installing a car charger, this solar system can also be used to charge electric cars.
Your smart bi-directional meter, measures the amount of energy your home takes from the grid and also tracks the amount of energy your solar system puts into the grid
You earn an on-bill kwh credit for the excess energy exported to the grid. At the end of each month you are billed for any power you used from the grid (as normal). The access kwh that you stored in the grid will be recorded on the bill for later use. These stored kwh will be used automatically as your home/business needs them. Thus reducing the power you are charged for in the next month(s). The idea is, over the year you produce as much power (kWh) as you use and your bill is reduced to its minimum.
This type of system does not operate during power outage. If you wish to have backup power, consider the Hybrid solar system.
SOLAR NET METER FINANCIALS
The cost of installing solar panels has come down drastically in the last few years. Currently, the government is also providing financing at zero interest to eligible homeowners through Canada Greener Homes Loan Program. If you have completed an Energy Audit before or on February 5, 2024, you will also qualify for a grant of up to $5,000 or $1000 per kW installed whichever is less.
However, like any other projects to you want to undertake, you will want to consider assessing the factors that will affect your ROI.
Site Suitability
Solar panels will produce power without the use of any moving parts and is almost zero maintenance.
However, it must be installed on locations where it can receives direct sunlight to maximize its power production. The selected installation location must not have any obstructions such as big trees or another building.
The perfect location to maximize their production is south or southwest.
Yearly Power Usage
Before diving into installing a net meter system, determine your current and future power consumption. Also ask yourself, how much of your power consumption you want to offset. These two variables will determine the system size you want to install.
LDC or Electricity Wholesaler Rate
To determine the ROI of your solar investment, you have to use the current electricity rate you are paying now and the rate increase historically to predict the future rate. Since you do not receive cash from net meter power production, your profit or income is the money you save by putting a hedge between yourself and constant yearly increase on electricity rate.
HOW TO APPLY FOR NET METERING
Contact us at API so we can assist you on how you can participate on Net Metering program. We can assist you from proper sizing of the solar system you need based on your current power consumption, and the application to get a connection agreement with your LDC. Alternate Power International, offers full turn-key solutions. We will handle all applications to LDC, engineer stamped drawings and building permit fee, LDC connection application, ESA inspection and commissioning of your solar system, and setup of your free solar monitoring. We also provide free monitoring of your solar system in the first three months after its commissioning. Our technicians are highly qualified and has several years of experience of design, installation, trouble shooting and maintenance of any renewable systems.
Emergency Backup with Solar Recharge - Hybrid Inverter
Hybrid System Diagram
Hybrid system with Battery Backup
How Solar Hybrid Works...
The Solar system in this setup works like the backup systems for providing instant seamless power when the grid fails. The main difference is that the battery is charged by solar and when the battery has been fully charged, the solar power will be used to power the critical loads attached to the inverter during power outage. Thus providing power that would normally have been supplied by the grid. This is how you offset your power bill over time.
This means that the system will lower your electricity bills and eventually pay for itself!
In times of power outage, solar will continue to recharge the battery allowing the system to run for a longer time while power is down. This system can also charge in off peak time and discharge in peak time, off-setting your electricity costs. All of these systems can have a generator plugged into them and used to charge the battery.
Depending on the size of the battery bank, this system will provide the average house 3+ days of backup power to provide power to critical loads* only.
This type of system where there is no grid available can also be standalone or off grid system for a cottage.