Solar Panels

The solar panels have been on the guest cottage for almost a month now.  Up until June 7th, just shy of the first month, we have generated 804 kWh of electricity.   Unfortunately most of that was dumped back into the grid for free, because our bi-directional meter was not functional until a few days ago.

We do not have any batteries or any means of storing the power.  The electricity that is generated is used in our own building, and any surplus goes back into the grid.  We get a credit for whatever we put into the grid.  In the summer months when the days are long we will be ahead.  But in the winter when the days are short and the solar panels are mostly snow covered, we will use up that credit.

I found the whole process of putting the solar system into place very enlightening... in a rather negative way.  Our various levels of government seem to be jumping on the "Green" bandwagon and want to reduce the use of fossil fuel, and develop clean energy.  But they have a very warped way of going about it.  Perhaps if enough people find out how stupid the system really is, then maybe there will be some positive change.

My system includes 14 panels that are 545 watts each, for a total of 7.63 kW.  Rare is the day when the system functions at 100% capacity for more than short periods of time.  Our panels are split between east and west facing roof surfaces, and we have nearby trees that partially shade the panels at times.  The system cost about $16k, and it will take me many years to break even.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining about the cost.  But, if I had installed the panels on my primary residence in Edmonton, I would qualify for a $5000 government grant.  My primary residence in the city has a roof layout that will not accommodate very many panels, and we are surrounded by large spruce trees on neighbors properties, so we chose to install at the cottage, even though it was not grant eligible.  What difference does it make if I live beneath the panels that are generating the power for the majority of the time.  Are we trying to save the planet or not...??!!!

Also, I am not allowed to generate more power than I consume in a calendar year, and put it back into the grid.  I suppose the power companies do not want to actually have to pay the consumer for generating power.  But the power rates are regulated, and the utility companies are guaranteed a set profit.  So why should this matter...??!!!

Governments are playing this game of charades charging a carbon tax and paying some of it back in rebates.  But this system is dysfunctional and is not achieving nearly what it could.  Governments need to give their collective heads a shake and change the system.  If enough consumers make this known, perhaps there will be some real change.  But in the meantime we are just going through the motions of being "kinda green".

This is a screen shot of the solar power monitoring app that I have on my phone.  This was captured on June 7th, at 9:21PM.  Even at this late point in the evening, with the sun setting behind the trees, there is still a little power being generated.  The system was installed and set up on May 10th, so in a couple more days it will be a full month.  It is suggested that we have reduced carbon emissions by 591kg, but this is of course dependent upon how the power in the grid is generated.  In Alberta most of the power comes from Gas Fired power generation plants.  Though out here at Nordegg some of the local power supply comes from the dam on the North Saskatchewan River at Abraham Lake.  That power is of course already "Green".

As of twilight on June 9th, exactly one month after the solar panels became functional, we had generated 865kWh of electricity.  My last power bill indicated that we used 874kWh of electricity in both cottages combined in the month of April.  At that time of year we were still using some electric heat.  But, the guest cottage is not finished, so the only consumption there is a little bit for heat, plus some lights and tools.  Later, once everything is up and running and the guest cottage is occasionally occupied, the consumption will increase.