40 Solar Panels + 1 Volt
(Article dedicated to my friend François Boucher. Your patience and your advice helped me achieve this project. THANK YOU !)
Since May 5th, 2014, my house became an electricity distribution company. With the installation of 40 solar panels, I am selling electricity to Hydro Ottawa. My Red Volt consumes 4 000 kWh of electricity a year, my solar panels will produce close to 14 000 kWh.
I purchased 40 Canadian Solar 250W PV modules (CS6P-250P), 40 Enphase M250 micro-inverters. I also purchased the Envoy Communications Gateway. This lets me see the production of every single solar panel. You can visit MyEnlighten.
Red Volt’s dream is now reality !
I sell all the electricity produced to Hydro Ottawa for 39.6 ¢/kWh. This is the price fixed by Ontario Power Authority within its microFIT Program.
The microFIT Program was launched in 2009 as part of the Ontario government’s efforts to increase renewable energy in the province. The program provides homeowners and other eligible participants with the opportunity to develop a small or “micro” renewable electricity generation project (10 kilowatts (kW) or less in size) on their property.
For more details : Ontario Power Authority’s microFIT Program and Hydro Ottawa’s summary of steps to follow.
Rooftop solar system is delivered !
Red Volt smiles as the solar panels make their way in the garage.
40 solar panels delivered in good condition !
Micro-onduleur Enphase M250
Aliminum H beams delivered with the Volt
Metal band saw in action.
My brother Mario, rooftop foreman.
My brother Yves, drills holes in aluminum beam.
Almost ready to start the rooftop work !
Mario admiring the 40th solar panel.
Aluminum leg (height : 8” x length : 6”)
2nd row completed.
Not one single wire touches the rooftop.
Claude and Mario at work !
33 solar panels installed.
7 solar panels installed on the garage’s roof, for a total of 40 solar panels, 10kW !
Final cleanup, after 3 days !
Link between the 33 panels on the house and the 7 panels on the garage. The copper wire (ground) has not been cut for the complete installation.
One of the four electrical boxes used for connecting the micro-inverters to the electrical box. There are 3 circuits of 11 panels and one circuit of 7 panels.
Electric panel, disconnect and two meters.
On the left, the Generation meter, calculates the amount of kWh sold to Hydro Ottawa. In the middle, the Service meter.
Lamicoid, fixed near the meters, describing the complete microFIT installation.
Account summary for May and June : 2795,9 watts.
Account summary for July : 1383 watts. 613,21 $ !
1st payment : 1 240,12 $ !!!!!
2nd payment : 612.21 $ for July 2014 !
Congratulations!
Solar is a great investment. And there’s no feeling like driving on sunshine!
Keep an eye open for squirrels. We waged an ongoing battle for a few years until I finally gave up and installed chicken wire mesh around my panels to completely block their access. Seems they like the cover provided by the panels and the taste of wire insulation!
Great tip, I had not heard/thought of this yet either. BD
Thanks !
I will certainly keep an eye, never heard anything about squirrels. Thank you for the tip !
Thank you for sharing the article.
I live in USA.
What was the project cost for this?
When will you begin to realize return on investment?
thank you for your reply.
Hi pmccain,
Total cost 27K $CAN. The yearly income will be between 4500$ and 5000$. ROI in less than 6 years. 20 year contract !
Wow – excellent story. Well documented, thorough, and solid.
Very informative, actually sent this link to my nephew who is a Millwright and cares about OTG living and my former mayor who was partner in a solar firm and advised one of my Real Estate clients on a solar issue recently, thanks for putting this up!
Hi, is this income taxable. If you are collecting 5000 a year from the hydro company, are you then having to pay 2000 back to the government ?
Hi Jeff,
Yes, but as a business, there are deductions also.
Hi Eric ,
i would like to talk to you , please can you call me at 1-819-279-6406
thanks Francois