Our customers frequently ask us many questions regarding renewable energies. These questions range from “What is solar?” to “Can we eliminate our Hydro bill if we put in a system?” We have many answers to these questions, and hopefully this FAQ from Grün-Sol Technologies Ltd. will assist you in making a more informed decision about the type of system you require.
Renewable energies have gained momentum in Canada over the past few years, mainly because of the rising cost of electricity, and the public’s increasing concerns over the environment we live in. Our company has noticed though, that more and more customers are seeing renewable energies as a safeguard to our collapsing electrical system, and the increasing environmental and fiscal problems with our Hydro companies.
Can renewable energy systems solve the world’s energy problems? Well, they certainly can’t hurt. Think about this for a minute. These technologies do not pollute, do not rely on transmission lines to move power hundreds of miles, it’s not affected by ice or snow storms, and nobody is in control of your power, except yourself. You have total control over your electricity. Inflation, interest rates, corporate debt load, political intervention, none of these outside influencing forces will have any affect on the electricity coming in to your home or business.
Can you imagine if you will, what would have happened in Ontario and Quebec during the summer power outage of 2003? If that had happened in the middle of January at -27C, the scenario would have been much deadlier and massive. Remember the ice storm that affected Ontario and Quebec plus the North Eastern US? The only saving grace during that time was the temperature stayed above zero degrees, and the cold temperatures never had a chance to do more severe damage.
Hopefully were not sounding too alarmist here. Grün-Sol Technologies Ltd. customers, who look only at the “payback” of their system in dollars and cents, are really missing the overall benefits of a renewable energy system. Do we advise a regular Hydro customer getting off the grid and going with solar? NO! That would simply be a bad investment, and we would probably try and talk you out of this plan. What we can advise you to do is be realistic with your goals and understand what renewable energies can or cannot do for you.
This info sheet is a “most popular list” of the most frequently asked questions from our customers and others seeking info.
We’re confident that what you will read here will assist you in making an informed buying decision on your quest for clean, efficient, renewable power.
Q: What exactly is a Solar system?
A: A solar system is quite simply, the power of the sun being turned into electricity, or heat. There are two types of Solar systems; Solar Thermal, and Photovoltaic. Solar Thermal systems use the power of the sun to heat water and air, and Photovoltaic converts the power of the sun into usable electricity.
Q: Do I have to make lifestyle adjustments to live with Solar?
A: When living with power that you are responsible for making, you must realize that you don’t have an unlimited supply like you would when using regular Hydro. Living off-grid becomes a lifestyle choice and a way of life. Lights must be turned off when exiting a room, don’t leave the TV on when it’s not being watched, etc. Every time you use power you have to replace it.
Q: If I build a home “off-grid” do we have to build it differently?
A: NO! Any home will accept a solar system provided it receives enough sunlight. There are some design functions pertaining to wiring; however this is a function of proper design. A consultation with Grün-Sol Technologies Ltd. and a qualified and licensed Electrician should be taken before taking on a project of this nature.
Q: Can we combine Solar electricity with regular Hydro electricity?
A: Yes you can! In fact many customers retain their regular electricity to power high consumption appliances such as electric stoves and water heaters. Everything else in the home uses the power produced by your renewable energy system. Having a dual system provides you with the security of having your own power, even when the hydro grid is not functioning.
Q: I’ve been told of people who run their entire home off Solar and only invested 10 – 15 thousand dollars to do it. Is this really true?
A: Yes, here at Grün-Sol Technologies Ltd. we know of these people as well. They live with 4-6 lights, have virtually no backup reserves or plan, and can’t turn on the T.V. and water pump at the same time. Do your homework first. When we consult and design a system with you we show you on paper as to how we arrived at your systems size and cost, and prove to you why it’s needed. Don’t just take the advice of someone. Tell them to prove to you why you need to buy the equipment they suggest, and give you the results on paper. Grün-Sol Technologies Ltd. uses RETscreen® Software from Natural Resources Canada as one of the tools to design your system, giving you a detailed and accurate report you can use for your records. This is completed and presented to you before you make your final buying decision.
Q: So how much do I need to spend?
A: This can only be determined by a consult between you the client, and Grün-Sol Technologies Ltd. Every client has different needs and requirements; therefore each is different than the other. Determining your current power consumption is the first crucial step we take in designing a system. We can say with confidence that to build a reliable off-grid system (residential) (1200 sq.ft) you would be looking at approx. $35- $40,000.00. A cottage or summer home totally off-grid would be in the vicinity of $8000.00 - $12,000.00.
Q: How many solar panels will I need?
A: The number of panels you will require is determined by the amount of power you use. Remember, the panels only function is to re-charge the batteries, the greater power production from your panels the faster the batteries re-charge. An analysis of your power consumption and needs to be done as the first step; this will ensure that the proper number of panels is built into your system to meet your needs.
Q: How do I know how much power I require?
A: At Grün-Sol Technologies Ltd., we determine your exact power requirements and where the critical loads are. A monthly Hydro bill will tell us the number of kilowatt hours used each month, however this also takes into account your water heater, electric stove, and any electric heating you are using. Since these items are not suitable or efficient to be powered by your renewable energy system, we need to eliminate them from the equation. This is why a consult is so valuable and a must. A system cannot be designed effectively without an energy management consultation with Grün-Sol Technologies Ltd. being done first. -There are no exceptions.-
Q: Can Grün-Sol Technologies Ltd. price my system in 10 Minutes?
A: We have customers call us quite often, and they want to know how much a system will cost. That’s like walking into an Architects office and saying “build me a house on paper, and tell me how much I’ll have to spend.” A Renewable Energy system is designed for the particular home or business and the people that are going to be living in the space. Every system is different.
We will spend considerable time designing and costing out a system to match our customer’s needs. Sometimes a site visit is required, and other times we can do it without seeing the property. Living completely off the grid is much different than having a combination of solar and hydro electricity. Please, unless you are very serious about having a system, don’t ask us to spend anywhere from 5 to 8 hours of our day just because you were curious as to how much a system would cost.
Grün-Sol Technologies Ltd. charges a base rate consulting fee for a Solar Site Analysis, residential-sized system requirements and worksheet analysis. This fee could increase depending on the size of the project, and the amount of time necessary to gather the correct amount of information to accurately design a system for you. This fee is a part of the complete costing for each project moving forward to installation. The info we gather and compile during the consult phase is critical to professional design and client satisfaction, and therefore it is a non-negotiable fee. The general rule of thumb is that an average house or small business to be completely self sufficient, must be prepared to invest on average approx. $40,000.00 CDN to be totally off-grid. This number can be much higher for some residences and businesses or on the other end of the scale much lower for a cottage or marine craft that gets used only in the summer. RV users take special note of the advantages of an independent power source that you own!
There are other products available to you that don’t require such a large investment using Solar, Thermal, or Wind Energy and can be incorporated into a client’s home or business. These products can substantially reduce current costs for energy. Some examples are Tankless Water Heaters, Solar Water Heaters, Solar Pool Heaters, Solar Air heating Systems, Ground Source Heat Pumps, Wind Turbines, and Grey-Water Recycling systems as well as other products related to energy efficiency, conservation, or renewable energy. We can offer you these products at very affordable pricing as well as significantly reducing current energy demands for you, and they are all great options to consider compared to living completely off-grid and self-sustained. Speak to us about these options as well – you could be very surprised at what you’ll hear.
Q: Will I still require a generator if I live off grid?
A: Most times, yes. Having a generator provides you with back-up power that will probably be used during those long sunless days of Canadian winters. Having a generator as part of your system can also reduce your overall investment. Renewable energies have many different advantages; however they still cannot produce power as fast as a generator. Therefore many off-grid homes and businesses utilize a combination of both technologies to help reduce their overall investment, and provide an increased dependability from the system in general.
Q: How do I get the power from the batteries to my appliances?
A: The power in the batteries must be transferred through an inverter. An inverter turns the DC power in the batteries into AC power needed for your appliances.
Q: Why do I need an inverter if I just want to run lights?
A: You don’t need an inverter if you just want to run lights that operate off 12 volts. In fact, there are some small appliances such as lights, TV’s, freezers, refrigerators and water pumps that all operate off 12 volts. However if you plan to operate any appliances that require AC power, you will need an inverter.
Q: How big does my inverter have to be?
A: Your inverter must be powerful enough to run the largest appliances you will have. For instance, if you plan on using a microwave which uses about 800-900 watts when it’s running, you will need an inverter that can put out 1000 watts. If you want to run the microwave and a computer at the same time, you would add 1000 watts for the microwave and 200 watts for the computer. Now you need an inverter that can process 1200 watts of power, and don’t forget peak power loads and spikes. These all must be calculated into the final total as well to properly and safely design the system to CSA approved code. This is critical for your safety, as well as insurance purposes.
Q: Can I run my well pump with an inverter?
A: Yes, but there are many factors that go into sizing a water pump to an inverter. Too much information to discuss here. Please talk to us about this application.
Q: I’ve been told that inverters and solar systems cause lines to show on a TV screen!
A: Lines that show up on your TV screen are caused by using an inverter that does not make real clean electricity. What this means is that the electricity coming out of the inverter has, for lack of a more technical explanation, some static in it. This causes the electronics of your TV not to operate efficiently. Grün-Sol Technologies can provide a type of inverter called a sine-wave inverter which eliminates this problem. This type of inverter creates very clean electricity and will not put lines on your TV. The downside is that sine-wave converters cost more than a non sine-wave converter.
Q: Can I purchase an inverter that will re-charge my batteries?
A: Yes you can. We highly recommend this if you have a generator. This allows you to re-charge your batteries if you see no sun for a couple of days.
Q: Can I run an electric stove with a solar system?
A: You can, but at a greater cost! An electric stove uses large amounts of power, and is not suitable to power with a renewable energy system.
Q: Can I run an electric dryer, water heater, or electric baseboard heaters?
A: Again, sure you can if money is no object! These items are the same as the above application. They simply use too much power to make your investment cost effective, and we would discourage you from using a solar system for these applications.
Q: Can I use a microwave or a coffee-maker?
A: Yes, you can use a microwave if only used for re-heating. Using it to cook will consume large amounts of energy. A coffee maker also uses large amounts of electricity. Both of these items could be used with a renewable energy system; however the system will need extra power to run them.
Q: Why can’t I just add more solar panels to make more power?
A: Well you can do just that. But you would also have to add extra batteries. The cost of doing this would be expensive. Grün-Sol Technologies would be very happy to provide you with this equipment, but we would also be responsible enough to let you know up front that it would not be a cost effective move for you.
Q: I guess air conditioning is out of the question?
A: Right again! However, it’s nothing that a large amount of money can’t solve! Seriously though, Grün-Sol Technologies does not recommend powering this type of appliance with renewable energy sources; however we would be up front with our assessment and provide you with some alternative solutions first, but the customer is always right and we would provide any product you feel is necessary. There are also Solar Ventilation systems available that are as effect as any air-conditioning system would be! Ask us about this technology.
Q: Can we use a computer?
A: Yes. Conservation is still important though. Therefore when not in use, the computer and its accessories should be completely shut down. That goes for a TV, DVD player, small lights, etc. These are things called ghost loads. What this means is that even if an appliance is shut off, it’s still using power. The clock in the DVD player and microwave are good examples of this. The power consumed by these appliances is small, but when you add them up from everywhere in the home, you will see that they are wasting power. Remember, any power you use, must be re-generated by your system. If you had a leaking gas tank on your vehicle you would fix it right? The same thing goes for a renewable energy system. The way you live in your home or business will become a way of life that has energy conservation included in your daily routine. It doesn’t have to be intrusive or difficult – just more focus on energy consumption during your day. Grün-Sol Technologies believes (with respect) this extra focus should be applied by everyone that uses energy or natural resources.
Q: Why do we need batteries with a photovoltaic system?
A: When the solar panels make electricity, they make DC electricity. DC electricity must be stored in batteries before it can be turned into AC electricity to be used by your appliances. The batteries also store the power for you so that on days with no sun you will still have power. Think of the batteries as a bucket of water. You keep the bucket full, so you can take as much water as needed.
Q: How many batteries will we need for our system?
A: The number of batteries in a solar system is determined by how much power you need. Remember the above example with a bucket of water? If you need to pour 10 gallons of water on your garden everyday, you would need a bucket of water that holds 10 gallons of water. The same goes for batteries. If we determine during the consult phase of your project that you need 100 amps of power a day, we know how big your batteries have to be to provide power to your system during the evenings and cloudy days without sun.
Q: I thought that batteries were dangerous and required special attention?
A: Grün-Sol Technologies designs systems properly using CSA, Electrical and Environmental codes. We use the most up-to-date and professional information currently available today to design your system. Our systems pose no risk to you, the system itself, or your property. This is why it is recommended that a system is designed by professionals with experience in DC and AC power systems. Our installers are all licensed and qualified electrical contractors. Their knowledge of batteries, electrical systems and energy usage is crucial and mandatory for a successful project.
Q: How many years will my batteries last?
A: The batteries in your system can last as long as 5, 10 or 20 years. The difference of course is price. We recommend investing in a quality battery bank. The batteries are the “heart” of your system. It’s best to have a good, solid, and dependable battery bank, so that you can enjoy years of trouble free service.
Q: How much room do we need for our battery bank?
A: Each system is different depending on the number and size of your batteries. Grün-Sol Technologies recommends leaving a space that is 2 feet by 4 feet. This will ensure enough space for the average battery bank. Again, every system is different so this size will vary.
Q: Are the batteries going to require a lot of maintenance?
A: If a system is designed correctly by a company like Grün-Sol Technologies, the amount of time you will spend on your batteries can be as little as 1 hour per month. Much less time than you will spend cutting the lawn. Please remember that the batteries are the heart of your system, and they will require some maintenance to ensure a long and productive life. By purchasing the correct batteries based on your initial systems requirements consult, and with proper maintenance it’s not uncommon to get 20 years of service from them.
Q: Do I have to put solar panels on my roof?
A: The solar panels can be placed either on your roof, the ground with a special mount or attached to a pole. The only requirement is that they be immersed in full sunlight for the maximum number of hours per day that is possible.
Q: How many years will my panels last?
A: If you purchase a good quality panel manufactured by one of the leading panel manufactures such as Shell, BP, Sharp, or Kyocera you should expect to see 25-30 years of service. These manufactures all put out a good product and have similar warranties which are in the 15-20 year range. Solar modules having such a good record of dependable service means that you are not likely to ever have to take advantage of the warranty.
Q: Do the panels require maintenance?
A: Your solar panels need the sun to shine on them in order for the panel to make power. Therefore the only real maintenance required is that you keep the panels free from snow, leaves, dirt, etc.
Q: Will the Canadian winters damage my panels?
A: Your solar panels are designed to be used in every type of weather you can imagine. They are incredibly durable pieces of equipment. Your panels will actually make more power on a bright sunny day in January than they would in June. The reason for this is that the panel operates more efficiently the colder the temperature. Canadian winters will pose no challenge for these panels!
Q: Do I have to change the angle of the panels for Summer and Winter?
A: In order to get the maximum power production from your panels it’s best to re-position them for the different seasons. Typically twice a year, fall and spring, you would re-adjust the panels to be at the optimum position for power production. This is especially true for us in the Northern Hemisphere. The panels are secured to your mount with an easy to adjust bracket that makes re-positioning very easy to do. If this is something that you don’t want to do, they can be installed at a position that gives you an average for the different seasons and do not require any movement.
Q: Does the color or the shape of the panel mean anything?
A: No not really. We are asked about this quite a bit. The only thing that matters is how much power the panel produces. The color is usually blue and the frame is aluminum. Most panels are rectangular in shape and come in many different sizes. Don’t ask for red or green because they don’t come this way.
Q: Why should I do business with Grün-Sol Technologies?
A: Firstly, we have access to world renowned products and technical advice as a result of our association and being a dealer for three of the largest Renewable Energy Products Distributors in Canada.
AEE Solar Inc. http://www.aeesolar.com/Canada.html
(Matrix Energy Inc.) www.matrixenergy.ca
Brac Systems Inc. www.bracsystems.com
As well, we are the New Brunswick distributors for BRAC Grey-Water Recycling and Rain-Water Harvesting Systems and we provide products and expertise from numerous Canadian manufacturers and retailers. Solar Hot Water Heating Systems, Solar Air Heating Systems, Photovoltaic Systems and Wind Turbines which enables us to offer the very best products and advice available on the market today. We will offer you competitive pricing with any comparable product purchased in Canada, the U.S or abroad.
Grün-Sol Technologies builds systems the way they should be built, the first time they are built! Dependable. Durable. Professional. Whether we will be powering Homes, Cottages, RV’s, Industrial Water Pumping, Commercial Lighting, Solar Water Heating, or Grey-Water Recycling we have the experienced people to design what is right for the application. The secret to any solid working system is designing it properly from the start.
We’ll begin by asking you many questions to determine what you really want to accomplish. From this, we show you on paper why you require a specific size system. We design and build systems using the most recent versions of RETScreen® software from Natural Resources Canada, and HOMER® software from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (USA). All our Solar Site Assessments are with the Solar Pathfinder Tool and Analysis Software System. We provide you with all the information on paper that you will require in making an informed and smart investing decision. The mathematics will prove to you why you need X amount of solar panels and X amount of battery capacity. We’ll take the time to show you how everything works, and if you need us to install it, we arrange that too. Some customers prefer to install their own systems, but still have a few questions for us. Please ask us, - that’s why were here.
Q: Do you offer after sales support?
A: Yes we do. All the products offered by Grün-Sol Technologies are backed by solid manufacturer warranties, and the products are all well known and proven in the Renewable Energies market. We encourage you to contact Grün-Sol Technologies at any time if you have questions that need answers, or problems that need solutions. If we can’t answer it, we will find the answer; get back to you, and also thank-you in some way for the opportunity to learn something new about Renewable Energy!
Q: What about purchasing equipment four years later for my system?
A: Grün-Sol Technologies and Renewable Energies are not going anywhere. We believe in the future of Renewable and Sustainable Energies, and want very much to be part of technologies that will change the world we live in. We are in it for the long haul just like you, your family, and your lifestyles. There will be no problems purchasing any of these products in the future because simply put, they are the future. Any person, who watches the news, buys fuel oil, commutes to work daily, pays an electricity bill or any other activity of our daily life, cannot help but notice our environment is changing, and changing rapidly.
Q: Are technologies changing quickly?
A: We often get asked about some new products that someone read on the internet or in a magazine somewhere. People tell us that it’s the new and upcoming technology that will change the face of Renewable Energies as we know it.
Yes the technology is changing. But it has been a slow, steady evolution that has helped the industry progress. Every year the price of Solar Technologies has dropped, but many factors come into play to affect the price of Solar. The big driver of price is that more and more people around the world are using the technology, and this is helping lower the cost. Solar, Wind and Thermal Energies are being used increasingly more and more all over the world. The Government of Canada along with many Provincial Governments have committed major funding for the increase usage of Renewable Energy Technologies and energy efficient products within their geographical areas. Changing trends in our environment and decreased fuel supply not to mention Greenhouse gases are demanding this positive change to Renewable Energy Technologies more and more as we move forward in our ever changing world. Indeed, this trend is going to continue well into our future, and most importantly, our children’s future.
RENEWABLE ENERGY FACTS
Solar Facts
• Each day more solar energy falls on Earth than the total amount of energy our world's 5.9 billion populations would consume in 27 years (based on 1995 levels).
• Photovoltaic modules recover their environmental and recycling costs within eighteen months of their use.
• Over its lifetime, a 50 watt solar module operating in Canada will produce more than 5 MWh of power.
• The main component of photovoltaic modules is silicon, the prevalent component of sand. The amorphous silicon cells manufactured from one ton of sand could produce as much electricity as burning 500,000 tons of coal.
• Photovoltaic modules covering less than 0.3% of the land in the United States, equivalent to 25% of the area currently occupied by railroads, could provide all of the electrical power required by the United States.
• A 1kWp PV system will prevent 136 kgs of CO2 from entering the atmosphere each month.
Wind Facts
• Global wind energy potential is roughly five times the world's current use of electricity.
• For four years running, the Worldwatch Institute has considered wind power the world's fastest growing energy source, growing 35% in 1998 to 9600 megawatts.
• The Government of Canada have put forth considerable funding for installing a minimum of 50 mW of installed wind capacity each year for nine years beginning in 2001.
• The use of 100 kWh of wind power is equivalent to the environment benefit of planting 1/2 acre of trees and not driving 3860 km each month.
