Residential Solar
Generating Your Own Electricity
Residential solar simply means a solar panel system designed for your home. A residential solar panel system can be grid-tied, off-grid or a hybrid. It can be installed on the roof of your home or on the ground and it may include batteries for storing electricity or a connection to a generator.
When you invest in solar panels you invest into an appreciating asset; the value of your solar energy system keeps increasing each year as utility prices inflate.
Grid Tied
When discussing residential solar we typically are referring to grid-tied systems, which means the home is tied into the electrical company’s power source. This includes BC’s primary utility providers BC Hydro and Fortis BC as well as the five BC municipalities that have their own utilities: New Westminster, Penticton, District of Summerland, Grand Forks and Nelson. With a grid-tied system, your solar energy system generates power for use during the day and the utility provides power during the night. By participating in the local utility’s net metering program, when you produce more solar power than your home needs, the excess energy is sent out to the grid through your utility meter and you gain net credits towards your bill.
Off-Grid Systems
If your home is not connected to the utility then you need an off-grid system. These systems are more complex and involve batteries and a secondary energy source (typically a generator).
Off-grid consumers typically need to be much more aware of their energy consumption and more “hands-on”. It is crucial to understand your energy consumption in order to size the system appropriately.
Hybrid Systems
A hybrid solar system is the best of both worlds – with solar panels and a back-up battery bank, you can be your own energy provider with the safety net of being connected to the electricity grid. These solar panel systems provide POWER WHEN YOU NEED IT. A hybrid solar energy systems can power an entire house with clean energy even when there is no sun, future-proofing your home (or business). Hybrid solar systems are becoming more popular every day.
Off-Grid Solar Systems
Total Energy Independence
Off-grid solar PV systems work independently of the utility grid. Designed to generate enough energy to meet a property’s consumption it combines solar plus batteries plus other energy sources (propane, NG and/or a generator). Off-grid is ideal for remote sites and sites with low consumption or for those wanting to achieve true energy independence.
Energy Economics delivers complete solutions to clients across British Columbia, working with you to establish your future energy needs, and designing a complete system to bring your energy independence to fruition.
Benefits of Off-Grid Solar Systems
Become completely self-sustaining and eliminate your reliance on the utility grid.
Racking
A solid foundation to hold your solar panels.
Racking is used to mount affix solar panels in place, either on your roof or on the ground. Consisting of mounting hardware, clamps, and rails, the type of racking will differ according to the surface it is being mounted to (flat roof, pitched roof, or on the ground). Proper design is essential as the materials are pre-engineered for wind lift and snow loads.
Solar Panels
Convert the sun’s energy into DC power.
Solar panels (or solar modules) are a collection of photovoltaic cells in a glass frame. They harness the energy of the sun by using the photovoltaic cells to generate direct current (DC) electricity. Premium solar modules convert about 20% of the sun’s energy into electricity. This electricity, once inverted into AC power can be used in residential and commercial buildings.
Batteries
Store energy generated by your solar array.
Solar panels have one job: They collect sunlight and transform it into electricity. But they can make that energy only when the sun is shining. That’s why the ability to store solar energy for later use is important: It helps to keep the balance between electricity generation and demand. There are various types of solar batteries including lead-acid, absorbed glass mat (AGM), lithium ion, and lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4). Sizing of the batteries is critical to ensure maximum efficiency and to protect the life of the batteries. We work with you to determine the ideal system for your needs.
Power Center
The smart way to go off-grid.
Simplify your off-grid project with our pre-assembled Power Centers. We wire, assemble and test the major components into a single easy-to-use unit. Our Power Centers make going Off-Grid easier.
Roof Mount Solar Systems
Is Your Roof Suitable For Solar Panels?
Solar racking is mounted directly to the roof. This system is ideal for buildings with good exposure to the sun with few obstructions and little shading. The roofing substrate should be in good condition prior to installing solar. Factors we consider include the pitch of the roof, the type of roofing material (asphalt shingles, metal, tiles etc), and the environment (load snow and wind loads).
Ground Mount
Ideal For Larger Energy Needs
When the roof is not suitable for solar, ground-mounted systems can be an excellent solution. If there is enough property, they can be ideally positioned to maximize your solar energy generation. Utilizing bifacial solar modules can increase production by capturing the sun reflecting off the ground behind the panels. As well, racking that allows for manually adjusting the panels to optimize the tilt (the angle of the panels to the sun) further increases energy production.
Ground mount systems can be ideal for larger energy needs.
Grid-Tied Solar Systems
Self-Generation
Grid-Tied Solar System also known as on-grid, utility-interactive, grid intertie, and grid back feeding is a solar system concept that is connected to the utility power grid via your electrical panel. This “behind the meter” system means the solar panels produce electricity that is fed into the breaker panel and always used first by the owner. If there is surplus it goes out to the grid and is counted as credits on your account.
Because a Grid-Tied Solar System does not require batteries and other equipment to use battery storage energy, it will lower equipment and installation cost allowing you to save more money with solar panels through better efficiency rates and net metering. Grid-tied solar systems are generally cheaper and very simple to install.
Benefits of Grid-Tied Solar Systems
If you live in proximity to the grid, Grid-Tied systems allow you to generate income from your investment, in addition to generating your own renewable energy for your property, and increasing your property values. Reduce your carbon footprint as solar energy produces 85% less CO2 than electricity produced by coal.
Racking
A solid foundation to hold your solar panels.
Racking is used to mount affix solar panels in place, either on your roof or on the ground. Consisting of mounting hardware, clamps, and rails, the type of racking will differ according to the surface it is being mounted to (flat roof, pitched roof, or on the ground). Proper design is essential as the materials are pre-engineered for wind lift and snow loads.
Solar Panels
Convert the sun’s energy into DC power.
Solar panels (or solar modules) are a collection of photovoltaic cells in a glass frame. They harness the energy of the sun by using the photovoltaic cells to generate direct current (DC) electricity. Premium solar modules convert about 20% of the sun’s energy into electricity. This electricity, once inverted into AC power can be used in residential and commercial buildings.
Power Center
The smart way to go off-grid.
Simplify your off-grid project with our pre-assembled Power Centers. We wire, assemble and test the major components into a single easy-to-use unit. Our Power Centers make going Off-Grid easier.
Get to know our work
We have created custom solar solutions for hundreds of clients, across British Columbia. Get to know our work, and see the projects we have helped bring to life.
