Solar Energy Questions and Answers
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MicroFIT and FIT
" The FIT Program is for all projects over 10 kW. Incremental projects (additions to existing facilities) may be eligible, provided they use the same meter as the existing facility. However, only the generation attributed to the incremental project will be eligible for FIT Program payments. Solar projects are limited to 10 megawatts (MW) per project. "
" Homeowners, farmers and small business owners have the opportunity to develop a very small or micro renewable energy generation project which is under 10kW. The microFIT program will pay you a premium for all electricity generated. Rates are guaranteed and locked for 20 years. "
What if I sell my house while under a microFIT contract?
" The OPA anticipates that sellers would include their renewable energy systems as part of the sale of their homes. In this case, the microFIT contract can be assigned to the purchaser. The new contract holder would receive payments in accordance with the microFIT contract for the remainder of the contract term.
If you wish to take your project with you to your new residence, your contract will be terminated when your local distribution company account is closed and your connection agreement with your local distribution company is terminated. You have the option of applying for a new contract once the project is connected at your new residence. "
Financial Questions
How are payments calculated for my microFIT?
" Generators will be paid for all of the electricity produced by their project, whether it is connected directly to the distribution system or load embedded. The load customer (i.e., the consumer of electricity such as a home) will be billed separately for all of the power consumed. Therefore, payment equals electricity production (kWh) multiplied by the microFIT contract price. "
" Payments will come from your LDC (Local Distribution Company), such as Hydro One. "
Will the rates change on my contact?
" The rate on your contract is legally binding between you and the Ontario Government for the full 20 years. It is also protected under the Green Energy Act. "
How long does it take to see income?
" With financing costs being lower than monthly revenue, you’ll make a profit the first month your system is online and generating. "
Microinverter
" Enphase Microinverters are a whole new approach to solar. Traditionally, solar systems are designed around a central inverter device. This means that tens, hundreds or even thousands of solar panels are controlled all at once.
Enphase Microinverters replace these large pieces of electrical equipment with small electronics attached to each solar panel. This leads to significant improvements in energy production and it adds a new layer of intelligence throughout the system. The Microinverter allows the monitoring of each solar panel for performance. "
Are Microinverters more reliable?
" A recent 2 year study has shown that the reliability of microinverters is 45 to 70 times greater than traditional central inverters. This level of field-proven reliability allows installers and system owners to benefit from the exceptional system uptime that the Enphase Microinverter System provides. "
Is there a performance gain using a Microinverter?
" The results show that Enphase Microinverter installations on average outperform estimations by 8 percent, with a majority of sites outperforming by 10 percent or more. "
Warranties
" Ten (10) years against mechanical failure (breakage) of the frame construction
Two (2) years product guarantee on material and workmanship "
" Workmanship
Schuco warrants that for five (5) years from the date of delivery, the Schuco crystalline photovoltaic modules (each a “PV Module”) shall be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal, application, installation, use and service conditions.
Performance
Schuco warrants a module output for the PV module of at least 90% of the nominal power output within twelve (12) years from the date of delivery to the Schuco customer. In addition, Schuco warrants a module output for the PV module of at least 80% of the nominal power output within twenty-five (25) years from the date of delivery to the Schuco customer. "
" Construction Warranty – 5 (five) Year Repair or Replacement
SolGate warrants all Product to be free from construction defects in material and workmanship
under normal application, installation, use, storage, transportation, handling and service
conditions. If the Product fails to conform to this warranty, SolGate will, at its sole option, either
repair or replace the Product.
Power Output Warranty
SolGate warrants that for the period of 12 years, from the Commencement Date, the power output
of the Product will not fall below 90% of the designated Minimum Power (Pmin). SolGate
further warrants that the period of twenty-five (25) years from the Commencement Date the
power output of the Product will not fall below 80% of the designated Minimum Power (Pmin). "
Enphase Microinverter Warranties
" M215
The Enphase limited warranty (“Limited Warranty”) covers defects in workmanship and materials of the Enphase Microinverter (“Defective Product”) for a period of twenty-five (25) years from the date of original purchase of such Microinverter at point of sale to the originally-installed end user location (the “Warranty Period”).
D380 and M190
The Enphase limited warranty ("Limited Warranty") covers defects in workmanship and materials of the Enphase Microinverter ("Defective Product") for a period of fifteen (15) years from the date of original purchase of such Microinverter at
point of sale to the originally-installed end user location (the "Warranty Period"). During the Warranty Period, the warranty is transferable to a different owner as long as the Microinverter remains installed at the originally-installed end user location. "
Solar Trackers
" It is a mechanical structure that moves with the suns movement over the course of the day. The sun’s rays reflect directly on a solar reflector that initiates the physical movement of the Solar modules into precise positions for the modules to create optimum energy production. The tracker will move your solar array into the needed position over the course of the day as the sun moves so it will produce the maximum Kw hours "
Why do we exclusively use Lorentz Trackers?
" With over 21,000 solar trackers in operation all over the world, Lorentz Trackers are engineered to last. The Lorentz Tracking systems are proven producers in Arctic conditions and dessert scapes alike. "
How much extra power will a solar tracker generate?
" The kW hour production increases by as much as 30-40% which increases your income from your system. ( by as much as $4,000.00 per year) "
Single, or Dual Axis Trackers?
" Dual axis trackers are more complex in design, using additional motors and sensors to track the sun. Dual axis also use an “eye” sensor which visually follows the sun, while the single axis tracks the sun using a predictable pattern based on the time of year.
On a cloudy day you’ll find dual axis trackers pointing all over the sky, while the single access tracker points directly where it should be – at the sun. This eliminates any unnecessary tracking movements which only result in additional wear and tear, and loss of power.
More on Single VS. Dual Axis Trackers "
