Question 1

What are the financial benefits of solar power?

Accepted Answer

When you install a solar energy system on your property, you save money on your electricity bills and protect yourself against rising electricity rates in the future. How much you can save depends on BC Hydro’s rates, your electricity consumption and the size of the system. Going solar is a smart investment regardless of where you live.

Question 2

Are there any government incentives available?

Accepted Answer

Yes, BC has a 7% PST exemption on all solar parts when purchased as a package to produce energy. Also, as of May 2021 the federal government announced the Greener Homes Grant program which can save you up to $5000 on your solar install. Learn more.

Question 3

How do solar photovoltaic (PV) panels work?

Accepted Answer

Solar panels absorb the sun's energy throughout the day and convert it into direct current (DC) electricity. Most homes and businesses run on alternating current (AC) electricity, so the DC electricity is then passed through an inverter to convert it to usable AC electricity. At that point, you either use the electricity in your house or send it back to the electric grid.

Question 4

What is the residential installation process like from start to finish?

Accepted Answer

Making the decision to switch to solar is a great choice. However, getting started and understanding the process can often be daunting for those unfamiliar with the industry. Oceanvolt Electrical Energy provides turnkey systems and takes care of all of the permitting, net metering application, etc... Here is a list of the steps for a typical residential installation: 1. Initial estimate – If high-quality satellite images are available, we can provide accurate estimates for system size and energy production for your specific house. 2. Site assessment – We visit the site to obtain detailed site-specific information required for a solar installation including detailed roof measurements, electrical capacity of your electrical system and a shading analysis (if required). For a new construction home, Oceanvolt Electrical can design a system right from the architectural drawings. 3. System design & quote – Oceanvolt Electrical will design a system specific to your roof space, budget and electricity needs. We will provide you with a document showing what your home will look like with solar on the roof as well as an economic analysis. 4. Permitting and grid connection application – Oceanvolt Electrical takes care of ALL the permitting required and the net metering application to connect the system to the grid. 5. Installation and commissioning – Jordan & Marcus will install and commission your system. 6. Final walkthrough with the homeowner.

Question 5

Can I monitor my solar panels production?

Accepted Answer

Yes, each individual system has its own lifetime monitoring with no subscription which can be accessed through a smartphone tablet or computer.

Question 6

Do solar panels work when the power goes out?

Accepted Answer

If your solar panel system is connected to the grid, it will shut off in the event of a blackout. This is to prevent emergency responders and electricity utility repair-people from being injured by your panels sending power back to the grid. However, when paired with a battery storage system the panels will continue to produce power to charge the batteries and supply essential loads.

Question 7

Is BC a good place for solar?

Accepted Answer

While we may not get as much sun as the southern US, solar actually performs better in colder temperatures, meaning that Canadians will produce a lot of energy in the cooler spring and fall months.  In fact, most of BC boasts more sunshine than Germany, who is a world leader in solar PV.

Question 8

How much does a solar power system cost?

Accepted Answer

*Electricity production varies with roof angle, shading, etc. **System costs vary depending on the difficulty of the installation, roof type, roof vs ground mount, and other factors. ***Savings determined after the system has paid itself off. Savings vary based on consumption numbers, current rebates, etc.

Question 9

Do solar panels produce power when the sun isn’t shining?

Accepted Answer

The amount of power your solar energy system can generate is dependent on sunlight. As a result, your solar panels will produce slightly less energy when the weather is cloudy, and no energy at night.

Question 10

What is net metering?

Accepted Answer

Net metering is the system that utilities use to credit solar energy system owners for the electricity produced by their solar panels. With net metering, you only pay for the electricity that you use beyond what your solar panels can generate.

Question 11

How do I know if solar is right for me?

Accepted Answer

Making an investment in solar is a personal decision, so only you can answer that.  Some questions that you may want to ask yourself include:    1. Am I concerned about the rising BC Hydro power prices? 2. Would I prefer to continue paying my BC Hydro bills for the next 30 years, or own my own solar power production? 3. Do I want to invest in my property and raise its market value? 4. Do I plan on purchasing an electric car or already own one? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then solar might be right for you.

Question 12

Do I need batteries for my solar system?

Accepted Answer

No. Though battery backup systems like the Enphase Encharge & Tesla Powerwall are becoming more popular, such systems are not required in order to harness solar energy. Grid tied solar PV systems are designed to export excess power back to BC Hydro. Rather than being stored in an on site battery system like the Encharge, the electrical grid itself serves as a kind of informal battery, since PV systems feed energy into it when they are producing more than you need, and you can still pull electricity from the grid at any time on demand.

Question 13

What should I look out for when obtaining solar quotes?

Accepted Answer

As you are gathering quotes it's a good thing to do your own research on what panels and inverters each company is offering. These are the main components of a solar system, quality and efficiency can vary substantially from brand to brand. Cheaper parts have higher failure rates and efficiency defects. We use Enphase micro inverters and QCELL/LG solar panels. We install these components and only these components on all of our projects as we have determined through courses and research that these are the best on the market today.

Question 14

Does installing solar affect my property value?

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that homes with solar energy systems sell for more than homes without them. A 2018 Kelowna study shows that for every 1kW of solar panels installed, it increases the value of the home by $6000. People are willing to pay more for properties with lower electricity bills.

Question 15

Why go solar when we have hydroelectric power?

Accepted Answer

While hydropower is a renewable energy source, there are some important environmental impacts that come along with building hydroelectric plants to be aware of. Most importantly, storage hydropower or pumped storage hydropower systems interrupt the natural flow of a river system. This leads to disrupted animal migration paths, issues with water quality, and human or wildlife displacement.

Question 16

How do the panels attach to the roof?

Accepted Answer

We use the FastRack mounting system. Fast-Rack Solar Systems are made and designed in Canada giving Canadians superior performance, quality, and assurance that their solar system will stand the test of time. Sleek & Powerful: Fast-Rack Solar Systems don’t just lower your electric bill; they look good while doing it. With optional black modules and available trim kits, Fast-Rack can make your system the best-looking system in your neighbourhood. Durable: Your solar system is one of the most important investments you can make. That is why every component of your Fast-Rack System has been tested to ensure quality, even in Canada’s most extreme environments. Waterproof: Fast-Rack Talons ensure that your system never leaks. This revolutionary product provides its own integrated multilayer waterproofing protection system that is guaranteed not to leak. Furthermore, the Fast-Rack Talon also enables homeowners to place their solar system anywhere on the roof that they like. Lower Cost: Fast-Rack is just that, Fast. Faster installations means less time and thus lower cost.   Protected: Every Fast-Rack product is covered by our standard 10-year product warranty, which can be upgraded to 25-years. This guarantees that all products are free from any manufacturing defects and will perform as we state in our printed literature.

Question 17

What happens if I sell my solar house?

Accepted Answer

If you own your solar energy system, your solar house will sell at a premium. A 2018 Kelowna Study shows that property values increase by as much as $6,000 for every 1 kW installed.

Question 18

Can I install solar panels on the ground?

Accepted Answer

Yes, ground mount solar systems are a great option when roof space is limited. Ground mount systems can be easier to install, maintain and clean.

Question 19

Are BC Hydro rates rising?

Accepted Answer

Yes, according to the provincial government BC Hydro rates have gone up by 25% since 2013, and by more than 70% since 2001. By installing solar panels you can protect yourself from these rising rates for the next 30+ years. Why rent your power when you can produce your own.

Question 20

Why should I go solar now?

Accepted Answer

Simply put – the sooner you get solar, the sooner you will enjoy its benefits! If you wait for some unproven technology down the road, you will have missed the opportunity to generate your own power now. Solar is like saving for retirement – the sooner you start doing it, the better.

Question 21

Do I need to replace my roof before installing solar panels?

Accepted Answer

Solar energy systems can last for 25 to 35 years, and it can be costly to remove and reinstall them if you need to replace your roof. If your roof needs maintenance in the near term, you should complete it before you start your solar installation.

Question 22

How long do solar systems last?

Accepted Answer

With no moving parts and high quality manufacturing standards, solar PV systems are in a class of their own when it comes to durability.  Solar panels we install come with a 25-year performance warranty, and generally last much longer than that. The Enphase inverters, which convert energy from the Direct Current (DC) produced by the panels to the Alternating Current used on your property, have an industry leading 25 year limited warranty.

Question 23

What type of warranty is there?

Accepted Answer

There are actually 3 different warranties that provide reassurance you’ll be producing power for years to come:   1. Product Warranty - At Oceanvolt Electrical, we only offer panels with a minimum 12-year limited Product Warranty on materials and workmanship.   2. Performance Warranty - We only choose solar panels that guarantee they’ll produce a minimum 93% of the rated power after 10 years and 85% after 25 years. 3.  Service Warranty  - If there are any labor-related defects from the installation process, Oceanvolt Electrical will repair them free of charge for 2 years after the date of installation.

Question 24

How much does an EV charging station cost?

Accepted Answer

To supply and install a Level II charging station costs around $2,000. This includes the charger, permit & labour. Costs can vary depending on multiple factors.

Question 25

How much will solar panel maintenance cost?

Accepted Answer

Solar panel systems are made of durable tempered glass and require little to no maintenance for the 25 to 35 years that they will generate power. In most cases, you don’t even need to clean your solar panels regularly.

OCEANVOLT
ELECTRICAL

Solar

25 YEAR WARRANTY

Why you should install solar panels on your home:

SAVE MONEY

GO GREEN

UPGRADE YOUR PROPERTY

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM RISING BC HYDRO RATES

Your full turnkey solar system installer

Oceanvolt Electrical is an all-in-one service provider, with everything you need to power your home with clean solar energy. We will oversee your entire project and provide a single point of contact and accountability throughout the life of your system.

Why you should choose Oceanvolt Electrical for your solar installation:

We Care

Competitive Pricing

Safety First

Quality Assurance

19+ Years Experience

Learning Forward

The process of installing solar panels on your home:

Canada Greener Homes Grant

Learn about the products we install:

FastRack Mounting System

QCELL and LG Solar Panels

Enphase Micro Inverters

High Caliber Products

We stand behind the products we install, that's why we offer a
25 year labour and workmanship warranty on our systems.

SOLAR INSTALLATIONS

DIANA THORNTON

GOT QUESTIONS?

Don't worry! We are here to answer them.

Let's make your home greener together

OCEANVOLT ELECTRICAL