3 KW PV System
HEN Executive Director Lisa Seiler purchased a 2.89 KW photovoltaic system through ARISE Technologies. The system consists of 17 170-watt Day4 panels, which were manufactured in British Columbia. At the time, there was no talk of an Ontario content rule and Lisa wanted to buy this Canadian product. The installation was completed on April 30, 2009.
On December 16, 2009, Lisa received conditional approval for her system as part of the first batch of approvals by the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) to connect through the microFIT program. On April 7, 2010, Lisa was connected to the grid by Oakville Hydro. Lisa received her first cheque from Oakville Hydro in August.
The system cost approximately $28,500. All of the energy it produces is being sold to the grid. Lisa expects to receive about 10% of the cost each year in income.
- Production from April 7 to July 7, 2010 (first three month period): 1,310 kilowatt-hours, for $1,051
- Production from July 7 to October 7, 2010: 1,049 kWh, for $841
- Production from October 7, 2010 to January 7, 2011: 447 kWh, for $358.
- Production from January 7, 2011 to April 7, 2011: Although the multiple slopes on Lisa's roof kept the panels snow-covered for a month (our first big snow was on January 7), production in March on the clear, cold days has been amazing and comparable to summer production even though the days are much shorter.
Lisa is keeping daily statistics and will post a graph once she has a full year of data.
The panels on this system are arranged in a U-shape to avoid shading from the chimney on the right and to leave space for a solar domestic hot water system on the left.
The Xantrex inverter was installed on the outside of the garage. Both meters have now been replaced with smart meters.
