The Above image is Drake landing, a groundbreaking solar heating community and winner of the 2011 Energy Award in Energy Magazine. This neighbourhood near Calgary is facing some big decisions, once considered a world leader, the future of this community is now in doubt.
The solar energy industry boasts profitability, propelled by automation, global supply chains, and enhanced manufacturing efficiency, all contributing to robust margins for manufacturers. Additionally, the intricate installation process ensures healthy profits for businesses engaged in panel installation. However, amidst this prosperity, the end consumer often finds themselves devoid of substantial savings.
Here are 8 reasons why you should NOT get solar panels.
Massive Cost: The upfront cost of purchasing and installing solar panels can be significant. Even though prices have decreased in recent years, the initial investment may still be prohibitive for some homeowners. Less money could be spent on converting the most energy-intensive appliances in a home to natural gas. Natural gas appliances, such as furnaces, dryers, water heaters, and stoves, typically have lower operating costs compared to their electric counterparts. Utilizing natural gas for these appliances can lead to significant energy savings, as natural gas is often more cost-effective than electricity, especially for high-demand applications. This transition not only lowers electricity usage but also decreases overall energy expenses, resulting in reduced utility bills for homeowners.
Rate Structure Changes: Utility companies may periodically adjust their rate structures, including the rates they offer for excess energy fed back into the grid. Changes in rates could affect the financial benefits of net metering, potentially reducing the rebate or credit received for exported energy. Basing a decade long savings calculation on the hope that a rate structure is always in your favor is risky at best.
Policy Uncertainty: Net metering policies are subject to regulatory and legislative changes, which can introduce uncertainty for homeowners who rely on these programs to offset their energy costs. Changes in government policies or utility regulations could impact the financial viability of solar installations and the benefits of net metering. In places like Alberta the energy minister openly feels the Regulated Rate should be eliminated while the Premier is shutting down new solar projects.
Investment Recovery Period: The financial benefits of net metering, including rebates or credits for exported energy, may take several years to offset the upfront costs of installing solar panels. Homeowners should carefully consider the payback period and return on investment when evaluating the economic feasibility of solar installations.
Switching To A Competitive Energy Retailer: In deregulated markets consumers have a choice in who they buy their energy from. By choosing a retailer they can access a variety of different pricing plans not offered by the utility. Individuals who have solar plans will not be able to choose from the same number of competitive energy plans and in some cases may be stuck with the utility. In Alberta from 2022-2024 the Utility was at an all time historic high, wiping out any possible savings from solar panels. There are also companies like Xoom Energy that offer "Courtesy Rate Change" allowing customers to have the security of a fixed rate in case of market volatility with the ability to change their rate 1 time during the contract term with NO penalty.
Solar panels in northern winter climates face challenges such as shorter daylight hours, lower sun angles, snow coverage, and temperature-related efficiency decreases. Reduced daylight hours mean less sunlight available for electricity generation, while lower sun angles result in decreased sunlight intensity reaching the panels. Snowfall can accumulate on panels, hindering electricity generation, although panel design and color can mitigate this issue.
The number of holes required in a roof for fastening solar panels can indeed be a concern for potential roof leaks. Each hole made for a fastener represents a potential entry point for water if not properly sealed and maintained. Ideally, reputable solar installation companies take measures to minimize this risk by using high-quality mounting hardware and sealants specifically designed to prevent leaks. Practically speaking there are good and bad installers in every industry and sometimes it can be hard to tell. The fewer penetrations there are in a roof system the lower probability for leaks.
Regular inspections and maintenance are also essential to ensure the integrity of the roof and the effectiveness of the solar panel installation over time. In some cases, homeowners may be financially responsible for performing or arranging their own maintenance tasks, such as cleaning the panels periodically or monitoring their performance.
The fundamental question you should ask yourself is WHY you want solar panels. If the answer is to save money, you might be signing a contract on a decade long financial burden that only breaks even. If you want independence from the electrical grid, a better solution is to ground mount solar panels that feed a battery bank and use a transfer switch so that you can disconnect from the grid all together, any time you want. I can see why everyone is pushing home owners to install solar panels when every company involved in the process enjoys large profit margins. I'd rather use natural gas appliances and choose a competitive energy retailer.
THE TEAM
Alberta's Experienced Energy Retailers
This right here!!! I know several that should read this as well!! thank you
Super educational