How Do Solar Panels
Work
Get your cutting edge renewable energy
technology
Government Rebates and Incentives for Solar Panel Installation
There’s never been a better time for residents of Saskatchewan to invest in solar power generation. Right now, the Saskatchewan government offers a variety of cash rebates and tax incentives for solar producers in Saskatchewan. Rebates and incentives are designed to encourage investment in renewable energy by providing financial benefits to energy producers.
There are currently three active financial incentives and one rebate program offered by the government of Saskatchewan, along with two federal incentive programs that provide benefits to businesses that invest in solar power. In this piece, we review the Federal and Provincial rebates and incentives that are available for solar panel installation.
Net Metering Program
One of the first decisions you’ll have to make about your solar power system is where to install it, and there are two basic options – on the ground or on the root of a building. Each option comes with its own unique profile of costs and benefits, so you’ll want to think carefully about which option works best for you.
Ground-mounted solar arrays require either screw piles or a concrete foundation, so they typically cost a little bit more to install. The key advantage of a ground-mounted solar power system is that you may be able to install a larger system if you have more ground space available than the size of your rooftop. The trade-off is that you’ll have less space for gardening or leisure if you choose to build a sizable solar array in your backyard.
Roof-mounted arrays are usually positioned at the roof’s slope to capture the sun’s radiation and produce electricity, and they are less likely to be blocked by nearby trees or other buildings. Solar arrays on the ground must be carefully angled and positioned to maximize the amount of sunlight that they receive each year. In Saskatchewan, solar panels should face South, East or West to maximize their productivity.
From an aesthetic standpoint, rooftop-mounted solar installations are typically preferred by homeowners and home buyers. They are generally hidden from view but still provide all the same benefits.
Increases in the efficiency of solar panels due to improvements in material science
Reduction in the cost of non-Silicon manufacturing inputs
Reduction in the cost of Silicon.
Reduced Silicon usage in solar cells
Smaller wafer area (improvement in design)
Plant size (economies of scale)
Today, thanks to the declining cost of solar power systems and the increasing availability of tax rebates and incentives for renewable energy, home and business owners can afford to invest in solar power systems that provide significant cash flow benefits and pay for themselves in just a few years.
How Does Solar Power Work?
Solar power systems take advantage of a physical and chemical phenomenon called the photovoltaic effect. The materials inside a solar panel absorb ultraviolet radiation from the sun and convert it into an electrical current that can be used to power appliances and electronics in your home or sold into the power grid.
You don’t have to be an expert in photovoltaic chemistry to take advantage of your own solar power system, but you should understand basically how your solar power system works. Here’s our simplest explanation in five easy steps:
The solar panels installed on your home, farm or business capture solar energy and turn it into Direct Current (DC) electricity.
The current is fed into a machine called an inverter that converts it into Alternating Current (AC) electricity. This lowers the voltage and makes it safe to use for powering electronics in the home.
Next, the electric current is fed into a switchboard where it can be routed to different endpoints or destinations.
Some of the captured electricity can be used to power appliances and electronics in your home or business.
Surplus energy can be fed into your local power grid, earning you energy rebates and incentives that reduce your monthly power bill or generate additional income for your home or business.
The solar panels installed on your home, farm or business capture solar energy and turn it into Direct Current (DC) electricity.
The current is fed into a machine called an inverter that converts it into Alternating Current (AC) electricity. This lowers the voltage and makes it safe to use for powering electronics in the home.
Next, the electric current is fed into a switchboard where it can be routed to different endpoints or destinations.
Some of the captured electricity can be used to power appliances and electronics in your home or business.
Surplus energy can be fed into your local power grid, earning you energy rebates and incentives that reduce your monthly power bill or generate additional income for your home or business.
Solar Power in Saskatchewan: Outlook and Opportunities
It’s an exciting time to be looking at Solar Power systems for your home, farm or business in Saskatchewan.
Saskatchewan’s geographic position makes it the most attractive province in Canada for capturing solar power. In Saskatchewan, a 1000kW system can produce up to 1330kWh of electricity per year, compared with 1166kWh for the same-sized system in Ontario and just 965kWh for a similar system in the Yukon Territory.
To complement its excellent solar power productivity, Saskatchewan also offers attractive government rebates and net metering policies along with low installation costs for solar power systems. While other provinces purchase electricity for as little as one-third of the retail rate, the government of Saskatchewan offers better pricing for small energy rebates along with attractive rebates and tax incentives that encourage investment in solar power.
Capital Cost Allowance (CCA) for Clean Energy Projects
The Canadian Income Tax Act creates special provisions for investments in clean energy generation and energy conservation equipment.
One such provision offers a special, accelerated capital cost allowance (CCA) for clean energy generation equipment, including solar power generation systems. Under the normal rules of capital cost allowance, property is to be depreciated over the course of its useful life. With the accelerated CCA, businesses can write off larger portions of the cost of a solar power system in the first years of ownership.
Our solar power systems classify for Class 43.2, which can be written off at a 100% rate in the first year. The CCA helps businesses recover their money more quickly in the form of tax incentives when investing in solar power generation projects.
Ground vs Rooftop Installation – What’s the Difference?
One of the first decisions you’ll have to make about your solar power system is where to install it, and there are two basic options – on the ground or on the root of a building. Each option comes with its own unique profile of costs and benefits, so you’ll want to think carefully about which option works best for you.
Ground-mounted solar arrays require either screw piles or a concrete foundation, so they typically cost a little bit more to install. The key advantage of a ground-mounted solar power system is that you may be able to install a larger system if you have more ground space available than the size of your rooftop. The trade-off is that you’ll have less space for gardening or leisure if you choose to build a sizable solar array in your backyard.
Roof-mounted arrays are usually positioned at the roof’s slope to capture the sun’s radiation and produce electricity, and they are less likely to be blocked by nearby trees or other buildings. Solar arrays on the ground must be carefully angled and positioned to maximize the amount of sunlight that they receive each year. In Saskatchewan, solar panels should face South, East or West to maximize their productivity.
From an aesthetic standpoint, rooftop-mounted solar installations are typically preferred by homeowners and home buyers. They are generally hidden from view but still provide all the
FAQs
Will Solar Panels Save Me Money?
If you currently pay a monthly or bimonthly bill for electricity at your home or business, you can save a significant amount of money (and even generate additional income) by investing in solar power.
In Saskatchewan, the average family spends between $1200 and $2000 annually on their electricity bill. Even a below average-sized solar array can produce enough electricity to completely offset this cost while taking advantage of Saskatchewan’s net metering program.
Are Solar Panels Environmentally Friendly?
Solar panels are an environmentally friendly option for generating renewable energy. As an alternative to fossil fuels, solar power systems provide a limitless source of energy that results in zero environmental damage and no emissions of greenhouse gases or other harmful chemicals into our atmosphere.
One study conducted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory found that widespread adoption of solar technologies would decrease atmospheric levels of nitrous oxides, sulfur dioxide and particulates, all of which can cause serious health issues.
Can Solar Panels Blow Off My Roof?
In areas where high winds are common, our customers frequently express concern about whether solar panels could blow off their roof in a storm. If you live in an area with hurricane force winds, it is possible for the shingles on the roof of your house to fly off during a storm. This is a more likely occurrence than the failure of a solar panel or a solar racking system.
Solar modules are rigorously tested in laboratory conditions to ensure that they can survive all the environmental stressors and weather phenomena that are commonly seen. Researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory have tested solar modules by catapulting ice balls at them at 70 mile per hour to verify their durability and resistance to damage.
Solar power systems installed by Go Solar Sask are resistant to high winds and even hail. Our solar arrays are built to withstand the harsh Canadian climate as they sit in your yard, field, or on your roof for every single day of the next 25+ years.
Can Solar Panels Blow Off My Roof?
In areas where high winds are common, our customers frequently express concern about whether solar panels could blow off their roof in a storm. If you live in an area with hurricane force winds, it is possible for the shingles on the roof of your house to fly off during a storm. This is a more likely occurrence than the failure of a solar panel or a solar racking system.
Solar modules are rigorously tested in laboratory conditions to ensure that they can survive all the environmental stressors and weather phenomena that are commonly seen. Researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory have tested solar modules by catapulting ice balls at them at 70 mile per hour to verify their durability and resistance to damage.
Solar power systems installed by Go Solar Sask are resistant to high winds and even hail. Our solar arrays are built to withstand the harsh Canadian climate as they sit in your yard, field, or on your roof for every single day of the next 25+ years.
Can Solar Power Be Stored?
Our solar power generation systems make it easy for you to start generating your own power, but what about storing that power for use later? To store energy for later, you’ll want to invest in solar batteries. Solar batteries capture energy from your solar power system and store it, just like a normal battery.
The downside of solar batteries is that they’re quite expensive for the quantity of storage that you get, so you’re probably better off with net metering, Saskatchewan’s government program that lets you feed your excess power directly into the power grid.
How Do Solar Panels Work When It’s Dark or Cloudy?
Solar panels absorb a wide spectrum of radiation from the sun, including ultraviolet light. These light rays penetrate the atmosphere regardless of weather conditions, so your solar panels will still produce some energy when it’s cloudy or overcast outside. During the night, solar power production is at its lowest – that’s why it is recommended that you take advantage of Saskatchewan’s net metering program.
The program lets you feed excess power into the grid during the day when your panels are generating a lot of power, and to draw power from the grid when your panels are generating little power, like at night. At the end of each month, you’ll be billed for the power that you used and credited for the power that you supplied. Net metering makes it easy for you to drive down your monthly power bill with solar while still maintaining consistent access to electricity when you need it – no matter the time of day or weather conditions.
Are You Ready to Go Solar?
At Go Solar, we’re passionate about helping Saskatchewan residents make the switch to solar power. Whether you’re upgrading your home, commercial property, or agricultural land, our skilled solar technicians have the knowledge and experience to manage your installation from start to finish. Learn more about what we have to offer:
Need Answers or Advice About Solar Power Generation?
We’re the Solar Power experts in your community. Drop us a line - we’d love to help.
Need Answers or Advice About Solar Power Generation?
We’re the Solar Power experts in your community. Drop us a line - we’d love to help.