1. Property characteristics. For example: size of the property; obstructions (trees, other buildings, etc.); roof type and pitch; property size; land slope, etc.


2. Expectations. Each system is designed for the individual's needs or desires. Whether a system is installed so that the customer is totally self-reliant (off-grid) or so that electrical bills are minimally or extensively lowered, is completely up to the individual. Each and every installation is unique.


3. Budget. Solar products are in high demand these days, and this high demand means that the various technologies are improving and the costs are declining. The size of the system will depend on space and financial capabilities.

Once these factors are decided upon, we'll be able to determine what kind of system would best suit your needs. Systems can also be combined to provide you with the best configuration. Examples of the various systems available are:

• roof-mounted solar PV modules (typical for residential installations and commercial buildings)
• stand-alone solar arrays (ideal where large tracts of land are available, or when roof mounting is not an option)
• dual system - combination of roof-mounted and stand-alone arrays
• wind turbine
• hybrid system - combination wind turbine, roof mounted solar PV modules and/or stand-alone PV solar arrays

1. want to reduce their carbon footprint. Installing a solar PV system produces energy that is virtually carbon-free. When this energy is fed back to the utility grid this reduces the amount of energy required from carbon emitting generating plants and other non-renewable resource power generators.


2. would like to take advantage of Ontario's new FIT Program or microFIT Program. The program is designed to kick-start the solar PV industry. Property owners can now sell the energy they generate through solar at a guaranteed rate for 20 years! When you invest in a solar PV system, you can obtain an 11 % - 13% ROI (Return On Investment) with a payback of between 8 and 9 years with a Power1Solar system installed with an optimum south facing orientation.
   Note: Payback will be affected by; system orientation; personal financing options, etc. Contact Us for more information
   Find out more about Ontario's Renewable Energy Feed-In Tariff Program, here.


3. want to increase the value of their home or business. With the current focus on the environment worldwide, the pressure is on everyone to do what they can to reduce GHG (Greenhouse Gases). Governments are introducing programs to assist all property owners, big and small. Think of the advantage you would have over properties that are not helping the environment.

Note: Power1Solar does not recommend Homeowners install a solar PV system for the sole purpose of recovering the energy that they consume, as it is not economically viable. Power1Solar recommends solar PV installations as an investment option.

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3. Can anyone have a solar PV system installed?

Any property owner can have a solar PV system installed. However, the systems will only be beneficial if the right factors are recognized. For example, if your property is located in a forested area where little sunlight is achieved, a solar PV system will not likely be very beneficial to you. That is not to say that you cannot benefit from renewable resources. We will be able to assess your property and determine whether or not you are a good candidate for a solar PV system.

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4. What is involved in performing a property assessment?

A property assessment is crucial in determing the following:

We use a device called the Solar Pathfinder. The Solar Pathfinder provides mathematical precision for accurate shading assessment, eliminating gross errors in structure orientation, solar system sizing and panel placement. Combined with software that allows us to print the resulting reports, you will have the peace of mind that your system will be designed to give you optimum output, and satisfaction...guaranteed!

Request an assessment

*System Monitoring allows us to monitor your system on a continual basis to ensure it is running as efficiently as possible. We can monitor each panels performance which allows us to detect any faults or power loss from your panels.

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6. What financial incentives are available?

Ontario's new Feed-in Tariff Program (FIT) is a program that is designed to kick-start the solar PV industry. Property owners can sell the energy they generate through a solar array mounted on their roof for as much as 80.2¢ per kWh for a 20-year period! The proposed Feed-In Tariff rates are as follows:

• <10 kW Solar PV system: 80.2¢ per kWh
• >10 - <250 kW solar PV system: 71.3¢ per kWh
• >250 - <500 kW solar PV system:63.5¢ per kWh
• >500 kW solar PV system: 53.9¢ per kWh

• Reduce the temperature of your home a few degrees at night and when you're away.
• Keep blinds, shades and drapes closed during the hottest part of the day in the summer. Open south-facing blinds on sunny winter days.
• Use area rugs on cold floors - if your feet are cold, your body will feel cold.
• If you feel cool, put on a sweater rather than turning up the thermostat.
• Clean or replace the air filter on your furnace every month to improve efficiency.
• To save more on central AC costs, try cooling your home to only 24 or 25°C instead of the low 20's. Each degree below 26°C will noticeably increase your electricity use.
• Insulate your hot water tank to keep heat from escaping. Don't forget to turn off the water heater when you are out of town, or use the vacation setting.
• Buy only energy efficient appliances.
• Turn off unnecessary lights, computers, TV's, radios, etc. when not in use.
• Fix leaky faucets - that little drip can add up to 95 litres of water per faucet per month, and cost you 7 kWh per month.
• Installing low flow aerators on faucets can save water and energy.
• Drain a pail of water from your natural gas hot water tank every 3 months, or as recommended by the manufacturer, to remove sediment that prevents heat transfer, lowering the unit's efficiency.
• Don't overfill your refrigerator, as this blocks air circulation. Conversely, a full freezer will perform better than an empty one.
• Check your refrigerator's door seal by closing the door on a $5 bill. If it's held tightly in place, the seal is OK; if not, the door should be adjusted or the seal replaced.
• Clean your refrigerator's coil (back) and air intake grill (below the doors) every 3 months.
• Keep refrigerators and freezers out of direct sunlight, and allow at least 5 centimetres all around (or as recommended by the manufacturer) to allow heat to escape from the compressor and condensing coil.
• Allow hot foods to cool before putting them in the refrigerator.
• Use an electric kettle to boil water - not the stove, which is less efficient
• Turn off the oven just before finishing - the oven will remain hot long enough to complete the cooking.
• Don't use a bigger pot than you need, and match it to the right size element.
• For smaller cooking jobs, use smaller appliances (i.e., electric kettle, toaster oven or microwave). Microwave ovens use up to 75% less energy than a stove or oven.
• Don't waste hot water by pre-rinsing dishes before putting them into the dishwasher. Scrape off food and empty liquids.
• Air dry your dishes. You can save 10% of the cost of the operation.
• Check and clean drains and filters regularly to ensure efficient operation.
• Run full loads in your washing machine whenever possible, but don't overload the machines.
• Wash your clothes in cold or warm water. 85-90% of the energy used by washing machines is for heating the water. You can save a lot of energy by lowering the water temperature.
• Make sure clothes are effectively wrung out before putting them in the dryer. Front-loading washers are the best at squeezing the water out.
• Separate loads into heavy, medium and lightweight items. Lighter loads will take less drying time than a mixture of items.
• Dry consecutive loads to utilize otherwise wasted heat from the dryer.
• Clean the lint filter after every load. A clogged lint filter can increase energy use up to 30%, and may be a fire hazard.
• Consider using a clothesline to dry your laundry.
• Be sure to shut off your computers monitor when you power down, as 60% of the power used by a computer is used by the monitor. The other 40% is used to power your hard drive and to power the electronics.
• Put your home entertainment systems on a power bar and turn off the bar when you are not using them.
• Unplug infrequently used TVs, as many continue to draw power even when turned off.
• Put swimming pool pumps on a timer, or run them only a few hours a day. Keep the filter clean for greater efficiency. Solar pool heaters (roughly $3,000 to $5,000) can be a cost-effective purchase when you add together the equipment, installation and fuel costs for a traditional heater.
• You can lower overall energy demand by concentrating bright light where you need it rather than evenly lighting the entire room - this is called 'task lighting'.
• Opening your blinds is a free way to brighten up a room.
• For any light that must be on all night (e.g., stairways), replace the bulbs with the lowest wattage bulbs that you're comfortable with or consider a compact fluorescent or a nightlight.
• Decorate your home with illumination in mind - lighter colours reflect light, so use them in areas you want to be bright.
• Keep light fixtures clean - a cleaner bulb is a brighter bulb.