One Take on the Solar Feed-in-Tariff Rate Drop

April 3rd, 2012 by

Imagine this scenario:

I heard today that I can buy solar panels for my roof and get a guaranteed rate of return of 8-12% per year for 20 years. I thought, where else can I get guaranteed rates that high? GICs are guaranteed but my interest is 2%. Ok, what about my less secure investments? I guess it’s possible that I could get 7% interest on my mutual funds if I pull them out at the right time. It’s a much bigger investment, but I could buy an investment property. But getting 8-12% appreciation per year is very optimistic, not to mention dealing with tenants. Is it possible that these solar panels are the best investment I can make? (more…)

Posted in Ontario, Photovoltaics

SkyFire Energy in Cottage Country

March 28th, 2012 by

It has been a long time coming, but Jeff Smalley has returned to his Central Ontario roots after honing his solar skills in Canada’s New West.

SkyFire Energy has just announced the opening of a second Ontario office in the heart of cottage country. Jeff will be the local project manager in the new service area and is looking forward to checking out your farm, home, cottage or business. SkyFire Energy – Central Ontario will be conducting Site Assessments in Muskoka, Simcoe County, Georgian Bay, the Kawartha Lakes and beyond.   Gravenhurst, Huntsville, Midland, Barrie, Orillia, Bracebridge, Wasaga, Georgian Bay, Simcoe, and Haliburton are a few of the communities we will be serving from this location. (more…)

Posted in Ontario

The “Need to Know” on the microFIT and FIT Solar Review

March 27th, 2012 by

Last week, Ontario’s much anticipated Review of the Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) program was released. The program has been renewed and we are very excited about that! The most crucial change that we wanted to know was how much the rates would be reduced. A reduction was very much expected, and is a common element of a Feed-in-Tariffs around the world. We have our answer. microFITs have taken a big cut, but perhaps justifiably. With the new rate, they still earn between 8 and 12% annual return! (more…)

Posted in Ontario

Snow and Grid Tied Solar Electric System Production

March 11th, 2012 by

Canadian winters are synonymous with snow so it is important that consideration be given for the effects of snow on winter and year round energy production from solar electric and solar thermal systems.  Although clearing the snow from a solar array can help you squeeze a few more kiloWatt-hours (kWh) from your solar PV system, this blog entry will hopefully prove to you that this isn’t worth the hassle or the risk!  We do not recommend that any of our customers get up on their roof to clear the solar modules (panels) of snow during the winter months – this is extremely dangerous and not necessary. (more…)

Posted in Ontario, Photovoltaics, Western Canada

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