Ontario's extensive landscapes and seasons experience sufficient sunshine to harness solar energy. Solar adoption is on the rise thanks to amazing grants, technology, and awareness. Well, benefits like using clean energy, receiving low bills and improving energy solutions are great.
You can use these grants to minimize the upfront costs if you are eligible. To assist you, here is everything about Solar Grant Ontario and more.
Benefits of Installing Solar Panels in Ontario
Solar panels are becoming popular for homeowners and commercial spaces due to their numerous advantages. Some of its main benefits are:
Environmental Benefits
The solar panels having solar cells absorb the sun's energy and convert it into electricity. This process uses the ultimate source of renewable energy, the sun, which is always there. This means there is no greenhouse emission and a lower carbon footprint. Also, the sun is out there for everyone, and we are not stressing the environment or depleting its resources.
The simple setup captures sun energy and converts it to usable energy at home, which cuts all the middle processes performed while drawing energy from the traditional grid. This makes your solutions and house more eco-friendly, sustainable and good for the environment. In the age of modernization, progressing while considering what is best for the environment in need of the hour. Therefore, people are opting for solar solutions.
Low Bills
One of the biggest advantages of solar solutions is that you will receive no bills once it's set up. It uses free and renewable sun's energy to generate electricity. You become energy-sufficient and independent with these solutions. Also, there are no operating costs or bills. This means no bills for a lifetime. Although it may have high upfront costs, it's covered with its lifetime services.
Energy Independence
You may have three types of systems: Off-grid, which completely relies on solar solutions. A Grid-tied system is connected to both solar solutions and the grid. When solar solutions are exhausted, you can draw energy from the grid. Also, you can sell extra power to the grid in this system.
Whatever the case, solar solutions practice energy independence. Moreover, with solar panels, you can pair a home battery solution to store the excess energy the solar panels create. When panels cannot generate electricity at night or on bad weather days, you can use them. You become self-sufficient with a connection to solar panels, home battery solutions, and other solutions. For example, you can add the BLUETTI EP500Pro Solar Power Station, which has a 5100Wh battery capacity and a 3000W pure sine wave output inverter. It stores solar energy to power your home anytime.
Increased Home Value
One of the other most crucial advantages of solar panel installation is that it boosts your property's value. The houses with solar panels sell fast and at higher prices. These luxurious, self-sufficient and incredible solutions are a great addition to skyrocket your house's value.
Moreover, solar panel installation gives great satisfaction to anyone using it. Harnessing the sun's energy to power your appliance means being sustainable, getting lower bills and changing according to the time.
Solar Grant and Solar Incentives for 2024
Here are some grant and solar incentives for 2024:
Net Metering
Net metering is a very smart and beneficial program. It allows the users to sell excess electricity back to the grid. This helps you offset the cost of the electricity bills. In Ontario, residential, commercial, and industrial customers having solar solutions can avail of these programs.
If you direct the access electricity generated to the grid, you will be credited for the excess electricity on their next bill. Moreover, if homeowners deliver more electricity than they use monthly, they acquire credit toward future electricity bills.
Eligibility:
- It would be best to have eligible renewable energy solutions such as solar panels.
- You should have a bi-directional meter installed by a local utility company, which signifies the use of energy and energy sent back to the grid.
Solar Incentives
There are so many solar incentives for the Ontario people. These are offered to boost solar installation, reduce upfront costs, and aid the overall cause. Some of these incentives are:
Canada Greener Homes Grant: It falls between $125 – $5,000, which is given for renewable energy systems, heat pumps, and insulation which boost energy efficiency. These installations are best for the environment and budget. It may not protect the solar system installation cost, but it's ample for starting.
Canada Greener Homes Interest-Free Loan: The Canadian government is offering loans of $40,000 for homeowners to add complete solar solutions. You can pay back this with no interest. Also, you can pay back this easily when you receive zero bills for years.
The PACE Program (Ottawa and Guelph): Ottawa is in the testing phase, considering loans for home energy efficiency upgrades. This may include:
- Installation of solar panels for a duration of up to three years.
- You can pay zero-interest loans of up to $125,000.
- The loan can be 10% of the home's present value estimation.
- The loan program is a 20-year loan with no interest.
- The smallest loan can be $15,000.
Federal Tax Cuts: These are refundable tax credits for businesses from the Government of Canada for those who want to welcome solar panels. This tax credit is 30% of the total cost of installing a solar power system up to 2032. After 2032, the credit will reduce and finally fade out in 2035.
Eligibility Criteria and Grant Application Process
The best part is that most Ontario homeowners and businesses qualify for these benefits. Some eligibility factors that may be considered are property type, location, and the extent of your intended solar project.
Moreover, the Canada Greener Homes Grant program extends eligibility for energy-efficient upgrades or retrofits. So, connect with a professional near you to know about all the current incentives, eligibility and more.
6 Steps to Going Solar in Ontario
Here are six steps for going solar in Ontario:
Step 1: Consider Your Energy Needs
Before choosing the solar solution, having solar panels or a backup system, you should know the energy usage. You can check your utility bills to find it. Also, find out the power output by checking the wattage requirements for all the appliances.
Plus, factors like the size of your home, the direction it faces, and the sunlight in your area are also crucial. The usage times of appliances and family members play a great role.
So, ensure these steps before choosing the solar panels:
- Calculate the output requirement of the home.
- The energy needs of the house.
- The type of appliances, number of family members and running time
- Also, consider the sunlight hours, location, etc.
You can call in experts to determine your present and potential energy needs. Also, you can welcome a complete kit of BLUETTI AC200MAX + 2*B230 + 3*PV200 Solar Generator Kit, which has solar panels, expandable battery options and great flexible features. It's best for powering home energy needs.
Step 2: Choose Your Solar Panel System
According to your energy needs, choose the types, number and wattage of solar panels. For example, this BLUETTI PV200 Solar Panel features 200W monocrystalline solar cells with up to 23.4% efficiency. The monocrystalline solar cells have the best efficiency, use less space and run for years.
Also, the solar panel can be grid-tied, off-grid or hybrid, according to your choice. So, look for higher efficiency, flexibility and compatibility with backup solutions.
Step 3: Get Permits and Approvals
Here are some steps to take for permits and approvals:
- Check the municipal bylaws of your area.
- Submit the licenses and consents.
- Get permission from the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA).
- Then, submit a connection application to your local utility company.
- Ensure inspection of the area.
Step 4:Solar Panel Installation
For a successful solar installation, you need solar panels, an inverter for converting DC to AC, charge controllers, wirings and backup solutions. You should call a professional to discuss the areas, tilt angle and all the components.
Step 5: Connect Your System to the Grid
Finally, get a connection to the grid. For this, you may need permission from the local utility company. Also, they will install a bi-directional meter to know energy usage and what's going back to the grid. Finally, they will connect the solutions to the electrical panel.
Step 6: Monitor and Maintain Your System
After following all the protocols, you can harness the solar solutions. However, for the good and long life of this system, you should ensure some tips:
- Always clean the solar panels, as they can accumulate dust, dirt and debris. You can use water and cloth to clean it gently.
- Inspect the wirings of the system.
- Always check the elevations and tilt angles.
- You can opt for sunshine enhancers(mirrors, etc) to maximize the potential.
- Trim the tree branches to avoid shading, and care for pests near the solar panels.
- Ensure time-to-time professional maintenance.
- Always follow the user guidelines.
Final Words
The solar grants for Ontario are amazing and can greatly reduce the upfront cost of solar panels. You should contact a professional to know about all the rules and regulations in the area. This will help you avail benefits, add solar panels and use it to revolutionize your home energy needs. With the right panels and backup system, you can access clean energy 24/7. So, welcome clean energy, sustainability, and low bills and raise your home value with this amazing addition.
