2023-09-09 04:00:00
It is not easy to achieve self-sufficiency with Hydro-Québec, but it is possible if you have a mix of energy sources for your home and you invest in photovoltaic solar energy.
Solar photovoltaic energy refers to energy harvested and transformed directly into electricity from sunlight by photovoltaic panels. A solar panel converts solar energy into heat. It can be used to have domestic hot water and for certain cases of domestic heating.
50 to 60%
Heating represents 50 to 60% of a home’s energy consumption.
Heating represents 50% to 60% of a home’s energy consumption. However, you should not expect to only heat a code house with this system, built according to the Quebec Construction Code which defines the minimum insulation and airtightness standards.
Leonidas – stock.adobe.com
“Solar panels would be three times the size of the roof to heat a standard house,” says Emmanuel Cosgrove, director of the Écohabitation organization, a reference in sustainable housing in Quebec. It would cost $200,000 of the cost of purchasing the solar equipment, which would never pay for itself.”
Listen to Yves Daoust’s economic segment via
QUB radio :
1. Have different systems
It is therefore better to have several complementary systems. Jean-Pierre Desjardins, who was a lecturer for 30 years on the certificate in sustainable energy resources at the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM), wants to warn people. “We will be left to our own devices to produce electricity if we decide to live independently [pas branché sur Hydro-Québec]”, says Mr. Desjardins, also mentioning that large equipment such as a dryer and a stove can run on propane in a house independently, with a mix of energy.
Independent consumers can also have a wood stove for heating.
“However, we might think of solar energy for hot water with a tank that consumes little, with consumption habits that are low,” also affirms Mr. Desjardins.
The latter adds that there is also a solar water heater technology equipped with solar thermal sensors that are more efficient than photovoltaic solar.
“There are grants for this, but they are not very generous. It seems that solar water heaters have disappeared because the profitability is very long term. »
– Jean-Pierre Desjardins, former lecturer in sustainable energy resources at the University of Quebec in Montreal
Photo PHOTO PROVIDED BY JEAN-PIERRE DESJARDINS
2. Carefully assess your needs
You need to know your expected energy consumption in kilowatt hours (kWh) if you want to embark on the adventure of autonomy. This makes it possible to determine how many kilowatts (kW) of solar panels and how many kWh of batteries we will need, according to Mike Perrault, president of Rematek Énergie, a distributor that sells equipment to companies that make autonomous solar installations.
Rematek Énergie has also developed software that allows the installer to use the expected personal consumption to determine how many solar panels and batteries are needed. The Hydro-Québec website can also provide information on electricity consumption.
The installers will therefore record the information and guide the customer in sizing the system, which will include the number and type of solar panels, support system, inverters, batteries, charge controllers, as well as the types and sizes cables and protection elements for the current you will generate, etc. (See table below)
“People don’t often buy standard kits, because needs vary from one person to another,” explains Mike Perrault. And the budget also varies a lot from one person to another.”
Typically, someone who is not connected to Hydro and wants to operate independently might pay, on average, $30,000 for solar equipment with batteries.
“We can talk regarding profitability if it costs, say, $20,000 or more to bring Hydro-Québec to your home,” explains Mr. Perrault. It’s better to pay $30,000 and have free electricity for the rest of our lives. »
– Mike Perrault, president of Rematek Énergie
Photo Photo provided by Mike Perrault
3. Subsidies
The federal government is also offering up to $5,000 for the installation of photovoltaic panels in the residential sector.
The gateway to access this assistance, in Quebec, is the Rénoclimat program.
There is also the Canada Greener Homes Loan which offers interest-free financing.
Eligibility criteria for subsidy of a solar photovoltaic system:
All equipment must be purchased in Canada. Online purchases are only eligible if made from a distributor located in Canada. The system must consist of one or more photovoltaic (PV) solar panels and one or more inverters (if required) certified to CSA standards. The total peak power of the system (the maximum power a solar panel can deliver electricity) must be equal to or greater than 1.0 kW DC.
If you decide to implement your own renovations, note that personal labor costs are not eligible for a grant.
4. Insurance
Line Crevier, manager of technical affairs at the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), which makes insurance policy models available to insurers, mentions that it is important to talk to our insurer regarding our solar photovoltaic system.
“There are no types of insurance for solar energy to my knowledge, but it is part of the risk assessment,” explained Ms. Crevier, who adds that 80% of insurers follow the BAC models. It’s part of the building, so it will be insured with the house.”
Ms. Crevier warns that the insurer might request confirmation that the photovoltaic solar system was installed by a professional to properly prevent risks.
The BAC adds that mixed power sources must also be communicated to the insurer.
“A solar or electric system does not represent the same risk as heating with wood or oil [enjeu de déversement, de fuite] or natural gas, adds Ms. Crevier. All information enabling an insurer to assess the risk and price it must be declared.”
The photovoltaic solar system:
INFOGRAPHICS LE JOURNAL / SOURCE ADOBE STOCK
Module : converts the sun’s energy into electric current.
Support system : serves to place and physically support the modules at an optimal angle to maximize energy production.
charge controller : converts electrical current from one or more series of modules to a bank of batteries at the correct voltage. Protects battery health.
Battery : stores energy temporarily so that it can be used at another time.
Inverter : converts direct current from batteries into alternating current for use by household appliances.
Cables : are used to interconnect all the elements above.
Protective elements : are used to protect all the elements above in the event of a short circuit or overvoltage caused by lightning.
SOURCE: REMATEK ENERGY
Snow removal from solar panels
Patrick Goulet, president of the Énergie Solaire Québec organization, which lists solar energy installers and consultants in Quebec, estimates that the loss of production of solar panels linked to snow is less than 5%.
“Snow on the panels is not an issue, you should not think that everything stops in winter, that would not be true,” says Mr. Goulet, who adds that the loss of production is less than 2% when you are close to Montreal, in the context of climate change.
“It becomes an issue if it’s been a week since it’s been sunny and it starts to snow,” he adds. There, you better remove the snow.”
Mr. Goulet therefore advises clearing snow gently with a roof shovel. The latter also added that the panels are activated when the snow is removed and they become exposed to light. “They will therefore release a little heat which makes the snow slide,” he explains.
1694245710
#Bye #bye #Hydro #disconnecting #HydroQuébec
