jgriffin
New Member
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2021
- Messages
- 46
I’m just about to apply for the Canada Greener Homes Loan. I’m 100% an over-thinker, so just seeing what people think of this for a setup:
Panels: Pallet of 30-480 watt Bi-directional Q.Cells Duo. These seem massive to work with! I don’t love the short wires, but can make due.
Mounts: Unirac RM10 or similar ballast ground mount (I know it limits the back side of the panels, but we have 90 kt N or NE wind gusts a few times every winter. I’m also on ledge about a foot down, we lose roof shingles every winter).
Mount will be about 100’ from meter entrance (some trees will have to go), haven’t calculated losses yet, just seems like the most practical place to put it. I will balance each array, but haven’t quite figured out details on each string configuration yet. Anything different to go by with bi-facials vs regular?
Inverter: Was thinking I’d be happy enough with the Fronius 15.0 Primo, but I can’t get the Sol-Ark 15k out of my mind. My local utility is not ok with the MPP Solar LVX6048WP, which is what I initially wanted, but they are wanting CSA 22.2 directly from manufacturer, not a third party. I encourage anyone in Canada to check with their utility first to find out what works for them, it should be compatible in most provinces. Fronius I’m giving up some features to both of those units, mostly battery, and the Sol-Ark fits every scenario I can see myself getting into. 200A pass through is very intriguing!
I think any attempt at “pressure treated” lumber for ground mount will cost me just as much as the unirac. All we have up this way is the brown treated stuff, green hasn’t been available for a few years now. You cut into it, and you can tell it’s really soft and on the verge of rot to begin with. It would, however, be kinda neat to try a wooden version of an rm10 to customize tilt angle.
The area has a varying amount of slope already, so the extra 10 would put me close to optimal fixed angle, and keep some wind from hitting the back of the panels. Hoping a ballast mount will still work on an unlevelled area.
I also realize the roof is prime angle and direction, and right at the meter entrance location, but we do have intentions of making an apartment unit there to help offset the mortgage, and the potential for a leak is high. We are a coastal area with driving rain in all directions. Our chimney has been an ongoing battle enough, as well as the bottom of our patio doors, some windows, anywhere it's a possibility. I just feel that many penetrations in the roof, although it has the potential to be sealed properly, is never 100%.
Anything else I should consider I’m game with hearing. The Canada Greener Homes Loan is a 10 year interest-free loan. My home already identified Solar as one of the areas to improve, and we’re currently in the mid 30,000 kWh a year territory. If this gets me 1/3 to half of that, I’m happy. I think I’d be ok with a couple more years of ROI for all the features the Sol-Ark can provide. I’d also be getting $2800 back provincially and $5700 federally.
Will post property pictures later, my 1 year old is being kind of a dink. So am I for being on my phone I suppose. ?
Thanks!
Panels: Pallet of 30-480 watt Bi-directional Q.Cells Duo. These seem massive to work with! I don’t love the short wires, but can make due.
Mounts: Unirac RM10 or similar ballast ground mount (I know it limits the back side of the panels, but we have 90 kt N or NE wind gusts a few times every winter. I’m also on ledge about a foot down, we lose roof shingles every winter).
Mount will be about 100’ from meter entrance (some trees will have to go), haven’t calculated losses yet, just seems like the most practical place to put it. I will balance each array, but haven’t quite figured out details on each string configuration yet. Anything different to go by with bi-facials vs regular?
Inverter: Was thinking I’d be happy enough with the Fronius 15.0 Primo, but I can’t get the Sol-Ark 15k out of my mind. My local utility is not ok with the MPP Solar LVX6048WP, which is what I initially wanted, but they are wanting CSA 22.2 directly from manufacturer, not a third party. I encourage anyone in Canada to check with their utility first to find out what works for them, it should be compatible in most provinces. Fronius I’m giving up some features to both of those units, mostly battery, and the Sol-Ark fits every scenario I can see myself getting into. 200A pass through is very intriguing!
I think any attempt at “pressure treated” lumber for ground mount will cost me just as much as the unirac. All we have up this way is the brown treated stuff, green hasn’t been available for a few years now. You cut into it, and you can tell it’s really soft and on the verge of rot to begin with. It would, however, be kinda neat to try a wooden version of an rm10 to customize tilt angle.
The area has a varying amount of slope already, so the extra 10 would put me close to optimal fixed angle, and keep some wind from hitting the back of the panels. Hoping a ballast mount will still work on an unlevelled area.
I also realize the roof is prime angle and direction, and right at the meter entrance location, but we do have intentions of making an apartment unit there to help offset the mortgage, and the potential for a leak is high. We are a coastal area with driving rain in all directions. Our chimney has been an ongoing battle enough, as well as the bottom of our patio doors, some windows, anywhere it's a possibility. I just feel that many penetrations in the roof, although it has the potential to be sealed properly, is never 100%.
Anything else I should consider I’m game with hearing. The Canada Greener Homes Loan is a 10 year interest-free loan. My home already identified Solar as one of the areas to improve, and we’re currently in the mid 30,000 kWh a year territory. If this gets me 1/3 to half of that, I’m happy. I think I’d be ok with a couple more years of ROI for all the features the Sol-Ark can provide. I’d also be getting $2800 back provincially and $5700 federally.
Will post property pictures later, my 1 year old is being kind of a dink. So am I for being on my phone I suppose. ?
Thanks!
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