How is the Solar Array system protected from snow and harsh winter weather in Ontario?
The Solar Panel was designed to withstand the harsh elements of the German climate, very similar to Canada if not worse. There is a 4mm thick protective shield covering the cells in the panel that will withstand harsh winter elements such as hail.
Snow buildup is an issue in the middle of winter, but only at night. The panels in daylight (solar radiation) will be 20° C warmer than the temperature affecting them. Therefore majority of snow will melt right off the panels during the day. If it does snow at night Pure Luminescence Inc. offers coverage through our Extended Service Plans to get your panels cleaned off and working at full potential.
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How does the Solar Array system effect insurance on my house and/or business?
The solar array will not affect the insurance as a risk. There may consider it as a fixed asset upgrade to a house or something else. The best thing to do would be to contact your insurance agent and get their opinion on the subject.
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Is it possible to offset my own power instead? Is it possible to go completely off-grid?
It is possible to offset your own power through ‘net metering.’ This process simply runs your meter in reverse so you provide the Solar Array’s production to the grid and pay for what you consume extra. This is an option but at Pure Luminescence Inc. we want our customer to receive the maximum return on their investment.
The LDC (Local Distribution Company) charges a rate of $0.08 – $0.12 per kWh, depending on location, for the consumption of energy. The OPA (Ontario Power Authority) grants a rate of $0.802 per kWh produced. Therefore it would be more beneficial to our customers to be paid the $0.802 per kWh produced then save the $0.08 – $0.12 per kWh.
It is also possible to go completely Off-Grid. Again Pure Luminescence Inc. recommends the solution with the highest return on investment for our customer. Off-Grid solutions are involved and expensive projects. Pure Luminescence Inc. recommends that Off-Grid systems should be installed out of necessity in remote locations that may not have access to an electrical distribution system. Pure Luminescence Inc. respects your wishes and will set up your solution to your specifications.
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What if the roof requires maintenance such as re-shingling?
Even though the most damaging thing for a roof is UV rays, which the Solar Array will protect from, other parts of the roof may deteriorate. Pure Luminescence Inc. realizes and understands the need for re-shingling or re-tiling of the roof surface over a 20 year period. Pure Luminescence Inc. will be available to make all the arrangements to disassemble the Solar Array, allow the roof work to be completed and then reinstall the system as soon as possible. This will be an inexpensive and quick venture so the customer will lose the least amount of production from the Solar Array.
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Is Solar Energy reliable?
Solar power is a predictable energy source. Even though Solar Energy is not available all the time, predictions can be accurate to a very good degree when it will and will not be available.
Photovoltaic Cells (PV), used in our solar panels, are components that convert light into electric current using the photoelectric effect. Solar Energy has been around since the 1880’s when the first Solar Cell was constructed. In 1954 the first Silicon Solar Cell was released. Since then there have been some monumental developments in the industry world using these same fundamentals. Solar was and still is being used for satellites, power stations, small to large businesses, and residential properties to generate energy for our planet.
Solar has been around for a long period of time and is merging and combining technologies with other renewable and/or sustainable energy sources to create even more efficient renewable resources; Solar Energy is here to stay.
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What is the impact of a solar array on my roof?
During installation our qualified installers at Pure Luminescence Inc. will take every precaution towards your property and treat it with the upmost care. On a residential application the racking is fastened to the roof every 24inchs with self sealing anchors. The mounts are coated with silicon before being placed on the roof surface to ensure leak protection. After the racking is fastened down a vacuum sealed cover is placed over the point of contact with the roof. The covers are aesthetically pleasing and provide even more protection from leaks. The racking is lightweight aluminum free from rust.
The commercial ballasted racking systems are placed on your roof flat. Any gravel or stone will be swept away prior installation and then returned post installation. The panels will be weighted down by xlbs of force, depending on the location and orientation of the system, to ensure sufficient stabilization of the system. The racking is made of aluminum.
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What is involved in the installation?How long can I expect the install to take?
At Pure Luminescence Inc. we strive for the installation of the project to be as professional, clean, aesthetically pleasing, and efficient as possible. Pure Luminescence Inc. will make recommendations, but will cater to your needs at all times. During installation our qualified installers at Pure Luminescence Inc. will take every precaution towards your property and treat it with the upmost care. On a residential application the racking is fastened to the roof every 24inchs with self sealing anchors. The mounts are coated with silicon before being placed on the roof surface to ensure leak protection. After the racking is fastened down a vacuum sealed cover is placed over the point of contact with the roof. The covers are aesthetically pleasing and provide even more protection from leaks. The racking is lightweight aluminum free from rust.
There will be a separate meter installed beside your current one to allow the LDC (Local Distribution Company) to measure the output of the Solar Array system. A line will also be run to the electrical panel in the house.
The commercial ballasted racking systems are placed on your roof flat. Any gravel or stone will be swept away prior installation and then returned post installation. The panels will be weighted down by xlbs of force, depending on the location and orientation of the system, to ensure sufficient stabilization of the system. The racking is made of There will be a separate meter installed beside your current one to allow the LDC (Local Distribution Company) to measure the output of the Solar Array system. A line will also be run to the electrical panel in the house.
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Is there an approval period on the government programs?
Pure Luminescence Inc. guides our customers through every stage of the installation process which includes applying for all the government incentives and programs. The FIT (Feed-In-Tariff) program has an involved process which could take months, whereas the microFIT (10 kW and under) has a 30 day approval period.
The ecoEnergy Audit program must be conducted prior to the initiation of the job. Pure Luminescence Inc. will advise you on the process of having an audit done on your business, but does not cover any fees to have the audit conducted.
The RST (Retail Sales Tax) rebate and the HRTC (Home Renovation Tax Credit) can be claimed for after the installation is completed. Pure Luminescence Inc. will advise you on the process of receiving these rebates, but does not cover any fees.
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What happens if I want to sell my house within the 20 years?
Pure Luminescence Inc. realizes that 20 years is a substantial period of time and that homeowners may want to move on, change, upgrade or downsize. The FIT (Feed-In-Tariff) program contract is breakable only by the producer of the resource. This means at anytime you can back out of the contract and remove the panels. The contract unfortunately is non transferable. This means that you cannot break the connection at one location, install it at another and then continue the contract. Once the connection is broken, so is the contract.
This gives you the option of either disconnecting the panels and taking the system to the new location and having them reinstalled their or selling the system as an asset to the new owners driving up the price of your property.
Pure Luminescence Inc. will assist you in any way possible to make the right decision to maximize your return on investment.
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Do I lose power in the winter? Or when the weather is cloudy?
The panel’s efficiency is affected by temperature and direct sunlight. Of course the panels will produce more energy with direct sunlight, but they run on Solar Radiation meaning that as long as there is daylight, the panels will be producing power. The panel’s work their best at cooler temperature. This means that on a bright winter day, you would actually produce more than on a bright summer day.
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How can I finance the system?
Pure Luminescence Inc. offers several ways to finance the Solar Array system. We use Canadian Small Business Finance Loans and Lease programs. Pure Luminescence Inc. will tailor these programs to best fit your financial needs.
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What if my system gets hit by lightning?
Believe it or not, Lightning is not a big issue. Our panels and racking are mounted flat on the roof and do not attract lightning. It’s almost guaranteed that you will have an object (chimney, ventilation, etc.) that is taller than the Solar Array system.
Pure Luminescence Inc. has selected superior products for your system. This includes a 6MV surge test that passes 6000 Volts through one inverter. This test is conducted at 2MV as an industry standard. Another advantage is that if by chance it does get hit, the surge will be divided by all the inverters providing sufficient distribution of the surge to better protect your system. A string inverter would take the entirety of the impact and have a much more likely chance of malfunction.
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What if the panels are blown off the roof due to weather?
There is a better chance of your entire house getting blown away then the panels getting ripped off. The panels are designed and tested to withstand winds over 100mph. The design is tailored to accommodate sufficient wind flow through the panels without an updraft that may cause lifting.
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