We’ve compiled a list of our most commonly asked questions around solar power. We aim to provide non biased answers that focus on the homeowner’s best interests when selecting solar equipment and a solar installation provider.
How do solar panels work?
Energy from the sun is transferred by the panels into DC power by small photovoltaic cells. The DC power is then converted to AC power and connected to an energy source, such as your electrical panel. There are two main types of solar installations: grid tied and off-grid.
Is solar power a good investment?
Solar installations in Nova Scotia typically result in a 10% annual rate of return or more. It’s a great financial investment as well as an investment for the future of our planet.
What is the cost of solar?
We are always happy to provide a free quote. Every system is different and designed to your budget and needs. To accurately compare quotes, the total system cost should be viewed as the price per watt DC after HST and rebates applied (including any additional costs).
How many solar panels do I need?
There are a lot of factors which determine how many solar panels you will need. Roof or ground space, pitch, roof material, orientation of system, shadowing or obstructions and historical electrical usage. For instance, if you use 10,000 kWh in a year, then your solar system cannot produce more than 10,000 kWh in a year. Most homes average between 18-30 solar panels to achieve net zero. We design each system to match your budget and requirements.
What rebates are available for solar in Nova Scotia?
To see current rebates for solar and their programs please checkout our rebates page.
If the power goes out, do solar panels still provide my home with electricity?
A grid tied system relies on power coming in from the grid in order to produce electricity. If there is a power outage, a grid-tied solar system will not work without a backup (battery, etc) system in place. If you’re interested in this option we can offer a solution for various types of backup power. Please contact us for more information.
Where is Molen Services head office?
We are located in Dartmouth, NS and are 100% local to Nova Scotia. We started our business here in 2013 and have 100% local ownership as well. We also have a US branch based in Austin, TX.
What areas do you service?
We currently install solar anywhere in the province of Nova Scotia.
What warranties and solar products should I be looking for?
We only install products with a full 25 year warranty including: solar panels, racking and micro-inverters. We offer a 5 year workmanship warranty on any installation.
Which solar panels do you recommend?
Any solar panel which has a Tier 1 rating is a safe bet. Tier 1 status means the panel manufacturer is in good standing, with large financial backing and quality assurance on their product. It is also important to consider efficiency, degradation, and warranty of the panels. A balance of quality, performance and price is the key in selecting a great panel. We only install panels with a 25 year warranty which are Tier 1.
What kind of solar inverters do you recommend?
There are two main types of solar inverters: string and micro-inverters. When it comes to rooftop residential solar, we exclusively use micro-inverters. String inverters are suitable for commercial and industrial applications.
Advantages of micro-inverters:
- are easy to install, replace, troubleshoot and maintain
- have a 25 year warranty and are proven to be more reliable
- includes a free monitoring App for life which shows the system production per panel and overall performance.This App will provide a fun way to see your savings over time and is a helpful tool for the installer and homeowner
- are independent of each other, so if one part of the system fails or a panel is shaded, the rest of the solar panels will keep running without affecting production
- are installed under the solar panels, so provide a very clean overall aesthetic
How does the Enhanced Net Metering Program work? What happens to my power bill after we install solar?
Currently, in Nova Scotia, if you have a grid-tied solar system then your regular power meter will be changed with a bi-directional meter. The meter will spin backwards and count excess power produced from your solar system. This shows up as a credit on your power bill. Your power bill then has a charge for usage and a credit for solar production. The difference will carry over to the next power bill. Once a year, a “true up” period happens where any unused credit can be issued as a cheque from NSPI to the homeowner. To learn more, visit Nova Scotia Power’s website about Enhanced Net Metering.
Why do companies need a copy of my power bill?
All solar companies will need your power bill to see your historical usage in order to design a system appropriately. The Enhanced Net Metering Program only allows a system to be up to 100% of your historical usage (total kWh for the year).
How do you secure a solar system to a roof and what products are best at preventing leaks?
This is one of the most important yet overlooked parts of a solar system. When considering the long term life of your roof, we want to be confident that the product used is well tested and water tight. A product should not rely on guesswork during installation (like locating the centre of a roof truss). That’s why we currently use either a Talon or RT-mini for attachments to an asphalt roof or corruslide or S-5 clamps for a metal roof. Also, we would never recommend using PVC strapping directly on a roof when installing electrical cable runs. By doing so, you are introducing new areas for water to enter over the lifetime of your installation and is not best practice in the industry.
When should I replace my roof and what happens when the solar system is on there?
We generally recommend replacing your roof shingles if they are over 10 years before installing a new solar system. The solar system is warrantied for 25 years so it is best to have the roof and and solar system's life span line up to avoid added costs of removal of panels to replace shingles. However, by adding solar panels over your roof, it adds a layer of UV protection and will increase your roof's life expectancy.
Can I use a generator and solar at the same time?
The short answer is no. It can be very dangerous to run two competing generating sources on the same circuit. It is important to isolate your solar system when running a generator either through a manual switch or ATS (automatic transfer switch).
Is it difficult to get solar added to your home insurance policy?
No. Many insurance companies understand solar and in some cases little to no annual increases are added to your overall premium.