Residential solar systems generate clean, renewable electricity for your home, reducing your utility bills for years to come. Among the advantages associated with such systems are: low maintenance; pollution free electricity generation; safe, reliable, and noise-free operation.

The technology involves the use of photovoltaic cells, mounted on panels, which directly convert sunlight into electrical energy. The energy generated can either be used immediately, or stored in batteries for later use. Depending upon the type of installation, excess electricity produced can be sold to the local power utility. PV energy can be used, among other things, to supply power for lights, radios, televisions, pumps and other appliances in cottages and residences. It can also be used to power portable devices, such as laptop computers.

The following information is illustrative of the costs and benefits associated with a residential solar PV installation. Actual results depend on a variety of factors, including: the specific geographic location, climate, the direction the roof is facing, obstructions to sunlight, the type of PV panels installed, and whether or not tax incentives and/or rebates exist.

Source: Natural Resources Canada, RETScreen International

The following case study involves the installation of several solar collectors, encompassing an area of 6.6 square meters (71 sq. ft), at a residence located in Vancouver, British Columbia. The home has 3 occupants, and utilizes 180 liters/day of hot water, at a temperature of 60C, seven days a week. The equipment is purchased outright, rather than debt financed.

Source: Natural Resources Canada, RETScreen International

The following case study involves the installation of a 335 square meter transpired plate solar air heating system in an apartment building in Windsor, Ontario. The fuel type used for conventional heating is Natural Gas. The equipment is purchased outright, rather than debt financed.

Source: Natural Resources Canada, RETScreen International

This system is intended to provide 35% of the total energy required to heat a 313 square meter (3,369 sq. ft.) swimming pool, and offset the cost and consumption of propane gas which the conventional heating system uses. The pool is used (and requires heating) over the period April to July.

Source: Natural Resources Canada, RETScreen International

Passive solar heating represents one of the most cost effective means of providing heat to buildings. Generally, the amount of Solar Energy that falls on the roof of a house is more than the total energy consumed within the house. Passsive solar applications, when included in initial building design, adds little or nothing to the cost of a building, yet has the effect of realizing a reduction in operational costs and reduced equipment demand. It is reliable, mechanically simple, and is a viable asset to a home.

Several passive solar heating system designs are available. Sunlight is converted into thermal energy either in a heat trapping space, or absorbed by thermal storage material for retransmission to the interior living space. Another approach involves heating air or liquid in a solar collector and transferring this heat through ducts or pipes via convection.

The results below reflect the installation of windows with a higher energy rating at a 550 square foot apartment property in Toronto, Ontario. A number of assumptions are made concerning the daily occupancy rate and the temperature settings when occupied and non-occupied.

Source: Natural Resources Canada, RETScreen International

How much you can save by replacing 10 conventional light bulbs with 10 CFLs:

The results below are based on an assumed electricity rate of $0.101 per Kilowatt hour (kWh), an average usage of 5 hours per day, and a price difference of $3.00 per bulb. The life-time hours associated with Energy Star certified bulbs was 12,000 hours and 1,000 hours for conventional bulbs.

These savings were calculated using a calculator developed by the U.S. EPA, and U.S. DOE. Actual energy savings may vary based on usage and other factors.