| The Great Solar Opportunity |
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Reliable Home Comfort believes energy efficiency is an important aspect to a successful solar power program. Undoubtedly, it is in this area that you can make the largest impact toward a more sustainable energy future. There are many simple and cost-effective measures that can be taken to use less energy with little or no affect on current lifestyles. Combined with a well-designed solar system, it can bring you that much closer to a zero-carbon footprint. A new solar system combined with a high-efficiency heating and cooling system can allow you to live comfortably all year for free.
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Consider the benefits of generating green energy from renewable sources such as the sun and selling it for a guaranteed price. A 20 Year Guaranteed Contract with the Government of Ontario, at 0.80 per kilowatt hour delivered, and a very attractive return on investment. The new MicroFIT program from the Government of Ontario is a program open to Ontario residents to receive payments for solar electricity generated on their properties and delivered to the utility. You can be part of Ontario’s growing green energy movement, make money and contribute to a cleaner environment.
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Reliable Home Comfort offers a turnkey solution to simplify the application and installation process. With competitive Financing Options for qualified buyers Reliable Home Comfort can show you how you can generate a very attractive return on investment. Considered to be a “Green GIC”, a properly installed system under the MicroFIT program can pay for itself in about 8 years and generate a double digit return on investment ( 12.5% ). For more information, contact us now to schedule a free in-home investment. Deal with a trusted source and call Reliable Home Comfort today to find out how you can take advantage of this truly great opportunity.
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| The What’s What Of the Solar System |
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Solar Photovoltaic (PV) energy systems use solar cells to convert light energy from the Sun into direct current (DC) electricity by taking advantage of a phenomenon known as the Photovoltaic Effect. The resulting power can be used directly (e.g., in a solar calculator), stored in batteries, or converted to alternating current (AC) for immediate use by a household or the electrical grid.
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Commercial solar panels (called ”modules”) are made up of a number of interconnected solar cells. Typically these cells are made of silicon sandwiched between a glass top and waterproof bottom, and framed in aluminum. Most commercially available solar modules can convert 10% to 18% of the available solar energy into usable electricity, but new technologies are achieving efficiencies as high as 40% or more in the laboratory.
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Solar modules’ power output is measured in DC Watts (W), with a kilowatt (kW) being equal to 1000 W. Typical modules are rated from 175 W-300 W+ DC, so the number and size of panels required to produce a given amount of electricity can vary.
Solar power system efficiency is typically 85% of rated DC output for systems that use inverters. Inverters convert DC power to AC for use by the electrical grid. The MicroFIT subsidy is based on total AC output, so a 10 kW MicroFIT system would actually acquire approximately 12 kW DC of solar modules (e.g., 66 x 175 W or 52 x 220 W) to produce 10 kW AC after conversion from DC.
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Reliable Home Comfort uses only solar modules guaranteed for 25 years or more. Many systems continue to produce power after 40 years. After 20 years, modules will typically will produce only 80% of their maximum rated power. All of Reliable Home Comfort MicroFIT income calculations are averaged over the 20-year contract to take this into consideration. |
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| 3 kW, 5 kW and 10 kW Solar System Comparison |
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MicroFIT Solar
Power Systems
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3 kW System
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5 kW System
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10 kW System
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System Configuration
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18 x 175 W panels
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24 x 198 W panels
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60 x 175 W panels
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System Size
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258 ft2 total area
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397 ft2 total area
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2400 ft2 total area (after spacing)
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Rated Output
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3150 kW (DC)
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4752 kW (DC)
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10500 W (DC)
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Est. Avg. Annual Output1
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3623 kWh/year
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5442 kWh/year
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11,930 kWh/year
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Est. Avg. Annual Income
(@80.2¢ per kWh)2
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$2,645 per year
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$4,365 per year
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$9,568 per year
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Total MicroFIT income
(20 -year contract)
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$52,909
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$87,300
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$191,360
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Total installed cost3
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$26,000
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$38,000
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$60,000
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Net profit
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$26,909
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$49,300
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$131,360
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Lifetime CO2 reduction4
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>14000 kg
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>21000 kg
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>46000 kg
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| Solar Power System Components |
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Reliable Home Comfort offers turnkey MicroFIT systems in configurations from 3, 5. 10 kW systems. Our components come from trusted suppliers like Sharp, Sanyo, SunTech, SMA, Xantrex and Enphase. We work closely with you to design a system optimized for your specific site and structure, and compliant with the MicroFIT/FIT requirements for the percentage of components sourced in Ontario. Our experienced team offers comprehensive turnkey service that covers everything from system design, permits and applications to installation, monitoring and support. Including service and maintenance |
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| Enhance Performance |
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Reliable Home Comfort also provides options to enhance the performance of any solar power system: Trackers that can boost output 25% to 40% by following the sun as it moves across the sky. Pole and ground mounting solutions that let you install solar when a rooftop is not ideal Remote monitoring that lets you track performance 24/7 via the Web |
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| You get more than the latest technology with Reliable Home Comfort. Your solar power system is installed by qualified technicians using industry-best practices for a reliable, trouble-free setup. |
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| Solar Panels |
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Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels (called modules) are made from crystalline silicon cells and convert sunlight into electricity. EfstonScience uses only trusted brand-name modules, with a 25-yr power rating warranty. Many sizes, outputs wattages and trims available. |
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| Mounting Systems |
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Sloped roof, flat roof, ground or pole mounting systems support the Solar PV modules, depending on the site requirements. 1 & 2-axis tracking systems follow the position of the Sun and can boost output by 25%+. |
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| Inverters |
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Inverters convert DC power from the solar modules into grid-ready AC power. String Inverters work with parallel strings of panels. Micro Inverters attach to each panel to optimize output – ideal for shaded or multi-angle installations. |
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| System Monitoring |
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Web-based tools monitor system performance. Systems can be monitored remotely from any web browser. Monitors track system status, power output, income generated, carbon offset, weather data and more. |
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| Frequent Asked Questions |
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What does MicroFIT mean?
FIT stands for Feed in Tariff. If you are a homeowner, farmer or small business owner, you have the opportunity to develop a very small or "micro" renewable electricity generation project (10 kilowatts or less in size) on your property. Ontario’s Green Energy Act includes a program to pay home and business owners up to $0.80 per kilowatt hour of electricity produced by a solar electric system. The province will enter into a 20 year contract with people who install up to a 10 kilowatt solar system at this rate.
Why did Ontario create this Program?
The province of Ontario wants renewable energy to be part of its future. It believes solar energy is one technology that can deliver clean energy directly to consumers. The province is introducing this program to help consumers put solar energy to work, with the goal of lowering costs and growing an industry.
Am I Eligible?
If you are a homeowner, farmer or small business owner, you have the opportunity to develop a very small or "micro" renewable electricity generation project (10 kilowatts or less in size) on your property
How much does solar cost and what will be my return on investment?
Solar systems can be installed on a home for about $7,000 to $12,000 per kilowatt. The range depends on the roof, the efficiency of the solar panels and the overall size of the system – larger systems are cheaper per kilowatt than smaller ones. More importantly, these systems can be expected to return a double digit return on investment. When’s the last time your investment gave you a 12.5 % return?
How long do they last?
We have partnered with some of the best manufacturers in the industry all of which offer a 25 year power output warranty. They commonly last many years more than that.
Is it easy for me to see if my system is producing power?
The inverter has a display that shows the cumulative energy produced by the solar array. All participants in the FIT program must install a second utility meter that logs and records the kilowatt-hours of energy produced by the solar system, and your utility will send you a cheque each billing period.
How Do I Get Started?
To start just contact us to set up a free in-home inspection. During this inspection we will review the whole process from start to finish. We will give you an honest assessment to determine where to locate the panels to maximize your return on investment.
Why choose Reliable Home Comfort?
Reliable has been helping home owners create a better living environment for the past 17 years. Specializing in renewable energy, heating, cooling, and fireplaces Reliable has done countless residential projects. As a leader in our industry, we truly are a trusted source for all your home environment and energy needs
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