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03-17-14, 06:53 PM | #1 |
Lurking Renovator
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Kenora, ON Canada
Posts: 26
Thanks: 21
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Ontario's Hydro One Net metering program..anyone signed up?
I am thinking of using net tied system (as above) for my home/garage in Kenora.
I am curious what the experience was like dealing with HydroOne as a homeowner (or did a company like solar solutions do that; and if so what was that experience like). I was thinking of a less than 10KW system as this seems the least restrictive. and staying grid tied... big question given the money involved in setting up a grid tied system am I better off spending "more" and severing the umbilical altogether and using a stand alone system independent of the grid. I am VERY new to this and only have questions at this point and no one local (other than a commercial Co whom I have not approached yet) to ask questions of... I don't know what my load would be as yet but am working hard at bring all electrical loads down as the HydroOne bill is brutal. Thanks in advance |
03-17-14, 07:13 PM | #2 |
Master EcoRenovator
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Toronto
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Are you speaking of the MicroFIT program (39.5cent/kwh) which buys all your power through a second meter OR a net metering system where the one meter moves back and forward depending on how much power you use/generate?
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03-17-14, 08:24 PM | #3 |
Lurking Renovator
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Kenora, ON Canada
Posts: 26
Thanks: 21
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
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Truth is I'm not sure which one... any thoughts
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03-18-14, 05:18 AM | #4 |
Master EcoRenovator
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Toronto
Posts: 958
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well, there are major hassles with Hydro when doing the MicroFIT (they don't like a regulator telling them what to do) and there is at least $2000 in extra costs to do a new service, you are not allowed to have a PV charged battery backup as part of the system (no one seems to know why this is the case).
On the other hand, at your rates, it is a 10% ROI with a 20 year supply contract which is not bad. I just hooked up a 10kw system, yesterday, and we watched the Sunnyboy inverter chug away. The guy made $2 in the first 10 minutes. |
03-18-14, 06:18 PM | #5 |
Lurking Renovator
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Kenora, ON Canada
Posts: 26
Thanks: 21
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I spoke to a local solar designer/supplier today who indicates he has lots of experience in the NW Ont area.
He recommended a MicroFIT system indicating a current 8% ROI... (now just to be clear cause I'm just a hillbilly at heart does that mean it will take about 12 years to recover my capitol cost (12x8=96%) then its $$$ in the bank for me since the system is paid for but continues to generate positive cash flow... like I said...lots of questions.. |
03-19-14, 05:01 PM | #6 |
Master EcoRenovator
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Toronto
Posts: 958
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Absolutely. The current cost for many of the installers is about $4-4.20/w installed, turn key. This should be a 10% ROI, give or take.
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