Installing Solar Panels to Lower Energy Costs and Reduce Environmental Impact
When thinking about the future, Sue and Stu are concerned about the environment, climate change and the cost of living. Their home already has a heat pump system and a suite to help generate income. Adding solar panels to their roof appealed to them as the panels generate electricity and help reduce their energy costs. Since the energy is renewable, they also reduce their carbon footprint. After completing an energy assessment, they qualified for a $5,000 federal government incentive which covered 30% of the cost of the solar system.
Sue and Stu feel good about their solar panel investment.
When the solar system produces electricity, it replaces the electricity they would typically use from BC Hydro. If they make more electricity than they need, the extra is sold to BC Hydro. If the solar system is not producing enough electricity to meet their demand, they use BC Hydro produced electricity.
All in all, this has reduced their energy costs. The online monitoring system shows them how much electricity the solar panels produce and tracks their energy and emissions savings. The panels were installed only four months ago, and in that time, they have made 4,555 kilowatt hours of electricity and avoided three tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. They estimate their investment will be paid off in eight years with the electrical cost savings.
Sue and Stu are planning on buying an electric car once their existing vehicles are ready for replacement. With that in mind, they plan to install 10 more solar panels to produce more electricity to help power the car. As they think about retirement, they are happy to create their own energy, protecting them from rising costs and benefiting the environment.
CoEfficient Building Science did the energy assessment, and Hakai Energy Solutions installed the panels. They took advantage of the federal government’s Greener Homes Grant for solar energy.
Thank you, Sue and Stu Coker, for sharing your story.
We are thrilled that Vince & Marianne are benefitted from all of these upgrades, especially their heat pump! Thank you for sharing this article. I am going to pass it along others in similar circumstances to help them see that they too can improve the comfort level of their own homes and do it in a more affordable way.