Solar Power Application Assessment
We can help you decide if a solar electric system is the best solution for your equipment and power needs. We assess your solar power application by doing a feasibility study:
- Analyze solar energy resource: Based on global solar irradiation data.
- Determine loads and demand profile: User survey. Load analysis is critical for proper off-grid system design.
- Financial analysis: Determine costs, payback, return on investment, and net present value. Calculate the Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) for comparison with the cost of other sources of electricity. Identify financial assistance such as grants, rebates, and investment tax credits.
- Energy efficiency: Reduce energy waste in buildings and equipment to make the best use of the solar energy and photovoltaic system.
- Preliminary equipment and system configuration.
Solar Irradiation in the United States
The map shows the annual solar resource available in the United States. The performance and feasibility of your solar power application depend on seasonality, time-of-day use, energy consumption, energy storage, and other factors. Right-Click on image to open larger size map.
Solar Irradiation in Canada
The map shows the annual solar resource available in Canada. The performance and feasibility of your solar power application depend on seasonality, time-of-day use, energy consumption, energy storage, and other factors. Right-Click on image to open larger size map.
Solar Irradiation in Europe
The map shows the annual solar resource available in Europe. The performance and feasibility of your solar power application depend on seasonality, time-of-day use, energy consumption, energy storage, and other factors.
Solar Irradiation in India
The map shows the annual solar resource available in India. The performance and feasibility of your solar power application depend on seasonality, time-of-day use, energy consumption, energy storage, and other factors.
Ontario Feed-In Tariff (FIT)
The Ontario Feed-In Tariff is a power purchase agreement program implemented by the Ontario Power Authority. The program pays for electricity generated by a qualified grid-connected photovoltaic system.
- The Feed-In Tariff (FIT for systems over 10 kW) pays up to 71.3 cents per kWh. The micro-Feed-In Tariff (microFIT for systems less than 10 kW) pays up to 80.2 cents per kWh. The PV systems can be ground-mounted or rooftop-mounted.
- The length of the FIT contract is 20 years.
- Entec Solar can assist you with assessing the PV systems design and completing the FIT application.
- For more information, see the OPA Feed-In Tariff site.
Ontario Community Energy Partnerships Program (CEPP)
The Ontario Community Energy Partnerships Program (CEPP) is a grant program to support community power in Ontario. It was established by the Government of Ontario and the Ontario Power Authority. The CEPP supports community power projects through funding in the form of grants of up to $200,000.
- The grants apply to FIT-qualified solar photovoltaic projects with a capacity from 10.1 kW to 10 MW.
- The CEPP provides two types of grants: for Project Design & Development Activities and for Regulatory Approvals.
- Eligible applicants are individuals, charities, not-for-profit organizations, co-operative corporations, private corporations, and partnerships.
- Entec Solar can assist you with assessing the PV systems design and completing the CEPP application.
- For more information, see the Ontario Community Energy Partnerships Program site.
Call us for more information about our solar power application assessment services.
Advantages of Solar Power
There are many advantages to using solar electric power in remote, inaccessible or standalone applications:
Affordable
Off-grid solar electric systems are now price competitive with alternative energy sources, such as operating diesel generators or installing utility electricity, as measured by Dollars per kWh of energy generated.
Reliable
Unlike gas or diesel generators, or wind turbines, photovoltaic power systems have no moving parts and require little maintenance.
Flexible
Solar power systems can be designed in modules to meet specific requirements now. Add more capacity later with no equipment replacement as loads increase.