ENERGY Solar power co-op works to lower costs
Group could negotiate lower prices on installations or invest in own solar farm
Stephen Hall began exploring solar power as a way of securing the environment for his daughters’ future. Then he found the economic benefit.
“When I talk about solar … I don’t go near environmental concerns, because it can open some ideological cans of worms,” said Hall, who had solar panels installed on his Lakeview house almost three years ago.
“The reality is it makes economic sense; profoundly it makes economic sense.”
Hall planned to share his story on Monday evening at a solar power co-operative meeting at the Artful Dodger.
Hall isn’t shy in discussing his experience.
Solar power was an expensive investment off the hop — the 30 panels on his roof cost $28,000 and required borrowing from a line of credit, although SaskPower provided a $5,000 rebate.
However, even while paying back his capital costs, Hall’s monthly power bill has been reduced to $170 a month compared with $185 before.
Like Hall, environmental impact was Josh Campbell’s initial reason for exploring solar energy three years ago, but he found it costprohibitive.
Learning that the costs are coming down, he and his wife decided to revisit the option.
“Why aren’t more people on board here? We get over 320 days of sunshine a year and this kind of just seemed like a no-brainer,” said Campbell.
He said as a co-operative, the group will explore a couple of options on how to make solar power more accessible.
That could mean using group buying power to negotiate a reduced installation price.
Another option could include individuals investing in a type of large solar farm.
“Maybe it’ll be both,” said Campbell.
SaskPower rates solar energy’s reliability as low, since it depends on sunshine, and its cost rating as high.
However, SaskPower’s goal is to have 50-per-cent renewable energy sources by 2030.
The Crown is committed to adding 60 megawatts of solar generation capability by 2021, according to its website; 20 megawatts is expected through communitydriven projects.
Hall hears from cynics who wonder at solar panels’ usefulness in the dark or on cloudy days.
His response is: “‘Hey, do you have running water in your house … even when it’s not raining?’ We’ve figured out how to store water to have it whenever we need it. This is really no different.”
He said batteries, which store solar power for later use, are also coming down in cost.
The system on his roof generates 7.65 kilowatts of electricity.
Any excess generation goes back into the general electrical grid for use by other customers. The solar panel owner gets a power bill credit through SaskPower’s net metering program.
Hall’s solar panels have proven their durability.
Last week’s windstorm tore a 10-by-10-foot section of shingles from his house, but the solar panels remained secure.
After a hailstorm a couple of years ago, which caused his van to be written off for damage, the solar panels’ generation actually improved — “it cleaned them,” he said.
An occasional cleaning is the only maintenance required.
“There are no moving parts. The sun shines and they create electricity. That’s it,” said Hall.
Having solar panels makes Hall “virtually immune” to rising power costs.
SaskPower is looking for a fiveper-cent rate increase next year, with at least a couple more to follow in the next decade.
Power bills have cumulatively increased almost 27 per cent in the past five years. A carbon tax would also cause rates to rise.
“There’s just no question that the cost of buying power from SaskPower is going to go up,” said Hall.