Residential solar energy systems work by converting sunlight into electricity through the use of photovoltaic (PV) cells. These cells are typically installed on the roof of a home or in an area where they can receive maximum sunlight exposure. When sunlight hits the PV cells, it creates an electrical current that flows through wires to an inverter, which converts the direct current (DC) electricity produced by the cells into alternating current (AC) electricity, which can be used to power household appliances and electronics.

Residential solar systems don’t require batteries! This is the most common misconception we hear today. Through what’s called a Net Metering Agreement with your utility provider, the grid is used as storage, and whatever power you generate that isn’t immediately used, is sold back to the utility at an agreed rate. This allows solar in Canada to work on an annual basis, with peak production and credits built in the summer, to be used and drawn upon throughout the winter.

Net Metering is the process in which your electrical utility allows you to sell your excess electricity back to them. It is necessary if you want to have a solar system without batteries (which we highly recommend). Check out the Net Metering pages for:

ATCO Electric

ENMAX

EPCOR

FortisAlberta

Yes, at Ark Renewable Energy we source premium solar panels that can generate electricity even in bad weather. We use high-quality panels that are efficient in low-light conditions and micro inverters to ensure optimal performance even when panels are partially obstructed.

We often get asked what happens in the even of snowfall on the panels. A study from Northern Alberta Institute of Technology has shown that snow only affects solar panel production by 2.2% per year, and snow melts faster on panels than on regular roofs. Therefore, you can produce and store enough energy in summer to cover your needs in winter.

Sunny days are the best days for solar collection, but just because the sun hasn’t broken through the clouds doesn’t mean your panels aren’t producing power. Cloudy days still produce power (the brighter the better) but if it's daylight hours, you’ll still be pushing watts back into your home

Very little! Occasionally the panels can get dirty from birds and dust, but for the most part, they are self-cleaning with regular rainfalls. It is not out of the question to go up once a year to wash and inspect the modules, to ensure peak production throughout the summer months. With no moving parts, Solar installations have very little which can go wrong, which is why you often see long warranty periods of up to 25 years for the equipment

The amount of savings you can achieve depends on your current home energy usage, roof space, and orientation of your home. We create a customized system for you that maximizes these savings. Our design utilizes the most sun-exposed areas with highly efficient panels. Contact us now to receive a free proposal, and we will take care of everything else for you!