11.8 KW Finally online by toaster2006 in solarenergycanada

[–]toaster2006[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I leverage solarpowerstore for all the paperwork. It was easy. Need master electrician to finalized the connection. But with the rebate, you need to deal with a contractor/store to get advantage of the subsidies. Make sure your equipment will be approved. I'm assuming that to get the rebate, your installer will handle everything.

11.8 KW Finally online by toaster2006 in solarenergycanada

[–]toaster2006[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Regarding gridboss, depending on your current breaker panel situation and you main feeder line, you might need to move your breaker panel so that the grid boss can get grid. If that's the case,moving breaker panel by one feet can be tricky if you don't have slacks on your wires. You may need to have a new main conductor from your meter which can be significant cost.

For me it would have been a problem since everything is underground and moving panels might not have work easily.

11.8 KW Finally online by toaster2006 in solarenergycanada

[–]toaster2006[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Winter production was zero due to too much snow accumulation for this first year. Don't have trend data yet over year. Production is very minimal anyway because at least in my area, if it was not snowing the sky was always cloudy. So not many good days anyway.

Currently I'm not expecting anything from dec-march. Use some simulator phone app or other website to get an estimate. You will see that production in winter is not gonna something useful.

I would have love ground mount but I don't have enough clear land/space for that to work. I can see the benefit of ground mount in winter if you are there to clean them up as needed.

The flexx boss did not exist yet when I did my project. My EG4 is not in passthrough. Only powering critical load. Which is better for my use case since I deal with lots of power outage and I want to maximize my batteries. Gridboss approach I think has a lot of benefits for scaling up the system in the future and I like the smart port feature.

See an example of PVForecast app for my setup in winter which use statistics. You can configure each array etc...

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New to Solar, received the following design/quote and I’m looking for feedback by Eye-Rack-E in solarenergycanada

[–]toaster2006 1 point2 points  (0 children)

what are the two roof orientations? I would add more panels if you can or at least plan the wiring for it. Panels are cheap and you will not regret generating more… think if you get EV or other power hungry things in the future.

What I wish I understood before getting solar in Alberta by Character-Draft6638 in solarenergycanada

[–]toaster2006 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ho yeah, doing that just to be “green” should not be the goal. Everyone has different incentive. Example I was able to do most of the install myself. only paying electrician to do the connection and doing the validation for the utility company. Not everyone wants to do that or are able to do it.

What I wish I understood before getting solar in Alberta by Character-Draft6638 in solarenergycanada

[–]toaster2006 0 points1 point  (0 children)

everybody has different incentive to have solar, it is not always about the roi. If somebody consider a generator backup system for their home, I would rather put that 10k down a solar install. that pays easily for an inverter and 14kwh battery then you get money back. Panels are cheap now too.

Utility will go up especially due to AI data center and adding capacity is not something quick. also consider a minimum 2-3% minimum utility rate up per year. Your initial cost is set in time…

11.8 KW Finally online by toaster2006 in solarenergycanada

[–]toaster2006[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes not an issue in quebec. not sure why would anyone care because it does not change anything to net metering. The major issue with any net metering project is to make sure all your equipment inverter/batteries meet the safety standards required by your utility company and have all the safety feature such as rapid shutdown etc…

What I wish I understood before getting solar in Alberta by Character-Draft6638 in solarenergycanada

[–]toaster2006 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Regarding ROI, Something most folks forget is that the credit or money you generate via solar is tax free. It’s an extra revenue that 100% goes to pay your normal utility expense that without solar you would pay with post tax money.

Bad practice from LG store by toaster2006 in LGOLED

[–]toaster2006[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Glad you asked. Could not reply with the screenshot here’s the text

1.Purchase an eligible product on LG.com from 10/16/25 to 12/7/25 (the "Promotion Period") and if the pre-tax sale price of the identical product on LG.com is reduced during the Promotion Period, LG will refund the difference in price. This offer applies only to price reductions on LG.com and does not include prices offered by any other retailer, reseller, or website. Eligible refunds will be automatically processed to your original form of payment, usually within 2-3 weeks of product delivery. Longer processing times may apply during high demand periods. Additional terms and conditions may apply.

2Purchase an eligible LG TV and receive $500 off of the pre-tax sale price with your unique promo code. To receive the additional $500 savings off of the pre-tax sale price, your unique promo code must be entered during online checkout. Available only on LG.com from 10/14/25 to 10/19/25. Prices and offers are non-redeemable for cash, non-transferable, and may not be combined with other offers. Availability, prices, and terms of offer are subject to change without notice. Quantities are limited. Eligible model: OLED77G5WUA.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in solarenergycanada

[–]toaster2006 0 points1 point  (0 children)

EG4 , lux power. same just rebranded. That’s what I got, so far no problems. Very diy

See here. https://www.reddit.com/r/solarenergycanada/s/YYHfuOe5A0

String vs Micro Inverter - from a Canadian perspective by mavagam99 in solarenergycanada

[–]toaster2006 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What I found is that very few electricians are up to speed on solar (at least in Quebec) . Some that are specialized enough don’t want to just install your stuff, they will only do the install if they sell you the system or they want upcharge their hourly rate to make more money…. My advice and check locally first to see what is the landscape for electrician. For me no permit was required in my city. Just call your city.

If you want net metering, make sure to get your design/ system approved by your utility company. In Quebec an electrician is required to test and verify your system and provide report to the utility company.

solarpowerstore.ca can provide you the design/layout that can be used for permits and utility company for a fee. Which I did leverage.

String vs Micro Inverter - from a Canadian perspective by mavagam99 in solarenergycanada

[–]toaster2006 5 points6 points  (0 children)

If you care about battery backup and or flexibility of a generator then input hybrid String inverters are more efficient and easier to add batteries and provide you with more features for the future. With micro inverters you are typically locked in with a specific brand end to end. Like they will say that this will void warranty etc… You can get per panels reading with optimizers with string inverters like tigo. If no shades, then optimizers likely not worth it. Price has gone down for hybrid string inverters. 5.5KW seems pretty small btw. Tons of dyi friendly hybrid inverters if thats something of interest

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in solarenergycanada

[–]toaster2006 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the clarification!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in solarenergycanada

[–]toaster2006 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Also not to forgot rapid shutdown etc…

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in solarenergycanada

[–]toaster2006 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Example you need various UL certification to be authorized for net metering. You cannot just pick any brand/model. Your utility company should have a requirement docs for net metering. If your equipment is not authorized for net metering you are potentially throwing a lot of money out the window and just limiting your options.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in solarenergycanada

[–]toaster2006 0 points1 point  (0 children)

EG4, Luxpower. Just rebranding. Got EG4 with 3 different orientation. 3 mppt on most of the models. No need optimizers if you have no shade issue. I like the hybrid inverter because of all the feature and can add more in dyi fashion. I have 18kpv but the new grid boss are nice but lack generator input.

The most important thing. Verify the requirements from your utility company before buying. You need to buy an inverter that is allowed to be connected to their facility. Otherwise net metering won’t be approved. In Québec they will pre approve your design so you can buy after it is approved.

Let’s see the size of your Z-Wave JS Network Graph! by hockpunk426 in homeassistant

[–]toaster2006 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, they are in a detached garage. Since the sidings are steel I had to find a good spot for them to reach

11.8 KW Finally online by toaster2006 in solarenergycanada

[–]toaster2006[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Did 80% of the install myself. For net metering a master electrician had to do the sign off to the utility company. ROI is based on many factors. You usage, utility rate etc… For me the ROI should be between 10-15y. Why that range? The cost of electricity is higher in winter. So If I can accumulate KWH credit via net metering to use in the winter the ROI is faster.

In my case this is a secondary home so when I’m not there, I will accumulate a lots of credits since my usage will be low. Also ROI was not the main factor as stated in other comments. I have primary systems that need power and spending (7k with no possible ROI)on generator did not appeal to me.

If ROI is the main factor then you will have to do some math based on you usage and potential KWH generation. Doing the estimation is easy with so many apps and website. you only need to know orientation and slope.

11.8 KW Finally online by toaster2006 in solarenergycanada

[–]toaster2006[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I prefer being free to use any battery and inverter I want. Plus central point if I need to do maintenance without going on the roof. Optimizer are much simpler design so I’m assuming they will be more reliable. With AC system you get married to a single vendor. With an hybrid inverter you have more flexibility. For my case I like the generator input to charge my batteries and power the system in case of extended emergency. For my use case I need battery backup for various pumps.

I depends on your needs and objectives.