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…and the Rise of Some Truly Terrible Replacements.
For years, Canadian homeowners enjoyed access to something that sounded almost too good to be true… and shockingly wasn’t. We’re talking about the Canada Greener Homes Loan (CGHL) — the unicorn of financing:
✅ Up to $40,000 ✅ 0% interest ✅ Pay back over 10 years ✅ No admin fees ✅ No hidden “surprises” ✅ No penalties for early repayment
A real, honest-to-goodness, government-backed, interest-free loan. Not a financial product wrapped in sparkly marketing. Not a “promo rate gimmick.” Just a genuinely helpful tool.
Alas… that era has ended. The CGHL portal is now closed to new applications. Pour one out for the real MVP of solar financing. 🍺
And, as expected, the moment the true-zero-interest train left the station, many solar companies started scrambling. Some did so ethically… Others did what you’d expect when the candy bowl disappears — they got desperate.
And now, the financing tactics we’re seeing? Well… they deserve a spotlight. And maybe a warning siren. 🚨
Let’s talk about it.
🚨 What We’re Seeing — And Why We’re Concerned ❌ “Don’t pay until 2027!”
Sounds great, right? It’s November 2025. Who doesn’t love the idea of skipping payments for a year?
But here’s the hidden plot twist: We looked into one of these offers through FinanceIt. Here’s what’s actually happening:
The contractor pays 6.99% of the loan amount up front to “buy” the 1-year no-payment promo.
After that year? The homeowner is stuck with 13.99% interest for up to 19 more years.
And that 6.99% cost? It’s usually buried into the system price… and never mentioned out loud.
So in real terms, the customer:
Pays more for the solar system (to cover the 6.99%)
Then pays 13.99% interest for nearly two decades
That “don’t pay for a year” teaser turns into:
The world’s most expensive nap.
This is how you buy a solar system… and pay for it twice.
Who wins? ✅ FinanceIt ✅ Any installer willing to play along
Who loses? ❌ Homeowners
This is the opposite of what made CGHL special. This is marketing glitter at payday-loan prices.
And unfortunately, it gets worse…
🚨 Even Worse: Fake “0%” Loans With $10,000+ in Fees
We’re also seeing a separate in-house financing model floating around Nova Scotia. This one has been here for a while folks. It loudly advertises:
“0% FINANCING — 20 YEARS!”
Sounds like the CGHL reincarnated, right? Not so fast…
Here’s how it works:
20-year repayment term
A lien on your home
“Admin fees” over the term that often exceed $10,000+
That’s right: They didn’t remove the borrowing cost — they just renamed it.
If you pay $10,000 to borrow money, it doesn’t matter whether you call it:
“Interest”
“Admin fees”
“Unicorn glitter handling charges”
It’s still money you’re losing.
At least a traditional bank tells you the interest rate. Here, the true cost is camouflaged.
This structure can:
Reduce home-sale flexibility
Interfere with refinancing
Lock you into long-term debt
Frankly, we consider this model more misleading than high-interest loans — because it hides the cost behind friendlier words.
“0% interest” should mean… 0% interest. Not “just kidding, here’s a $10,000 service fee and a lien.”
Big yikes. 🙃
We get it — business is business. But business must still be ethical.
Anyone who understands solar economics knows that too much interest destroys the financial value of a solar system. Financing should help homeowners — not sabotage their ROI.
✅ There’s Good News: Municipal PACE-Style Loans Still Exist
Before you lose hope — there are still responsible financing pathways in Nova Scotia. The unsung hero: Municipal PACE programs.
Programs like:
Halifax Solar City
Various Clean Energy Financing programs
SwitchPACE
These have been around for years — long before the CGHL boom — and they’re run by municipalities, not private loan sharks.
They offer benefits like: ✅ Fair interest rates ✅ Good term lengths ✅ Added to your property tax bill ✅ Transferable on sale ✅ No gimmicks ✅ Transparent pricing
And best of all: They don’t rely on “buy now, panic later” marketing tricks.
You can browse every NS municipal program on our financing page:
Wattsup Solar LTD maintains a 10 year labour and workmanship warranty. This covers leaks in the roof or any equipment that fails under it's manufacturer's warranty.
Wattsup Solar LTD has been around since 2014 and so we feel a 10 year labour warranty is justified even if it is unusual for the construction industry. The Efficiency Nova Scotia preferred partner standard is 2 years. The failure rates of our equipment choices (Enphase microinverters) and the ease of maintenance make this an achievable promise to make, even with 1500+ installations across Nova Scotia.
The caveat is that an installer warranty is just a promise, unlike manufacturer's warranties, installer warranties aren't backed by 3rd party insurance. Caution: We've noticed a trend of smaller installers or out-of-province marketing companies over-promising on labour warranties despite not having the physical resources to follow through. We take the position that it's unethical to promise a labour warranty longer than your company has existed for, and over-promising is an unethical sales tactic.
Solar Panel (Module) Warranties
Solar panels have 2 types of warranties, most installers only mention the first type;
Production or Linear Output Warranty - Solar panels degrade over time, typically by 15% over 25 years. A production warranty allows you to replace the panel if it degrades faster than it's expected to. Regardless of the brand of solar panel, you can expect to see at least a 25 year production warranty on solar panels.
Our current panel offerings offer a 30 year production warranty. This information can be found in the equipment specification sheets, often in the form of a graph like the image below.
Caution: Without the ability to monitor each panels production independently, using microinverters or DC Optimizers, it is nearly impossible to know if a panel has degraded faster than it's supposed to. The only method is using an infrared camera, or physically testing the voltage of each panel. String inverters without DC optimizers are sometimes favoured by solar installers because they cannot track individual panel production. production warranty.PNG102 KBProduct Warranty A solar panel product warranty covers the product in case of outright failure, this is always listed separately from production warranties. Typically, cheaper Asian panels have shorter product warranties. We generally try to source European or North American made panels for this reason.
We currently offer;
Bauer (German) - 30 Year Product Warranty Peimar (Italian) - 30 Year Product Warranty Longi (Chinese) - 12 Year Product Warranty *some bi-facial modules are now 25 years*
Inverter Warranty - 25 Years
Enphase micro-inverters have a standard warranty of 25 years. They are the only inverter manufacturer to offer that warranty out of the gate. All other brands are between 10 and 12 years, often with the option to extend the warranty to 20 or 25 years - basically buying it twice.
Enphase warranties are not pro-rated, which means if it's been 24 years and an inverter fails, you get a brand new one, not a percentage cost of a new one.
Enphase Warranties are transferable to the new owner.
Check out our guide on the Enphase Warranty in more detail. https://wattsupsolar.ca/insights/enphase-microinverters-built-for-the-long-haul-backed-by-real-warranties
Caution: Be aware that extended warranties often require the installer to submit paperwork to the manufacturer within a short time period, often 3 months. You don't want to find out on year 13 that your installer did not file the paperwork.
Racking Warranty - 25 Years
All racking we use has a 25 year warranty, we typically use several different brands but there aren't any clear outliers in this department. Common brands of racking are Clenergy, Fastrack, or Pion.
Roof Penetration Warranty - 25 Years
We use Roof Tech Mini II attachments for our racking systems. These are "feet" with an EPDM backstrip, and they carry their own manufacturer's 25 year roof penetration warranty. - Check out this video of them being installed underwater. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gFHpO5UfSo
Understanding the Concept of "Tier-1" Solar Panels
Firstly, it's important to clarify a common misconception in the solar industry - the term "Tier-1". Despite its frequent use, it's not a definitive measure of a solar panel's quality. If you're seeking a simple, clear-cut categorization of solar panels, you might be disappointed. Let's delve a little deeper.
What Does "Tier-1" Really Mean?
The term "Tier-1" was coined by Bloomberg, but it doesn't necessarily reflect the quality or performance of the solar panel. Here's what you need to know:
Financial Criteria:
The "Tier-1" label is based on financial criteria, not on audits of manufacturing facilities or product quality. As such, the list of "Tier-1" solar panel manufacturers can change every quarter.
Not a Lifelong Guarantee:
The "Tier-1" label isn't a lifelong guarantee. It's not a quality guideline, and Bloomberg isn't a testing institute.
Quality Audits:
Some audits have found that solar panels from "Tier-1" manufacturers didn't meet their nameplate value under Standard Test Conditions right out of the box.
Product Defects:
Manufacturers rated as "Tier-1" due to high volume production have been found to have more product defects.
Misleading Assurance:
While "Tier-1" might sound impressive, it's not a reliable gauge of quality. It's often used to give buyers confidence in a less expensive product. However, the reality can be an underperforming product that doesn't live up to expectations.
The Takeaway
Be a savvy shopper. Look beyond the "Tier-1" label when choosing your solar panels. Quality and performance matter more than a manufacturer's financial status in a particular quarter.
At Watts Up Solar, we’re excited to bring TOPCon (Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact) solar panels to our product lineup. This groundbreaking technology, which builds upon the widely used PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Contact) design, represents the future of high-efficiency solar energy.
What is TOPCon Technology?
Introduced by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems in Germany in 2013, TOPCon takes PERC technology to the next level. By adding an ultra-thin tunneling oxide layer to the back of a PERC solar cell, TOPCon significantly reduces recombination losses and increases efficiency. Unlike brand-new manufacturing processes like heterojunction technology (HJT), which require completely different production lines, TOPCon can be integrated into existing PERC production facilities with minimal upgrades.
PERC cells, which are already highly efficient, have a theoretical efficiency limit of about 24%. TOPCon extends that limit by improving energy conversion and reliability. Major advancements in TOPCon technology have pushed efficiencies even higher:
2021: LONGi achieved 25.21% efficiency with n-type bifacial TOPCon cells. JinkoSolar followed with 25.4%.
2022: Trina Solar hit 25.5% efficiency on larger 210-mm cell sizes.
These incremental advancements are making TOPCon a preferred choice for manufacturers and consumers alike.
Why Choose TOPCon Over PERC?
While PERC technology remains an excellent option, TOPCon offers several advantages:
Higher Efficiency: TOPCon panels deliver more power per unit area. This is especially useful for installations where space is limited.
Improved Bifaciality: TOPCon modules achieve an 80% bifaciality rate, compared to PERC’s 70%. This means they can capture more energy from sunlight reflected off the ground, making them ideal for ground-mounted systems.
We’re proud to offer TOPCon panels to our customers, delivering the latest in solar efficiency and reliability. Whether you’re planning a residential installation or a large-scale utility project, our TOPCon solutions are designed to maximize energy production and provide lasting value.
Contact us today to learn more about our TOPCon panels and how they can enhance your solar energy system!
At first glance, the reason for higher energy generation with bi-facial panels seems obvious: when you have space beneath ground-mounted panels, reflected light from the surface below can be harvested by the underside of the panels. However, the difference in production might surprise you, as it did us. In our latest ground-mount installation and study, we’ve observed a remarkable 26% increase in energy production by switching from traditional, single-sided modules to modern bi-facial panels. Here’s what’s behind that impressive boost—and why bi-facial technology is rapidly gaining popularity for ground-mounted systems.
How Bi-facial Panels Work
Bi-facial solar modules, unlike traditional monofacial modules, are capable of collecting sunlight from both the front and the back. The front side of the panel captures direct sunlight, just like a conventional panel. The backside, however, captures light reflected off the ground or nearby surfaces, often referred to as "albedo light."
Key factors that influence the amount of extra energy the rear side can collect include:
Surface reflectivity (albedo): Lighter-colored or reflective surfaces (e.g., concrete, white roofing, or even snow) can bounce a greater portion of sunlight back up to the underside of the panels.
Panel height & tilt: Elevating the panels further above the ground and adjusting the tilt angle can increase the rear-side irradiance, which translates into higher energy yields.
Row spacing and layout: Allowing proper space between rows of panels helps reduce shading on the backside and enables more light to reach the ground.
Why Ground-Mount Installations Benefit
In a ground-mount setup, there’s typically more open space beneath the array. This extra room allows more light to scatter around and find its way to the underside of the panel. Additionally, when ground surfaces have high reflectivity—such as a gravel bed, grass with high moisture content, or specialized reflective coatings—the rear side of the modules captures significantly more photons than it would in a rooftop setup.
Even in sites with standard grass or moderate reflectivity, the effect can be substantial. In fact, real-world data from bi-facial systems in various climates suggests that even in non-ideal conditions (like cloudy regions or less reflective ground), a 5–20% rear-side gain is not uncommon. In our observed case, optimized conditions produced a striking 26% boost in total energy output compared to similar monofacial arrays.
Real-World Results
Higher Daily Output The additional sunlight captured by the backside of bi-facial panels can extend peak production time. When the sun is at a lower angle—morning or late afternoon—a portion of the solar rays that might otherwise miss the front side are reflected by the ground and caught by the rear.
Performance in Diffused Light Bi-facial modules also perform well under overcast or cloudy conditions. Because overcast skies scatter light more evenly, some of that diffuse light reaches beneath the panels, providing a noticeable bump in energy collection compared to monofacial panels on similar cloudy days.
Long-term Return on Investment While bi-facial panels can be marginally more expensive than their monofacial counterparts, the increased energy yield often makes up for that cost difference in a relatively short time. Factors like local electricity prices, available space, and installation costs all play a role, but many system owners find that the improved performance translates into a more attractive payback period.
Case Study
Take a look at these two ground mount isntallations. The first uses 500W Bauer panels (mono-facial): System: 5592858
The smaller system produces more power with two fewer panels. The kWh per kW DC measure shows that the system with bi-facial panels was 26% more efficient than the mono-facial panels in the 30 day time period from February 21st 2025 to March 21st 2025.
This difference in production was more than we expected to see and came as quite a surprise. Although bi-facial panels come at a higher cost per watt than standard mono-facial panels we highly encourage this selection for ground mounts.
Conclusion
Considering a ground mount installation? We think bi-facial panels are the way to go, and we have the data to prove it. It goes without saying that each installation has differenct characteristics so the results will certainly vary, but from what we've seen the cost difference for bi-facial panels is jsutified by the additional yield.
If you have changed your Internet Service Provider, network password, or even updated your network name, this can disconnect you from the Gateway. Let's walk through the steps to re-establish the network connection using the Enphase App, which will require you to use a device such as a tablet, or a smartphone that is already connected to your home's Wi-Fi. You will also need the password for your home's Wi-Fi connection.
Steps to Get Your Gateway Back Online
Open the Enphase App on your iOS or Android mobile device and tap on the ‘Menu’ tab at the bottom of the screen.
Enphase Dashboard
Tap on the bell icon at the top right of the screen.
Settings
Click the link on the 'Gateway Not Reporting' notice.
Notices
Bring your phone into the Wi-Fi range of Gateway and follow the steps mentioned on the ‘Reconnect to Gateway’ page in the Enphase App. For your reference, the steps to follow have also been elaborated below:
Step 4a: Press the AP mode button:
Do not hold, but just briefly press and release the Gateway menu button. This will enable AP mode (access point mode) on your Gateway which creates a wireless network you can join with your smartphone.
Note that if you see a solid green LED next to the Cell phone icon, it means AP mode is successfully enabled, and you may proceed to the next step.
If the AP mode LED next to the cell phone icon flashes green, it means WPS pairing has been initiated, which we do not want at this time. Please wait for the WPS pairing to timeout in two minutes and then repeat step 1.
Step 4b: Turn off mobile data:
Navigate to your phone settings without closing the Enphase App. Turn off the mobile data (cellular data) from your mobile device settings. Go to Settings > Mobile Data and switch it off.
Step 4c: Join Gateway’s network:
Join the Gateway’s network using your phone's Wi-Fi settings. Navigate to the Wi-Fi settings and look for the Gateway’s wireless network. The network name will include the last six digits of your Gateway’s serial number. In this case: Envoy_029655 is the name of the network.
Join Network
Step 4d: Connect Gateway to home Wi-Fi:
After you have joined the Gateway’s network, return to the Enphase App’s “Reconnect to Gateway” screen. Scroll down to see the "Configure home Wi-Fi" option and tap on it.
Note that the “Configure Home Wi-Fi" box may appear grey initially; wait for a few seconds and when it turns blue, tap on it.
Connect
Select your home network from the list of available networks on the pop-up that appears.
Choose Network
Wait for the connection between the Gateway and the Home Wi-Fi to establish. This may take a few minutes.
Wait for connection
Connection established: Once the connection is established you will see a message “Gateway is connected to Wi-Fi successfully”. You may now connect your mobile device to your Wi-Fi or enable your mobile data.
Success!
Final Step: Tap on “OK, got it”. Your Gateway has been successfully connected to your Wi-Fi network. You may still see “Gateway is Not Reporting” status under Notices; please note it may take up to 30 minutes for the status to get updated.
Check if the Connection was Successful
Once the connection is established, check the LED indicator next to the cloud icon on your Gateway. If the LED lights up solid green, you're back online. Congratulations!
Your system now needs to re-sync, which can take anywhere from an hour to a few days depending on how long your system was offline.
If your Gateway is still offline, you will see the screen as shown below. You can tap on “Try again” and repeat the troubleshooting steps.
Why Don't I See My Production Data Even After Reconnecting?
Don't worry if you don't see your production data or the top light of the Gateway is red, even after reconnecting your Gateway back to the internet. It takes some time for the backed-up data to sync up with the Enphase Cloud. Typically, it takes about 1 hour for each day of your Gateway being offline. For example, if your Gateway was offline for 30 days your system should fully sync up in about 30 hours.
The difference between the wattage of the panel and the wattage of the inverter is called the DCratio. Here's how to calculate it:
With Enphase: Divide the wattage of the panel by the wattage of the inverter (one inverter per panel).
Other Inverter Types: Take the total DC system size and divide it by the total AC system size.
Current Panel and Inverter Offerings (2024)
Peimar 400W with IQ8+ (295W) gives a DC ratio of 1.35
Bauer 450W with IQ8A (366W) gives a DC ratio of 1.23
Bauer 500W with IQ8H (384W) gives a DC ratio of 1.30
Why is the Panel Wattage Higher than the Inverter?
Using the 500W Bauer with the Enphase IQ8H (384W) as an example:
Real-world Performance: Panels only produce their wattage rating under laboratory conditions. A 500W panel may produce 480-490W in real life except under ideal conditions (very cold and sunny).
Energy Yield: Higher panel wattage increases energy yield on cloudy days or during morning/evening sun. The more "potential" energy you capture, the better the performance on bad weather days.
Degradation Over Time: Panels degrade over time, typically by 15% over 25 years. A 500W panel will produce a maximum of 425W after 25 years, which is still sufficient for the 384W inverter.
However, if the panel were 400W, it would produce a maximum of 340W after 25 years, less than the IQ8H inverter can handle. This would result in progressively lower production year after year, affecting ROI calculations.
Sizing Panels and Inverters
Oversizing Panels: Sizing a panel too high for the inverter can lead to diminishing returns. For instance, a 500W panel with an Enphase IQ8+ inverter (295W peak) gives a DC ratio of 1.69, which is not recommended.
Provincial Regulations: In Ontario, systems larger than 10 kW AC are not allowed, leading to DC ratios of 1.4-1.5.
Clipping
"Clipping" occurs when a panel produces more power than the inverter can capture. Below is a chart from an Enphase technical brief:
A DC:AC ratio of 1.31 has an annual clipping loss of 0.3% in year one.
A DC:AC ratio of 1.68 has an annual clipping loss of 5.1%.
Consequences of Oversizing
SolarEdge, a string inverter manufacturer, warns against excessive DC:AC ratios:
Excessive oversizing can negatively affect the inverter’s power production. Inverters are designed to generate AC output power up to a defined maximum, which cannot be exceeded. The inverter limits or clips the power output when the actual produced DC power is higher than the inverter’s allowed maximum output, resulting in energy loss. Oversizing the inverter can cause it to operate at high power for longer periods, affecting its lifetime. Operating at high power increases inverter internal heating and might heat its surroundings. Inverters reduce their peak power generation when overheating.
SolarEdge Inverters: Maximum DC ratio of 1.50 (may void warranty if exceeded).
Fronius Inverters: Maximum DC ratio of 1.55 (will void warranty if exceeded).
SMA Inverters: Maximum DC ratio of 1.50 (may void warranty if exceeded).
Summary
The ideal DC:AC ratio is between 1.2 and 1.4. Systems below 1.2 do not account sufficiently for panel degradation, and systems above 1.4 may experience diminishing returns due to clipping.
If you live in Nova Scotia and own an Enphase IQ Battery—or are thinking about installing one—you might be eligible for a new incentive program that rewards you for shifting your electricity use away from peak demand times. Below is a quick overview of how the Efficiency Nova Scotia Eco Shift Battery Program works and why it might be a great fit for your home or small business.
What Is the Eco Shift Battery Program?
The Eco Shift Battery Program is run by Efficiency Nova Scotia in partnership with Enphase and Nova Scotia Power. The goal is to reduce strain on the electrical grid by using stored energy in residential and small commercial battery systems during times of high demand (often on cold mornings or evenings when heating usage spikes). By participating, you help support a more reliable and greener grid—while earning cash rewards.
Who Is Eligible?
Residential and Small Commercial Customers: Anyone with a valid Nova Scotia Power residential or small commercial rate code.
Enphase IQ Battery Owners: Your Enphase IQ Battery must be installed, interconnected to the grid, and have permission to operate.
Internet Connection: Your battery must be connected to the internet to respond to demand response events.
Note: Customers on Nova Scotia Power’s Time-of-Day rate, or those already enrolled in another Efficiency Nova Scotia demand response program, are not eligible.
How Does It Work?
Demand Response Events When Nova Scotia Power anticipates a high-demand period, it will request (or “call”) a demand response event. Participating Enphase IQ Batteries will automatically discharge energy back to the grid for a few hours to help reduce peak demand.
Automatic Adjustments Your battery’s settings will temporarily shift to Full Backup mode starting 12 hours before an event to ensure there’s energy to discharge when the event begins. Once the event is over, your battery returns to its previous settings.
Opt-Out Flexibility If you need to reserve battery power for backup or simply don’t want to participate in a specific event, you’re free to opt out. However, opting out does reduce your potential performance incentive.
What Are the Incentives?
Immediate Enrollment Incentive: You’ll receive $500 once your application is accepted and your device is enrolled in the program.
Performance-Based Incentives: Earn an additional $300 per kW (average) delivered each season (December–February). Performance is measured by how much power your battery contributes during the total event hours.
Depending on your system size, configuration, and event participation, you could earn anywhere from hundreds to a couple of thousand dollars per year.
How Do I Apply?
Install and Commission Your Enphase IQ Battery Make sure it’s fully set up with all required permissions to operate (PTO).
Agreement to the Program Terms & Conditions and the Enphase Participant Agreement
Approval Efficiency Nova Scotia typically processes applications within 2–3 weeks. You’ll receive an email with next steps or a denial notice if you’re found ineligible.
How Are Incentives Paid?
Enrollment Payment: Issued within 10 business days after your enrollment is confirmed.
Performance Payments: Each season runs December through February. Efficiency Nova Scotia will calculate how much energy your battery contributed to demand response events and issue incentive payments in the spring.
Can I Still Use My Battery for Backup?
Absolutely. You can set a Battery Discharge Limit in the Enphase App, ensuring you keep enough stored energy for emergencies. For example, setting your Battery Discharge Limit to 20% means only 80% of your battery’s capacity will be available for grid support, preserving backup energy if there’s a power outage.
What If I Need to Opt Out or Unenroll?
Opting Out of a Single Event: You can opt out through the event notification email or via the Enphase App. There’s no penalty, but opting out lowers your performance incentive.
Leaving the Program: You can unenroll at any time by contacting Efficiency Nova Scotia’s Energy Solution Advisors at 1-877-999-6035 or emailing ecoshift@efficiencyns.ca.
Next Steps
Already Have an Enphase IQ Battery? Get in touch with Efficiency Nova Scotia to start your enrollment.
Considering Installing One? Reach out for a detailed quote and to learn how the Eco Shift Battery Program can offset your costs.
Stay Connected Keep your battery and internet connection up and running to ensure seamless participation and to maximize your incentive earnings.
By taking part in the Eco Shift Battery Program, you’re not only earning cash rewards—you’re also helping to build a cleaner, more resilient electricity grid in Nova Scotia. For any questions about the program or potential earnings, reach out to Efficiency Nova Scotia or email ecoshift@efficiencyns.ca.
Disclaimer: Program details, incentive amounts, and eligibility requirements may change. Always refer to Efficiency Nova Scotia’s official program documentation for the most current information.
We want you and your family to be safe during storms and their aftermath. We also want your solar investment to serve you well for years to come.
With tropical storms and hurricanes come the hazardous conditions of heavy rains and destructive winds. In preparation for these storms, along with stocking up on supplies, securing loose items in your yard, and heeding evacuation orders, it’s important to understand some basics of solar PV systems and get some tips on how to prepare your PV system for severe weather.
Understanding Solar PV Systems in Severe Weather
Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels are securely attached to the roof and designed to withstand the gusty wind conditions of most storms. However, when winds exceed 105 mph, structural damage to homes and businesses may occur. While it is extremely rare for solar panels to come loose from the roof, flying debris may cause damage to the panels, such as cracked glass.
In addition to wind damage, utility lines in your area may experience power surges caused by line slap in high winds or by power lines felled by trees or other debris. Power surges on your service lines can damage any electronic equipment. Enphase Microinverters have integrated surge protection, greater than most traditional inverters. However, if the surge has sufficient energy, the protection built into the microinverter can be exceeded, and the equipment can be damaged.
Recommendations for Severe Weather Preparation
Unless you have an off-grid system (not connected to utility service lines), we recommend that you turn off your PV system to isolate it from the utility to prevent a power surge from the grid.
Steps to Prepare Your PV System for a Storm:
Disconnect the PV System from the Grid:
Turn off the PV disconnect (if installed) and your PV breaker(s). This will help protect your PV System against voltage surges coming from the grid.
Post-Storm Actions:
Enphase Microinverters: Remember that Enphase microinverters will not produce energy if the power grid is down. Microinverters will wait five minutes after the grid is back to normal before producing power.
Reconnecting Your System: Once the high winds and heavy rains have passed, you may turn the PV system back on.
If there is visible wind damage to your property or area: Call your installer to check the integrity of the system before reconnecting your PV System to the grid. If you find damage to the PV panels, inverters, or wires, DO NOT touch the paneling or wiring due to the risk of electric shock or electrocution.
If there is no visible wind damage in your area: You may reconnect your system once the storm has passed and the grid power has been restored. Please reconnect your system in the late afternoon, during the evening, or in the early morning hours to help minimize disruption to the utility grid during the critical period when restoration activities are ongoing.
Completing the Reconnection Process:
Close the PV disconnect switch and PV circuit breaker(s). If any circuit breakers trip after turning the system ON, turn the system OFF again immediately and contact your PV System installer.
Enphase makes solar simple, safe, and smart. By taking these few steps, you can give yourself one less thing to worry about. Be safe!
In our previous article we covered the various ways some shady solar installers attempt to maximize their profits. Today we'll be covering high pressure sales tactics and what to watch out for when dealing with solar salespeople. Solar is the largest investment a person can make after a house or a car and high pressure sales tactics are commonly used to prevent you from doing your research. Everything here is something we've heard or had to correct in the past.
Wattsup Solar does not endorse high pressure sales tactics. Our sales people are salary only and do not make a commission. We will not lock you into a contract and you are always free to cancel your project or switch contractors at any time before we have equipment installed.
"Sign Now before "X" Changes"
Common variations of this include;
"If you sign our contract now, you'll be grandfathered in to Net Metering which gives a 1-1 rate on power you export."
There are no residential Net-Metering Contracts with NSP as of April 22nd, 2022. 1-1 rate for power falls under provincial law under the Self-Generation Offset Program.
"If you sign our contract now, you'll be able to get 100% offset of your power bill, whereas if you wait until February, March, April, you'll only be able to offset 75% of your bill."
The percentage you can offset your bill has no relation to the Self-Generation Offset program. The current limits are 27 kW AC for residential systems which is around 70 solar panels.
"The Canada Greener Homes Loan or "X" Rebate is ending soon so "Sign Up Now""
Signing a contractors proposal does not protect you from any of these programs ending. In most cases, you're free to use whichever contractor you wish, even if the application was submitted with one contractors name. While it is likely that these programs will end at some point, contractors do not have any foreknowledge of this beyond the average person.
In the case of the Solar Homes Rebate (From Efficiency Nova Scotia), the application must be submitted by a contractor and it receives pre-approval with the funds allocated in advance. The installation must take place within 1 year. Important: The Solar Homes Rebate (for Residential) stopped taking applications April 11th, 2025
In the case of the Canada Greener Homes Loan (From the Federal Government) the application CANNOT be submitted by a contractor, but once it is submitted and the loan approval document signed, the funds are allocated and the installation must take place within 1 year.
"We have our own in-house rebate"
When a specific company offers an in-house "Rebate" it's not called a rebate, it's called a discount. Rebates must come from a third party like a government or non-profit organization like Efficiency Nova Scotia. Secondly, if you don't know the standard price for a product or service, any discounts are a bit meaningless as it's very easy for a contractor to increase the price first. Wattsup Solar always advertises our prices on our website.
"We will submit your Loan application on your behalf"
All 3rd party financing options, including PACE Atlantic, HRM's Solar City program, Energize Bridgewater, and the Canada Greener Homes Loan require the customer to submit their own application. Usually additional information is provided by the contractor, such as a quote or equipment specs. However, a growing trend is for solar salespeople to use this line when in fact the contractor is subjecting you to their own in-house financing option, which is often predatory or includes hidden interest, hidden fees, or liens against the property.
For homeowners or businesses looking to maximize their solar energy and battery storage, one of the biggest hurdles can be the electrical service itself. Traditionally, adding large amounts of solar panels or battery storage often leads to a dreaded (and expensive) main panel upgrade. However, Enphase now offers a solution called Enphase Power Control—a certified Power Control System (PCS)—that smartly manages power flow and monitoring to help you avoid costly electrical panel changes, all while maintaining full energy production.
What Is Enphase Power Control?
Enphase Power Control is essentially a real-time energy management solution. It uses additional sensors (current transformers or CTs) to measure how much current is flowing at key points in your solar-plus-battery system. These measurements are sent to the Enphase IQ Gateway (or IQ Combiner), which acts as the system’s “brain.” With this constant feedback, the system automatically adjusts how much solar or battery power is flowing into your main panel so that you don’t exceed the allowable limits set by electrical codes or your breaker rating.
Key Benefits
1. Avoid Costly Main Panel Upgrades
Without a power-control solution, adding substantial solar generation or higher-capacity batteries might push your electrical panel beyond its rated limits. Normally, that means you’d need a panel upgrade—an expense that often takes homeowners by surprise. With Enphase Power Control, real-time monitoring ensures that the current feeding back through your main panel never surpasses code requirements. The result? You skip the time and cost of a major panel replacement or service upgrade.
2. No Impact on Total Power Generation
Enphase Power Control can manage the solar and battery output so that, at any moment, your main panel doesn’t see more current than it’s designed for. However, this limitation only applies when power is flowing back through the panel in excess. In many real-world situations, especially when your home consumes more power in the daytime (e.g., air conditioning, appliances, etc.), you can still use (and export) the solar energy you generate—just without overloading your service equipment. Over the course of the day, your total energy production remains the same; it’s simply managed more intelligently.
3. Higher Battery Capacity for Longer Backup
With the new IQ Battery oversubscription mode, you can often install more battery capacity than you’d normally be allowed based on breaker ratings alone. The system ensures that the total continuous output from your batteries remains within safe limits, so you can stack more batteries without tripping breakers or violating code. More batteries mean longer backup duration when the grid goes down and greater overall flexibility for self-consumption or load-shifting.
4. Smart Modes for Battery Import or Export
Enphase Power Control offers two optional modes:
Import-Only Mode for batteries that only draw from solar or the grid (never export to the grid).
Export-Only Mode for batteries that only send power to the home or grid (never import from the grid).
These modes are valuable in regions with specific interconnection policies or for customers who have unique energy goals (like maximizing self-consumption versus taking advantage of time-of-use rates). Regardless of your preference, the system can adapt to ensure compliance with local regulations or homeowner priorities.
5. Aggregate Export Limiting
In some regions, utilities or local codes require strict limits on how much power you can send back to the grid. The aggregate power export limit feature makes sure your solar and battery output together do not exceed a defined threshold, automatically trimming production if needed. This ensures you stay within export rules while still enjoying robust onsite generation and usage.
6. Integration with EV Chargers
As electric vehicles become increasingly popular, homeowners often consider higher-capacity EV chargers. The IQ EVSE main breaker trip avoidance (MBTA) feature dynamically adjusts EV charging so the total load from your household plus your EV never exceeds the breaker’s limit. You can install a more powerful EV charger without oversizing the main panel, saving you further upgrade costs.
How Does It All Work?
Measurement with CTs
Production CTs measure the solar generation.
Consumption CTs measure the net power flow at the main panel or IQ System Controller.
Battery CT measures battery output or charge current (where applicable).
Real-Time Control
The IQ Gateway or IQ Combiner constantly receives these measurements.
Based on your configured settings (e.g., maximum feeder rating, export limit), the system automatically adjusts how much power the microinverters and battery are allowed to deliver to the panel.
Seamless User Experience
Because these adjustments happen in microseconds, you’ll never notice the difference in everyday operation. Your home remains powered, your batteries get charged, and your solar production is fully utilized—just kept within safe parameters for your electrical system.
A More Powerful System at a Lower Overall Cost
By introducing a smart Power Control System like Enphase Power Control, you can:
Install a larger solar system or add more battery storage than you might otherwise be able to.
Avoid unnecessary and expensive main panel or service upgrades.
Maintain a safe and code-compliant setup, thanks to real-time current monitoring and automated regulation.
Ultimately, Enphase Power Control offers a straightforward path to right-sizing your solar and storage without the additional headache of reworking your home’s electrical infrastructure. If you’re exploring a new solar installation or looking to expand your existing system, this intelligent approach ensures you capture all the energy you generate—while keeping your panel intact and your costs down.
Conclusion Enphase Power Control opens up new possibilities for homeowners to scale their clean energy investments sensibly and affordably. By combining real-time monitoring, dynamic control, and flexible operating modes, you can skip the main panel upgrade and still enjoy the full benefits of solar generation and battery storage. More power, longer backup, and cost savings—Enphase Power Control makes it all possible.
To restart or reboot the Gateway, turn off the Gateway breaker or unplug it from the power outlet (depending on your Gateway model). Wait 30 seconds before powering it back on.
Solar energy is radiation from the Sun that is capable of producing heat, causing chemical reactions, or generating electricity. There are a variety of ways in which the sun's energy can be harnessed including:
Solar Photovoltaics (PV): Generates electricity. Solar panels produce DC (Direct Current) power which then needs to be inverted to AC (Alternating Current) to be used by your house and the grid, or fed directly to a battery bank in the case of an off-grid system. Solar PV is the dominant form of solar technology and most of these questions are geared towards Solar PV.
Solar Hot Water: Uses heat from the sun to heat up and circulate water.
Passive Solar: A building practice that utilizes the sun in passive ways. Skylights and sun tunnels are examples of passive solar design. Another example would be large south-facing windows with an overhanging roof such that the house is heated by the sun when it's lower in the sky in the winter and cooled by the overhang when the sun is higher in the sky in the summer.
Why use solar energy?
Solar Energy is a renewable and plentiful resource that has few limitations. Harnessing solar energy is comparatively cheap and the energy produced can be used directly at the source as opposed to traveling great distances. The two main limitations are shading from nearby trees (nature's solar panels), and that the sun is an unreliable generator, meaning solar production/effectiveness is heavily skewed towards summer months.
Net-Metering or the current Self-Generation Offset program allows a grid-tied home to produce power which feeds the house first, and any excess power is then sent to the grid which is recorded by a bi-directional meter. This meter will provide credits that can be used at night and after a summer's worth of production you can offset the winter's use as well. A more detailed explanation on Net-Metering and the Self Generation Offset Program can be found here (link!)
A Net-Metered Solar PV system uses the grid as an "infinite battery bank," where your excess summer production can be banked for winter.
Is the design process for an on-grid system the same as that for an off-grid system?
The design process for an on-grid system is very different than that of an off-grid system. An on-grid system typically does not have batteries and certainly does not require batteries except in case of a grid-outage. An off-grid system requires an in-depth knowledge of the electrical loads and battery maintenance by both the installer and the customer. In general, off-grid systems require more planning, consultation, and industry knowledge. They are also more expensive (mainly due to the cost of the batteries) and often require more existing infrastructure such as non-electric heat sources or hot water sources.
The design process for a grid-tied system is relatively simple, as the installer does not need to know what the electricity is being used for. A grid-tied system also does not need to meet the entire electrical demand of the property. Most installers use satellite imagery and your historical annual kWh usage (commonly found at the bottom right-hand side of your NSP bill) to determine how many panels can fit on the roof or ground and what the production will be for that size of the system.
Can I install my own solar energy system?
Some parts of a solar installation can be done by anyone, but anything involving electricity should be handled by an electrician. Both on and off-grid solar PV systems need to be installed by a Red Seal electrician and inspected by Nova Scotia Power or the local electrical inspectors.
In general, racking and mounting panels, building a ground mount frame (depending on local building code), trench digging (if required), can all be done by someone with the skills and safety equipment/certifications to do so.
Will a grid-tied solar system power my home during a power outage?
A Solar PV system is capable of producing more power than your property uses in a day; this excess goes back to the grid. During a power outage, you cannot export power to the grid as it could injure line-workers, so all grid-tied Solar PV systems are designed and required to shut down automatically as soon as they stop detecting the grid. This is called "anti-islanding." Additional components can be installed that allow a part or all of a grid-tied solar PV system to operate during an outage but this typically requires a significant investment and is not trivial.
How long will my system last?
A Solar PV system will last as long as its component parts do. Solar PV Systems can broadly be broken down into three categories, each with varying warranty lengths:
Solar Panels: Solar Panels have two types of warranty. Linear Output (a.k.a production warranty) and Product Warranty. Solar Panels degrade over time as they get damaged by the sun and as they degrade, their output decreases. A typical degradation rate is 15% over 25 years. A linear output warranty allows for a replacement panel if the panel starts producing less than it's expected to - most linear output warranties are 25 years. Although rare, a panel ceasing to function entirely would be covered by product warranty, which are typically 10+ years. Although panels degrade over time, a system's performance should not noticeably decrease over 25 years if the panels are a higher wattage than the inverter(s) which is a fairly standard practice.
Inverters: Inverters take DC power produced by the solar panels and convert it to AC power to be used by your house and the grid. There are different types (string or central inverters and micro-inverters), each with their pros and cons, and varying costs and warranty lengths. Efficiency Nova Scotia recommends an inverter warranty of at least 10 years.
Racking: Roof Mounted racking is typically aluminum and most types carry at least a 20-year warranty. Ground-mounted frames are typically galvanized steel or concrete ballast. Generally speaking, roof-mounted racking is rated for higher wind loads than ground-mounted frames because most roof-mounted racking is not tilted up at an angle away from the roof.
In general, a solar PV system is expected to last 25 years, and potentially much longer.
My building's roof needs replacing soon. Does it make sense to combine the installations?
Shingles are damaged mainly by the sun, so anywhere covered with solar panels should extend the lifespan of the shingles underneath indefinitely. However, if your roof needs to be replaced in the next few years, doing it before installing solar panels is an excellent idea. If installing a metal roof, it's advisable to use a gauge of steel that can withstand the work being performed on it. If you're using "penetration free" racking such as S-5! clamps on a standing seam roof, make sure to use 26 gauge steel or better as you're relying on the structural integrity of the steel itself rather than the roof trusses to hold the system down.
Is my home a good site for solar?
Many homes are good locations for solar panels, which is one of the strengths of the technology. Ideally, you want a south-facing roof that's not too architecturally complicated. Other considerations would be self-imposed shading from the building itself (dormer's/second stories) or nearby buildings and shading from trees which can turn a theoretically perfect location into a non-viable one. You know your home better than any contractor, so take the time to walk around and look at the roof with a critical eye and think about where you would place the panels to get the most sun.
What is a Solar Energy System Design Brief?
A Solar System Design Brief, or solar proposal/quote is what a solar installer will provide a potential client. Typically, a proposal will include the number of panels that can fit on a roof in a viable configuration either done through satellite imagery, drone photos, or physically measuring the roof. It will have a calculation for the annual kWh production of the system often compared against an existing power bill. It should list the brands/model numbers of the equipment, particularly panels and inverters.
Solar proposals are often presented as a long-term investment. The idea is that the amount of power produced should remain roughly the same year to year, but the "escalation rate" or the rate of power you pay for will increase over time. Historically the escalation rate has been 3-3.5% per year over the past 10 years, however, an installer is free to set whatever escalation rate they think best on their proposals.
What are the effects of snow on panels?
Snow on the panels will partially or completely shut down PV power production until the snow comes off. When the snow comes off, it does so exactly like a metal roof (it slumps), so if you're filling the roof all the way to the edge with solar panels, a good consideration would be to ensure that there's nothing below that could be damaged/injured by falling snow or avoid placing panels too close to the edge.
In terms of production, solar power is heavily skewed towards the summer months, so anything you're able to get out of the panels in the winter is great but not expected.
Is Nova Scotia a good place for solar energy?
Nova Scotia is absolutely a good place for solar energy, as is most of North America. However, we have some unique aspects that make solar here a great investment. Nova Scotia has a culture of environmentalism and strong backing from the provincial government. It is also one of the only places where kWh for kWh* (the rate you pay for power is the same rate the utility must pay you for your power)* is provincial law instead of a contract with a utility. We also have some of the highest utility rates in Canada which means the value of a kWh produced in Nova Scotia is higher than elsewhere.
I'd like to be a solar contractor / carpenter / technician. What is my first step?
There are a number of different approaches to solar contractors/installers but in general, it's a labor-intensive career that will require heavy lifting (panels can weigh up to 70lbs) and being comfortable working on a roof. Getting fall arrest training and equipment would be the recommended first step. Other suggestions might be reaching out to existing companies or taking an educational course like NSCC's Microcredential in Solar PV - NSCC Solar PV Systems Design.
Do I have to clean my solar panels?
Generally, we get enough rain in Nova Scotia that you probably won't have to ever clean your solar panels. However, dirt, pollen, and leaves or other obstructions can impact solar production and if this is the case you may wish to clean the panels if it is safe to do so.
What is the optimum tilt angle for my solar panels?
The optimum tilt or pitch will heavily depend on the azimuth (compass orientation) of the panels and the time of year. Because we're in the Northern hemisphere, the ideal location for solar panels is a South-facing roof. Anywhere from South East to South West is excellent, and even due East or West roofs can be a good spot for panels if the pitch is not too steep.
If we're talking about a perfect 180-degree South facing roof, the best pitch in the winter is steeper at around ~45 degrees while the best pitch in the summer is shallower at around ~25 degrees. This is because the sun is higher in the sky in the winter and the best "angle" for the sun's rays to hit the panels is 90 degrees (perpendicular).
It's one of the cheapest ways to generate power, it's clean and good for the environment, and with all the rebates and incentives it may sound like a "no-brainer". But when it comes to solar installers, you shouldn't turn off your brain. In this article we're going to cover every trick, trap, sales tactic or misdirect in the book. We'll be using real life examples taken from solar quotes in Nova Scotia within the past year, with all identifying information removed. If you spot some of these things in the wild, remember that everyone has off days sometimes and it's difficult to tell what's intentional and what's the new guy phoning it in. The goal of this article is to provide enough background knowledge to the consumer to keep their installer honest.
"What you don't know, can hurt you."
Working Backwards from the $40,000 Interest Free Loan
Launched in 2022, the Canada Greener Homes Loan (CGHL) offers a 0% interest loan up to a maximum loan amount of $40,000 with 10 year term. This is an excellent way to finance energy efficiency upgrades. Because Solar Equipment is specialized and fairly niche, the average person does not know the retail value of various brands of panels or inverters. The most common question people have is "how much does a solar system cost?" The answer should depend on your power bill, the amount of panels you need to offset your bill, and specific circumstances regarding your property.
Some solar installers look at the $40k CGHL and decide that all solar PV systems cost $40k. Here are some tactics they use to get the price up in a "justifiable" manner.
Case Study 1: North Facing Panels Bad Solar Design Gaming the $40k interest free loan 200+% Solar Equipment markup from the Retail Value
North facing panels are a bad idea in general, North East and North West facing roofs at a shallow pitch can be okay, but any panels on the North side are going to produce around 30% less than the south facing ones. This alone could be justified, but not when we look at the choice of equipment.
This is a single string inverter (10kW de-rated to 9.6 kW). There are no DC optimizers in this design. A string inverter system without optimizers is capped at the performance of the lowest performing panel. *Note that some string inverters have software that can mitigate this such as Fronius's "Shadefix" software, and some allow for MPPT tracking, but that's not the case here.*
Adding North facing panels without at least putting a DC optimizers under the North facing ones is bad system design, and it means the entire system performs at whatever the North facing panels are producing in that moment. The entire system would perform better without those panels.
As to why those panels are there...
Gaming the $40k interest free loan - It appears this installer has worked backwards from that number and is attempting to justify the system cost (even though there's already a 200%+ markup on their solar equipment). In Case Study 2 we'll see a similar example but without the justification of some North facing panels.
200+% Solar Equipment Markup
Solar installers are product retailers. We buy in bulk and get a wholesale price for the equipment. The retail price for the equipment is whatever the average person can buy it for. Smaller solar installers are buying at closer to retail prices than larger ones, so some equipment markup is expected. Below are some examples given at the time of writing of the retail value of the equipment in the proposal, these are screenshots from public websites, anyone can buy this stuff at that price.
31 x LR7-54HGBB-450M = $8,270 1 x Solis-1P-10K-4G-US = $3,004 Solar Equipment Retail Value = $11,274 Keep in mind an installer should be able to get this equipment for less than that (wholesale price).
We're missing some components - sometimes called "balance of system"; racking, cabling, and installation. If we use our numbers (2025) - (Note to visitors from out of province, local factors such as building permits, site plans, or even local electrical code interpretation can change these numbers)
Installation - $5,000 Racking - $170 per panel Cabling - $65 per panel Balance of System = $12,285
Total - $23,559
Quote ($36,816) minus Balance of System ($12,285) divided by Solar Equipment Retail Value ($11,274) x 100 = 217% This means that the Solar Equipment is marked up over 200% from the retail value.
Gaming the $40k Loan
Case Study 2
This is another example of working backwards from $40k. This is a 22 panel system, it's not a ground mount, it's not got batteries, it's just a standard roof mounted system.
Working backwards from $40k
Abusing Production Estimates
Case Study 3 If an installer wants to maximize their profits by overcharging for the equipment, they need to still make the return on investment calculations look good. The numbers on a solar proposal can be quite confusing, here's a good guide to what they are and why they're there. - https://wattsupsolar.ca/insights/how-to-read-a-solar-proposal
Here we're going to talk about how some installers will manipulate the raw data. As a consumer, the quickest way to check this is to find these numbers;
1) Escalation rate on power 2) Estimate annual efficiency of the system 3) Current rate of power Estimated Annual Efficiency This one isn't commonly seen on solar proposals, but it's useful to measure if a company is being accurate with their estimates. The measurement is kWhs per kW DC per year. You can work out this number even if it isn't explicitly stated by dividing the First Year Production by the System Size in DC.
A particularly inefficient system (due east at 45 degrees) would be around ~900 kWhs per kW DC.
An extremely efficient system (due south at 45 degrees) would be around ~1,250 kWhs per kW DC.
The average in Halifax is ~1,100 kWhs per kW DC.
Below we have a good example of Abusing production estimates The estimated annual efficiency often isn't specified, because if it was it'd be obvious that there's a mistake. 10,638 kWhs divided by 7.65 kW DC gives 1,390 kWhs per kW DC. This number is absurdly high. We keep a database of all of our systems. https://wattsupsolar.ca/systems?backup=0&sort=last+year+production+efficiency Sorted by last year's annual efficiency, not a single system was that efficient. We have seen efficiency slightly above 1,300 kWhs but it's rare, inconsistent, and not the basis to make a large investment. Getting well above 1,300 kWhs per kW DC is approaching physically impossible.
*Note: Proposal software tends to default to higher efficiency numbers, as the default loss factors are often set slightly low. In this case however, it's clear someone manipulated the loss factors to produce this result.* estimated annual efficiency.PNG54.9 KB
Current rate of power The current rate of power is important for solar proposals, it's often not specified, but you can work backwards by taking the first year value in dollars and dividing it by the first year annual production. In this example, the current utility rate for this utility is $0.18 per kWh. The higher this number is to start with, the better your proposal will look.
$2,021.08 divided by 10,638 gives $0.19 cents per kWh. So this proposal is using an incorrect utility rate, presumably to get the "Projected Payback Period" to under 10 years.
Escalation rate of power Because the price you pay for power is the same the utility pays you for your power. (See Self Generation Offset program details) https://wattsupsolar.ca/self-generating-option
The faster the price of a kWh increases the quicker the return on investment.
This number can be quite subjective. Historically, over the past 10 years, the escalation rate has been around 3.6%, but it's not consistent, some years it can be as high as 7%, other years might not see a rate increase at all. It depends on negotiations between the provincial Government and the utilities and the utility and review board (UARB). In general, putting a higher escalation rate on a proposal is not a bad thing in itself, but it can be used to lever the "payback period" number down, and hide extreme equipment markup. After all, if you put 10% as an escalation rate, you can make any price look good.
Excessive DC Over-sizing of Solar Equipment
Case Study 4 North Facing Panels Excessive Abuse of DC:AC Ratio 400+% Solar Equipment markup on the Retail Value North Facing Panels - Like Case Study 1 the panels are on the north side of the roof, note in this case the roof pitch is steep at 45 degrees. Panels placed on the north side of the roof would be 42% efficient compared to the southern side. Tip: the "heat map" on this particular solar proposal software shows where you shouldn't put panels, in red, and where you should, in yellow.
Excessive abuse of DC:AC ratio. The DC size of the system is 33.62 kW, the AC size is 18 kW from 2 x 9 kW Growatt inverters. The DC:AC ratio is 1.87 Again this is a string inverter system without DC optimizers.
DC System Size - Wattage of solar panels added up AC System Size - Wattage of inverter(s) added up
We talk about DC:AC ratio in our other support guide here: -https://wattsupsolar.ca/insights/a8d7d467-59df-4da0-9d21-7b41af4f1dc6
It's generally accepted that the DC:AC ratio should be between 1.2 and 1.4 in Nova Scotia. The main reason for this is that panels degrade over time, typically by 15% over 25 years. If you want the system to produce the same amount each year for 25 years you need to take that into consideration initially.
To word this in another way. The system can potentially capture 33.6 kW of solar power, but the most the inverters can handle at any one moment is 18 kW. Granted, most of the panels on the North roof aren't doing much, but this strategy is clearly motivated by installer profit.
83 x LR5-54HPB-405 - (same model but 5W difference) = $8,715
2 x Growatt - MIN 9000TL-XH-US = $5,204 Solar Equipment Retail Value = $13,919 Keep in mind an installer should be able to get this equipment for less than that (wholesale price).
We're missing some components - sometimes called "balance of system"; racking, cabling, and installation. If we use our numbers (2025) - (Note to visitors from out of province, local factors such as building permits, site plans, or even local electrical code interpretation can change these numbers)
Installation - $5,000 (Granted, this is a fairly large system and you could charge more here than we would) Racking - $170 per panel Cabling - $65 per panel Balance of System = $24,505
Total - $38,424
Quote ($80,340) minus Balance of System ($24,505) divided by Solar Equipment Retail Value ($13,919) x 100 = 401% This means that the Solar Equipment is marked up over 400% from the retail value.
Wattsup Solar Example
It's unfair to do these sort of cost analysis without also giving ourselves the same treatment. This example isn't just made up for the purposes of this article, here's our Online Advertised Pricing - https://wattsupsolar.ca/pricing
17 x Enphase IQ8A = $5,204 Solar Equipment Retail Value = $7,305 Keep in mind an installer should be able to get this equipment for less than that (wholesale price).
We're missing some components - sometimes called "balance of system"; racking, cabling, and installation. If we use our numbers (2025) - (Note to visitors from out of province, local factors such as building permits, site plans, or even local electrical code interpretation can change these numbers)
Installation - $5,000 Racking - $170 per panel Cabling - $65 per panel Balance of System = $8,995
Total - $38,424
Quote ($17,325) minus Balance of System ($8,995) divided by Solar Equipment Retail Value ($7,305) x 100 = 14% This means that the Solar Equipment is marked up 14% from the retail value.
(If you're wondering why there's even this much markup, bear in mind we offer consumption monitoring and SolaTrim for free with our installations in 2025).
Evaluating solar quotes can be a daunting process filled with graphs, figures, return on investment calculations, miscellaneous photos, and marketing material. Here we'll break down and explain each section commonly found in solar proposals and why they're included.
Here you'll find your information along with very basic information such as the size of the system in DC. Quickly check the address and see if your solar salesperson has a name. If you run into any problems you need to know who to talk to.
Here you'll find a satellite image of your property and a layout of the panels superimposed on a roof. Depending on the quality of the image and the skill level of your contractor there may be mistakes or things that don't make sense here. If you have any skylights, vents, or obstructions, or if that area of the roof gets a lot of shade these are all things to mention to your contractor.
Also listed here is other important information:
DC System Size: This is the wattage of each panel added up. To get this, take the wattage of each panel and multiply it by the number of panels. For example, 24 Bauer 500W panels make 12.0 kW DC.
AC System Size: This is the wattage of each inverter(s) added up. Your quote may have one inverter per panel, or it may have one inverter for all the panels, or somewhere in between. The AC system size will always be lower than the DC system size typically by 20-35%.
For a more detailed explanation of DC:AC ratio, click here,
First Year Production: This is what the system is expected to produce in its first year. A well-designed system should produce roughly the same each year for 25 years. This measurement is always in kWhs.
Consumption Offset: This number represents the percentage of your power bill you can offset with solar power. It is a common misconception that a higher offset number is automatically a better quote. If the DC and AC size of the system is the same, and the layout is the same, then the two systems will produce the same amount regardless of the brand or type of equipment used. It is highly recommended that you check the first year production and consumption offset percentage against your existing power bill.
Check Your Power Bill On the bottom right-hand side of your NSP power bill is your past 7 bi-monthly bills. If you add up the last 6 of them in the energy used column, you'll get your annual kWh consumption. In this case, you get 18,122 kWhs per year. You can then check the "first year production" against your historical annual consumption and make sure the consumption offset is accurate. In this example, 12,881 kWhs divided by 18,122 kWhs gives 71% offset. Unless all of your solar contractors are using the same annual kWh usage, you can't compare the consumption offset. Even if you told two contractors that your bill is "about $200 per month," one may add the grid connection fee (currently $19.17 per month), and one might subtract it. Estimated Annual Efficiency This one isn't commonly seen on solar proposals, but it's useful to measure if a company is being accurate with their estimates. The measurement is kWhs per kW DC per year. You can work out this number even if it isn't explicitly stated by dividing the First Year Production by the System Size in DC.
A particularly inefficient system (a due east facing roof, for example) would be around 900 kWhs per kW DC.
An extremely efficient system (due south at 45 degrees) would be around 1,250 kWhs per kW DC.
The average in Halifax is 1,150 kWhs per kW DC.
article-5.jpg144 KB Graphs and Figures Here we get to all the graphs and figures. This is also where you'll see the widest range of numbers in your proposals, and to be honest, they're mostly meaningless. Grid Tied Solar as an Investment Assumes:
Your electrical consumption won't decrease.
Your utility will raise the rate on power over the next 25-35 years.
The system will be in perfect working order for the next 25-35 years.
Excess summer production can be used in the winter at a 1-1 rate - i.e., the utility pays you the same amount for your power as you pay them for their power.
The graphs and figures attempt to explain that summer production can be banked for winter and that over time the value of the kWhs you produce will increase as the utility increases the rates. The faster they raise the rates, the faster your system pays for itself and the more money you save over its lifespan.
Explaining Each Assumption:
Under the Self-Generation Offset Program (LINK), which is provincial law, if you produce more power than you use annually, the excess is not credited. Therefore it's quite important that your electrical consumption won't decrease drastically, or you'll be giving power away for free.
Historically, the rate has increased 3.5% per year for the last 10 years. However, the rate increase for the past 2 years has been 7%. We have no idea if this trend will continue, but the higher you put the "escalation rate" the better the proposals will look.
This is by far the biggest assumption and probably the only thing that can "go wrong" with a solar investment. The choice of equipment regarding panels, inverters, racking, and the company that installs it is what makes this assumption accurate or not. Check out our "Solar Tricks and Traps" guide where we break down the various marketing and sales tactics that are harmful to the customer.
Again, under the Self-Generation Offset Program, this assumption is protected by law (check out bill 145 for more information). If the law were to change in a negative way, it would likely grandfather in existing systems, but with Nova Scotia's culture for green energy and the heavy investment at all levels (municipal, residential, commercial, non-profits), as well as investment by the provincial and federal government, we don't anticipate this changing any time soon.
Payback Period This section can sometimes be confusing. A typical solar system takes somewhere between 9 and 12 years to produce enough power to pay for itself. This inflection point is called the "payback period," but it's different from a loan term length. This number can vary quite a bit. Things like battery storage, ground mount racking, or loan interest can increase the payback period. Rebates and incentives will decrease it. Wattsup Solar does not offer in-house financing as we think it's a conflict of interest, especially as the current Greener Homes Loan program offers 0% interest with a 10-year term. If you're financing through the CGHL program, you're swapping a power bill for a loan payment that will be slightly higher ($40-50/month) than what you were paying before. The only way to swap a power bill for a loan payment that is the same or less is by having a term length of 15 years or more. It is nearly impossible to get an unsecured loan with a term length greater than 10 years.
article-4.jpg124 KB Equipment Details This section should always be on a solar proposal. It should clearly state both the brand and model number of the equipment (both panels and inverters) you're being proposed. If a proposal leaves out this information, or makes it ambiguous as to which equipment you're buying, it's probably for a good reason—i.e., they don't want you to know.
When dealing with propane tanks, it's crucial to ensure they are placed safely, especially in relation to power meters. If you have propane tanks within 3 metres of your power meter, you need to verify certain details to maintain safety and compliance. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you check your meter and take necessary actions if required.
Identifying the Correct Meter
1. Locate the Sticker on Your Meter:
Look for a sticker on the front of your power meter. This sticker will have a blue strip at the top.
2. Check the Code on the Blue Strip:
On the blue strip, you should see the code C2SR. This indicates the specific type of meter you have.
3. Verify the 7-Digit Number:
Below the blue strip, there will be a 7-digit number. Ensure that this number ends in 569 (e.g., 3450569).
If the Meter Ends in 569: Great news! Your meter is fine to be close to the propane tanks. No further action is needed.
If the Meter Does Not End in 569: The meter will need to be changed to ensure safety. Follow the instructions below for this process.
Steps to Change the Meter
Contact Nova Scotia Power:
If your meter needs to be changed, the customer (property owner) must make the call to Nova Scotia Power.
Call the Provided Number:
Dial 1-800-428-6230 to reach Nova Scotia Power.
Navigate the Phone Menu:
When the recording begins:
Press 2
Then Press 4
Finally, Press 2
This sequence will direct you to the correct division to handle your request.
Conclusion
Always make sure to verify the type of power meter you have if you have propane tanks nearby. This simple check can prevent potential hazards and ensure compliance with safety regulations. If you find any discrepancies, don't hesitate to contact Nova Scotia Power for a meter change. Your safety is paramount, and these steps will help you maintain a secure environment.
Feel free to share this information with anyone who might need it, and stay safe!
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please reach out to us. We’re here to help!
Learn about the care and maintenance of Enphase Microinverters.
The Enphase Microinverter system requires virtually no maintenance and provides you with trouble-free energy production. However, there are steps you can take to help maintain system performance.
Monitor System Performance
Check Energy Production: Use the Enphase App to monitor and compare the month-to-month or year-to-year performance of your system.
Example: Use the Enphase App energy grid or generate a report and compare the energy production for one month to the same month in the previous year. If it is lower, consider factors such as cloud cover. If cloud cover is not a factor, perform a visual inspection of your array for debris.
Visually Inspect the Modules (Panels), Especially After Storms, Hail, and High Winds
Inspection Tips:
An inspection from the ground, with binoculars if needed, is usually sufficient.
Check the array for dust, debris, leaves, and other soiling. Clean solar modules generate maximum energy harvest.
Some geographic regions do not have much dust, debris, and pollution, so solar modules remain relatively clean and maintain optimum energy performance.
In other areas, rain and snow naturally clean modules and help maintain performance.
By following these steps, you can help ensure that your Enphase Microinverter system continues to operate efficiently and effectively.
What to Do When Your System Shows a Production Issue Error
Where Will You See the ‘System Production Issue’ Error?
If your system is experiencing production issues, the ‘System Production Issue’ error message will be displayed on the top right of the screen in the status tab of the Enphase App.
Steps to Troubleshoot a ‘System Production Issue’
As a system owner, follow this checklist to troubleshoot a ‘System Production Issue’:
Check the Weather:
Unusual weather may trigger a production issue if actual system production is below the estimated production, even though the system is functioning normally.
Check the recent weather in your area to determine if this is the cause.
If your system frequently flags a production issue due to weather, consider lowering the threshold versus the estimate to prevent frequent error messages.
Check Breakers:
Locate the load center, where all the circuit breakers are. It is typically found on the side of the house or building or in the garage.
Check if any of the breakers are tripped. If so, flip them back on and observe for 24 hours to see if production returns to normal.
Contact Support:
If the above steps do not resolve the issue, reach out to us or submit a support ticket.
