Are Solar Panels Worth it in BC?

As you can see all over the internet, solar panels are growing in popularity across the world. However, due to location-specific doubts, people still don’t know if going solar is good for them or not. In this blog, we’ll clear all solar panels-related queries of BC or British Columbia natives. These natives are always asking questions like are solar panels worth it in BC or are solar panels worth it in Vancouver? Let’s read and see if they are.

Are Solar Panels Worth it in BC?

Solar Panels are slowly and steadily being accepted into households. They have been around in the commercial and business sector for quite some time now but their application into the home segment is just starting to pick up. This sudden increase in its use is what has got people talking. And now people from all corners are asking if it is worth getting a solar panel or not. Now, since our focus today is on Canada, we will try and answer the question, are solar panels worth it in BC or not?

In BC, you can expect a solar panel to generate 1,000 kWh of energy per kW of device installed per year. So, if your system capacity is 20 kW then you can expect to get 20,000 kWh of energy from your solar panel. These figures might vary based on several factors, but you do get that the rough estimate is pretty high. Also, to put things into context a house in BC usually requires 11,000 kWh of electricity a year, so your electricity needs can easily be taken care of.

It is safe to say that your electricity bill will be taken care of because getting a solar panel will get you off the grid. On average, houses in BC use around 11,000kw of electricity each year, so if you have a system of this size, you can cover 109% of an average home’s energy bills for a year. And in the long run, your savings will add up and show you that getting a solar panel has benefitted you not just by helping you save money on utility bills but also added significant value to your home. So, to summarize in short, solar panels are worth it, not just in BC but almost anywhere and everywhere in the world.

Is Vancouver Good for Solar Panels? Are Solar Panels Worth It in Vancouver?

Vancouver has its fair share of dark, rainy, gloomy days. People start to think that investing in a solar panel becomes wasteful here because, on days like these, a solar panel goes to waste but that is far from reality. However, Vancouver has long summers and so the solar panels compensate for these months by producing more electricity in the summer months. So, it is more than okay to have a solar panel system for your home in Vancouver.

A solar panel would be worth almost anywhere and everywhere in the world. But if you can’t take our word for it, then we will answer the question are solar panels worth it in Vancouver or not just as we did above for BC.

A solar panel in Vancouver costs close to 3 dollars per watt and so you can expect to pay anywhere between 12k to 17k dollars with 14.5k dollars being the average price. When you include the tax credit the price could fall by multiple thousands. Considering a solar panel runs for more than 20 years it is a great deal since the payback period on this system of yours comes to 16.85 years.

To add to that your 20-year savings total up to almost 6k dollars. Based plainly on these numbers you would think that it is worth getting solar panels in Vancouver and you would be right in thinking so. Not only do your utility bills get taken care of, but you also end up coming out of the transaction with a profit. Next up, we will tell you how expensive are solar panels in BC so that we can set your budget accordingly. So, keep reading.

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How Expensive are Solar Panels in BC?

After learning that solar panels are worth it in BC, the next question a potential buyer will have is how expensive are solar panels in BC. Before we can determine the cost of a solar panel, we need to figure out the requirement. In BC most homes would need a solar power system with a capacity of 4 to 15 kW. And a solar power system for a home in BC will cost anywhere between 12 and 30k dollars. So, the answer to how expensive are solar panels in BC will come down to the capacity of the solar power system you opt for. Now, let’s also see how much does it cost to install solar panels in BC.

Also See: What are Solar Rebates in Victoria?

How Much Does it Cost to Install Solar Panels in BC?

We will see how much it costs to install solar panels in BC in this pointer. There are a few factors that affect the price of a solar panel and if you can work your way around these things then you can bring the cost of a solar panel further down.

1. Equipment

The size of the system is crucial in impacting the price of a solar panel. As the system becomes more efficient, the quality of the device improves, and the price of the device rises. Certain solar panels can produce more electricity with the same amount of sunlight and come with a longer warranty period.

Also Read: What is the Solar Site Safety Checklist?

2. Permits

As mentioned above, there are quite a few permits required before you can get a solar panel installed. These permits combined with labor that may be required to install, design, or engineer stuff add significantly to the costs involved.

3. Home-Based Factors

Certain factors such as your roof being north or south facing and your roof having a certain degree of tilt contribute to the costing factor. If you have to replace your roofs to accommodate solar panels, then your pocket takes a bigger hit.

So, based on these factors, you may expect to pay anywhere between 12k to 30k dollars for a solar panel in BC. But you should take into account that even the high costs don’t change the fact that the answer to the question are solar panels worth it in BC is yes. This explains how much it costs to install solar panels in BC.

Also See: How to Become a Solar Installer in South Africa?

Do I Need a Permit to Install Solar Panels in BC?

Are solar panels worth it in BC? They surely are but not without being a piece of work. If you are planning to set up solar panels in your home, then one question must have popped up for sure which is do I need a permit to install solar panels in BC? A lot of states and cities have rules and regulations in place regarding the installation of solar panels. You might be required to get various permissions and permits to be allowed to install solar panels at your home. This is the case at least for the people of Surrey in BC.

If you live in Surrey, then you are required to get a building permit for solar panel installation on an existing building. Apart from that you also need to provide: –

• Building permit application form.
• Owner’s authorization form if you aren’t the owner of the home.
• Schedule B from each Registered Professional submitting signed and sealed drawings.
• Schedule A, if more than one Schedule B is submitted.
• Architectural details of the solar panel installation comprising the components and specifications.
• Roof plan which shows the height, size, location, and setback from roof edges.
• The elevation of the building to show solar panel height relative to grade complies with zoning bylaws.
• A structural drawing of the solar panel loads and anchoring detail is then signed and sealed by a registered professional with Schedule B.
• Drawing of the plumbing to show if any alterations are to be made to the system.
• Electrical drawing of the solar panel installations that demonstrate that Canadian Electrical codes are being followed.

All components need to be CSA-approved and licensed contractors need to perform the installation. Once you have acquired a building permit only then can you get an electricity or plumbing permit. The planning division’s approval may also be required for obtaining a building permit. Hence, you have your answer to the question do I need a permit to install solar panels in BC or not?

With this, you should have understood if solar panels are worth it in BC or not. Although the panels are totally worth it in BC, the only issue is that their installation is a bit pricey. Additionally, in some parts of BC, you’ll also need to get approvals and permits to get solar panels installed. If these things aren’t a bother to you, then you can go for solar panels in BC.

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