To stop global warming and dangerous CO2 emissions we need to put coordinated and concentrated efforts in every part of the society- government, business, and the community. This includes all of us as homeowners. As homeowners, we can play a major part in keeping our planet green by getting smart, going solar and reducing our collective carbon footprint.
Today’s smart homes have energy-efficient appliances connected through the internet and you can turn on your light and heat before you reach your driveway and check on your kids from work. You can water your yard from another country. But to do all these your home needs energy and a solar system plus battery storage can provide you with that energy.
Air conditioning our homes takes an enormous amount of energy and dollars – not to mention keeping other appliances running when we need them the most. Our grid structures are failing,6 and many grids can’t handle increased power demands on a hot day.
New Dawn Energy can help to boost energy efficiency in your home and businesses. Our solar+battery system is optimized to give you control over your power usage. This means you get to see how much energy you use real-time and decide when and where the lights stay on.
And our solar+storage system allows you to use solar power stored in the battery when energy rates are at the highest. This helps to maximize the production of your solar panel, and your savings. Also, your neighborhood power outage or blackout, does not affect you and you determine what is powered in your home.
Solar+storage can be cheaper than diesel-powered generators. Between the low price of the unit itself, the higher capacity compared to other portable generators, more infrequent maintenance requirements, and zero fuel costs, this just makes financial sense.
Going solar can help lower your utility bills and be prepared for the inevitable power outage. Everyone struggles with rising energy prices, and to help combat these costs, more homeowners are choosing to become less reliant on the grid.
Embracing new technologies such as solar+battery storage can increase efficiencies in your home and help you with real long term savings. But shifting to solar plus battery storage can be overwhelming. So, start with New Dawn solar and begin saving on your monthly utility bill immediately.
Get a complimentary solar quote that is specific to your family’s energy needs and start building your smart home today. Our planet… will thank you.
The lead-acid battery has been around for over 100 years that costs less, requires regular maintenance to keep them working properly and doesn’t last as long.
Lithium-ion battery relatively newer technology with a longer lifespan, high power density, higher efficiency, does not require regular maintenance but costs more.
Both technologies are affected by discharge cycles, Lithium-ion has a significantly higher cycle life than lead-acid in deep discharge applications such as in solar. This disparity is further increased as ambient temperatures increase.
The cycle life of both chemistries can be increased by limiting the depth of discharge (DoD), discharge rate, and temperature, but lead-acid is generally much more sensitive to each of these factors.
In hot climates where the average temperature is 33°C, the disparity between lithium-ion and lead-acid is further increased. The cycle life for lead-acid (flooded and VRLA) drops to 50% of its moderate climate rating while lithium-ion will remain stable until temperatures routinely exceed 49°C.
Another critical consideration for lead-acid is how long the system will take to discharge. The shorter the discharge period, the less capacity is available from the lead-acid battery. A 200Ah lead-acid battery will only deliver 120Ah if discharged over a one hour period. In contrast, a 200Ah lithium-ion battery system will achieve over 184Ah. This condition makes lithium-ion very well suited for applications where full discharge occurs in less than eight hours.
Flooded lead-acid
VRLA lead-acid
Lithium-ion (LiNCM)
Energy Density (Wh/L)
80
100
250
Specific Energy (Wh/kg)
30
40
150
Regular Maintenance
Yes
No
No
Initial Cost ($/kWh) – prices are only a market average and estimate
With extreme weather events and other threats to energy security increasing homeowners and businesses are contending with the danger of losing access to reliable power supplies. Beyond emergency scenarios, unexpected blackouts during day and nights also increasing in numbers and durations.
It is estimated an hour of energy downtime costs companies from thousands of dollars for small companies to millions for large companies. Homeowners are also exposed to economic losses, which can be further worsened by dangers to family health and safety. Energy can storage plays a central role in the design of reliable backup and emergency power systems that protect homes and business operations when power is intermittent or completely unavailable.
According to the needs and affordability, homeowners can choose a backup system to back up critical loads like the refrigerator, a home medical device, a computer, cell phone charging, lights and the HVAC system using a subpanel, or entire home load using large battery bank. Many businesses also require back up of mission-critical systems such as servers, payment systems, refrigeration, and communications. Depending on their operations some businesses may need power for critical power for multiple days.
For customers who already have a diesel generator for backup power, integrating storage with generators reduce the number of hours generator need to run and the gallons of fuel they need to burn. In this scenario, the generator becomes a battery charging supply rather than a primary power source. Optimizing generator operation this way delivers a 50-80% savings in fuel and dramatically reduces noise, toxic pollution and increase energy security.
Among the battery technologies, Lithium-Iron Phosphate (LFP) have high efficiency, safety rating and low levels of self-discharge over time. This can play a key role in cutting diesel consumption by storing energy for a longer duration without degrading or losing power until that time that an end-user needs it.
Solar customers also benefit from storage during the plan and unplanned grid outages. Rather than shutting down the inverter when the grid goes down, batteries and the inverter charger enable homes and businesses with PV systems to ‘island’ from the grid and retain access to their own generation by creating a mini-microgrid for as long as the grid is unavailable. Depending on the requirements, battery banks can be sized to keep homes and businesses up and running safely and securely over the course of multiple days.
If you are thinking how much it would cost to have peace of mind with a storage system for your needs complete the Free solar Assessment request at our website or give us a call at 416-855-9377. We are one of the top solar energy companies providing solutions that are second to none. We provide solar plus storage hybrid energy solutions across Ontario including Toronto, Markham, Mississauga, Burlington, Oakville, Brampton, Vaughan, Ajax, Pickering, Whitby, Oshawa, Caledon, Stouffville, Richmond Hill, Newmarket, Aurora, Milton, Georgetown, and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
You may not think much about your electric bill payment every month. And if you do, you might think that is just the cost of living / doing business, right? Not exactly. Take a moment to think the energy you are likely paying for that room in your home/office no one ever uses, and you’ll definitely want to learn how to avoid these to reduce your energy costs.
By following simple steps to increase the energy efficiency at your businesses, you can lower your electric bill by hundreds to thousands of dollars every month. Here are a few simple changes you can make that can add up to short-term and long-term energy savings.
1. Get an energy audit
Energy audits can help you figure out where your money is going every month, how to increase energy efficiency and how to lower electric bills.
2. When not in use, turn off lights and equipment
This sounds very obvious, but you will be surprised to know many people do not do this and the amount of energy all those computers, monitors, printers and other devices consume while sitting there unused but still left on. By making sure they are in “sleep mode” or turned off completely overnight, you will not be paying for electricity you are not even using. One tip is to plug all these energy hogs into a single power bar, so you can turn them off at the same time on your way out the door. Also, make it someone’s nightly routine to take a quick tour of the offices and flip the OFF switch on idle equipment.
3. Take advantage of natural sunlight as often as you can
Let the sunshine in! Open the blinds around to make the best use of daylight—and take advantage of skylights or other natural light sources to reduce your lighting needs during daytime hours.
4. Install long-lasting LED bulbs
Replacing a single 60-watt incandescent bulb with an 8-watt energy-efficient bulb that is on for 10 hours a day can easily save a $1 or more each month. Multiply that out to an entire year—and by the hundreds (if not thousands) of bulbs in your business—and you’re talking about some serious savings. LED light bulbs not only use at least 75% less energy, and they also last 50 times longer than the average incandescent—up to 20 years – reduce the maintenance cost.
5. Use motion detectors and automatic dimmers that adjust to your needs
Lighting accounts for almost 20% of the electricity used in U.S. commercial buildings. Hence being a little bit smarter about when, where and how you use the lighting in your building(s) can add up to big savings. Consider installing motion detectors in hallways, meeting spaces and other places where “always-on” isn’t always needed—along with automatic dimming controllers that measure and adjust to the light levels you actually need.
6. Install programmable thermostats, and use them wisely
A programmable thermostat gives you the power to automatically adjust the temperature of your workplace when no one’s there. Set yours to turn the AC or heat on 30 minutes before people arrive and off 30 to 60 minutes before they leave. In warmer weather months, it’s a good idea to set your thermostat no lower than 78 degrees during office hours in order to reduce energy use. Then, during cooler weather periods, set your thermostat no higher than 68 degrees.
Keeping your office temperature just 1-degree cooler during winters and 1 degree warmer during summers can reduce the power you use by up to 10%!
7. Keep the heat in or out with screens, film and weather-stripping
While you might think that gentle breeze from your room window isn’t a big deal, it’s really money and energy flying right out the building—and it’s too easy a fix to ignore. Add or replace weather-stripping, caulk or foam around your windows and doors to save energy. Windows also let in the sun’s light and heat, which can make it more expensive to cool your office in warmer weather. Luckily, there are plenty of window treatments that can help you to reduce heat gain and increase energy efficiency, including solar screen window shades, awnings and high-reflectivity window films.
8. Purchase energy-efficient office equipment
When you need new equipment/appliances, be sure to look for the Energy Star logo. Energy Star-labeled fridges, washers, dryers, computers, monitors, printers, fax machines, scanners and copiers can run much more efficiently and automatically power down during extended inactivity. That can help you save 50% or more in energy use on these power-hungry devices. And, if your old heater or air conditioner is not working at maximum efficiency, it could draw unnecessary power, which also costs you money. Replace any old heaters and AC units with Energy Star models.
9. Consider alternative and renewable energy sources to help power your business
Using commercial renewable energy sources, such as solar and small wind, to power some or all of your business can help lower your business energy costs over time. Doing so also generates power that’s free of harmful CO2 emissions and other greenhouse gases. Based on a number of factors, there may never be a better time to invest in solar (or other sources of clean energy) to get the energy your business needs while paying less over the long term.
10. Keep your HVAC systems running smoothly
Change the filters on your HVAC equipment regularly, and make sure to have the units inspected and cleaned as often as recommended. Keep the areas in front of all vents clear of furniture and paper. As much as 25% more energy is required to distribute air if your vents are blocked.
If you are wondering how you can reduce your energy cost, we can help you from energy audit to implementing energy efficiency solutions. Request for your Free Energy Consultation at our website or give us a call at 416-855-9377. We are one of the top energy companies providing solutions that are second to none. We provide energy optimization, solar plus storage hybrid energy solutions across Ontario including Markham, Vaughan, Toronto, Mississauga, Burlington, Oakville, Brampton, Ajax, Pickering, Whitby, Oshawa, Caledon, Stouffville, Richmond Hill, Newmarket, Aurora, Milton, Georgetown, and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
The Government of Canada has launched the Climate Action Incentive Fund (CAIF), in support of small and medium-sized businesses in the renewable energy sector. It is a new incentive for businesses with fewer than 500 employees, who may be eligible for a refund up to $250,000 per project. For the province of Ontario, there are $102 million funds available. The CAIF incentive will help businesses be more productive while reducing energy costs and pollution. Application is being accepted from July 17, 2019 for 90 days, or until funding exhausted.
Eligible rebate amount Up to 25% of the project’s total eligible costs No less than $20,000 CAD and no more than $250,000 CAD per project and per recipient A $250,000 CAD funding cap will apply to the group of applicant franchisees who operate under the same franchise trade name in each eligible province Eligible project categories and sample activities
Electricity, energy or fuel production Solar photovoltaic, wind energy, micro-hydro, stand-alone storage systems that are on-site and for own-use Combined heat and power for own use Low-emission fuel production for own-use District energy (heating and/or cooling)
Agricultural retrofits Changes to agricultural processes to improve energy efficiency Fuel switching to lower-emitting energy sources in agricultural operations Other energy efficiency measures in the agricultural sector
Building retrofits Enhancements to building envelope (with direct energy savings), including energy-efficient windows/doors/skylights, increased insulation, weatherproofing, and glazing Energy-efficient lighting system Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment/systems/controls Water heating retrofits, including high efficiency condensing water heating High-efficiency motors and controls Energy management controls, including building automation systems Fuel switching to lower-emitting energy sources in existing buildings
Industrial process improvements Retrofitting and upgrading of existing equipment used for industrial processes Fuel switching to lower-emitting energy sources Process changes Waste-heat recovery
Transportation retrofits Heavy-duty vehicle retrofits, including energy efficiency and/or fuel switching to lower-emitting sources Marine vehicle retrofits, including energy efficiency and/or fuel switching to lower-emitting sources
Waste Energy efficiency measures in waste management
Contact us, we can help you apply now to reap the benefits for your business and improve the Bottomline!
An inverter is the most critical component of a solar power system. A grid-tie inverter performs many functions than any other component in a solar power system. The functions an inverter need to perform continue to grow as the solar power systems get smarter and increase interaction with the utility grid.
Here the key functions a grid-tied inverter perform
Power conversion from AC – DC The main function of an inverter is power conversion – convert the direct current (DC) power that solar panels generate to alternating current (AC) power that is normally used in homes and businesses or fed directly into the grid in case of a utility-scale solar power system.
Maximize power generation Inverters continuously track the solar array’s voltage, current and identify an operation point to generate the maximum power from the solar array.
Interface with the grid Grid-tied inverters have advanced from one-way communication to two-way communication with the grid and assist with grid-support functions. With advanced software, smart grid-tied inverters can perform grid-supportive functions related to voltage, frequency, communications, and controls.
Monitor the function of the solar power system Inverters make it possible for solar owners to keep track of the power output of their solar systems. Most inverters have communications capabilities via hardwired ethernet, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Through this communication connectivity data stored in the inverter is uploaded to a monitoring portal which in turn enables solar power system owner, installers to monitor the performance of the solar power system and take appropriate actions proactively.
Ensure safe system operation An electrical arc can cause fire hazard and material degradation. Grid-tie inverters are programmed to identify these arcs and shut down the inverter to enable safe operation.
Inverters are made up of many electronic components and perform numerous tasks, they are more likely to fail than other components of a PV system. Micro. string and central inverters come with different pros and cons, but string inverters are more easily serviceable when a failure happens.
If you are thinking of what kind of inverter to use with your solar power system and how much it would cost complete the Free solar Assessment request at our website or give us a call at 416-855-9377 we will guide you every step of the way.
We provide solar plus storage hybrid energy solutions across Ontario including Toronto, Markham, Mississauga, Burlington, Oakville, Brampton, Vaughan, Ajax, Pickering, Whitby, Oshawa, Caledon, Stouffville, Richmond Hill, Newmarket, Aurora, Milton, Georgetown, and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
Adding a battery to your existing solar power system is not always an easy task. If your solar power system was installed storage-ready, adding the battery could be easy but with the rapid advancements of solar-plus-storage in the last few years, it is unlikely many old solar systems can easily accommodate battery connection. But that does not mean it is impossible; there are just a few important questions you must answer before starting a retrofit solar-plus-storage installation project.
What is your inverters make and model?
The inverter used on an existing solar panel system will dictate how a battery can be added to an existing solar power system. Solar-plus-storage systems are either AC-coupled or DC-coupled. AC-coupled systems require an additional, separate inverter to charge the batteries. DC-coupled systems use a charge controller to feed the power from the solar array to the batteries and then through an inverter for grid-tied use. For example, existing systems with microinverters which make the DC-AC conversion at the panel-level will need an AC-coupled system for storage, since the battery cannot be incorporated into the DC lines before AC-conversion.
To accommodate energy storage in an AC coupled system, existing grid-tie inverters must have frequency control capability. If the existing older inverters cannot frequency shift, they should be replaced to add batteries. Adding new inverter that can regulate charges is the only way to include storage on this type of existing solar PV system. Inverters are usually warrantied to 5 /10 years. If the inverter is approaching its warrantied lifespan, it’s a good idea to upgrade. It may be advantageous to replace the inverter with an inverter designed to accommodate storage to enable options to integrate storage immediately or in the future.
Why do you want to add storage?
Another question to answer – is your storage solution for emergency power? Or to store excess energy produced by solar during the day, so that it can be used in the evening when the sun goes down? Or in places with a TOU tariff, charge the batteries with solar or grid power when rates are cheap and discharge the batteries when power is most expensive. Depending on your objective, it is important to have an inverter that allows for your specific storage need and an appropriately sized battery bank to support your power needs.
Who owns the solar system?
Another question to answer – is your existing solar PV system owned by you or leased? If you have full ownership adding storage is easy. If your existing solar panel system leased it may have restrictions on adding certain equipment. Typically leased solar power systems have a wide range of restrictions as to what changes can be made to the home or business and its electrical loads. Adding energy storage may be prohibited by lease terms.
If you are thinking of adding energy storage to your existing solar PV system and much it would cost to have peace of mind with a solar plus battery power system complete the Free solar Assessment request at our website or give us a call at 416-855-9377.
We are one of the top solar energy companies providing solutions that are second to none. We provide solar plus storage hybrid energy solutions across Ontario including Toronto, Markham, Mississauga, Burlington, Oakville, Brampton, Vaughan, Ajax, Pickering, Whitby, Oshawa, Caledon, Stouffville, Richmond Hill, Newmarket, Aurora, Milton, Georgetown, and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
As the power outages and utility rates increase, it becomes necessary for businesses and homeowners to have a backup system to meet these emergencies.
Currently, many who need backup opt for a generator to meet their needs created by the unexpected power outages. But a generator introduces many expenses and undesirable environment.
With generator backup, many suffer badly from the noise and smelly gases exhausted by the generators. Exhausted gases are not only smelly but also harmful to the environment and create health hazards. Generators also need to be operated monthly basis even when there is no power outage to ensure their proper operation and serviced by a generator company approved service person to maintain the generator warranty.
With the reduction in solar and storage prices solar battery storage energy systems are becoming popular as backup power systems for providing electricity for many applications.
With solar battery backup system, the excess energy generated by solar during daylight hours can either be stored in the batteries for later use or sold back to the grid. Both the grid and the solar array can charge the battery of a solar battery power system.
A generator backup is used only when there is a power outage, in contrast, a solar battery backup power system is used on a daily basis for smart energy management. Solar battery power system allows the user to choose how much solar generation goes into the battery and how much goes back to the grid as well as at what time it is sold back.
The utility rates are different depending on the time of day which means that energy can be bought from the grid during low-cost hours stored in the battery and used during high-cost hours. Unlike generators, solar battery power system does all these without making any noise or releasing any harmful gases. Many of our customers are thrilled with how well the system performs and how quite their house compare to running a generator.
If you are wondering how much a solar installation would cost to offset the electricity bill, and have peace of mind with a solar battery power system complete the Free solar Assessment request at our website e or give us a call at 416-855-9377. We are one of the top solar energy companies providing solutions that are second to none. We provide solar plus storage hybrid energy solutions across Ontario including Toronto, Markham, Mississauga, Burlington, Oakville, Brampton, Vaughan, Ajax, Pickering, Whitby, Oshawa, Caledon, Stouffville, Richmond Hill, Newmarket, Aurora, Milton, Georgetown, and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
A hybrid energy system usually consists of two or more energy sources used together to provide increased system efficiency as well as greater availability of energy supply. The intensity of solar radiation and wind can change randomly, and electricity generated from these resources will also change randomly without any notice. With the increased amount of power generation from solar and wind, energy storage is becoming increasingly important for reasons including the availability of power, grid stability, energy management as well as demand reduction.
There are many different energy storage technologies – mechanical, pumped storage, thermal – molten salt, and chemical-batteries. Each type of storage has unique characteristics that differentiate them from others, as well as the types of power sources with which they can be integrated.
Chemical storage systems are generally battery-based systems that use chemical reactions to store and convert energy. Battery-based storage systems had been widely in use in many small to midsize day to day applications. Now Lithium ion batteries based storage systems have become the choice for large scale day to day applications.
With regularly rising and tiered utility rates more and more people are choosing to invest in hybrid solar energy systems which provide them with both stable power and energy savings. In areas where the utility grids are not stable, hybrid solar energy systems are the ideal solution currently on the market. Acting as a backup when the grid is down, and allowing owners to send excess power back to the grid when there is excess energy.
With a solar hybrid system with battery backup, the excess energy generated during daylight hours can either stored in the batteries for later use or send back to the grid. Hybrid inverters have smart electronics on board that allow the user to choose how much solar generation goes into the battery and how much goes back to the grid as well as at what times. Smart hybrid inverters also enable the customers to buy from the grid during low-cost hours and send back to the grid during high-cost hours. Solar alone cannot do this; the battery in the hybrid system is what makes this possible to do all these.
In the case of the hybrid solar PV system, both the grid and the solar array can charge the battery. The hybrid inverter allows the user to choose how much of either one will flow into the battery. Some hybrid inverter systems can connect to 3 different power sources, the grid, the solar array, and a generator. They are each controlled by the hybrid inverter and are utilized based on the user’s settings during commissioning.
We are one of the top solar energy companies providing solutions that are second to none. We provide solar plus storage hybrid energy solutions across Ontario including Toronto, Markham, Mississauga, Burlington, Oakville, Brampton, Vaughan, Ajax, Pickering, Whitby, Oshawa, Caledon, Stouffville, Richmond Hill, Newmarket, Aurora, Milton, Georgetown, and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
People looking for solar options often puzzled with terms kilowatt and kilowatt-hours. Electricity used is measured by kilowatt hour and the solar power systems are sized in kilowatts. This is where questions often come about kilowatts and kilowatt-hours.
So what exactly does a kWh mean and how does it differ from a kilowatt (kW)?
A kilowatt is a measure of how much power (capacity) a device can provide; kilowatt-hours define the amount of work performed in one hour of time or amount of energy used to do that work. A 1.5 kilowatt (1500 W capacity) kettle will boil the same amount of water faster than a 1 kilowatt (1000 watt capacity) kettle. Regardless of the power of the kettles, energy needed to boil the same amount of water is the same. In this case, energy is provided by electricity and the amount of electricity used by both kettles to boil the water is the same.
Energy use and kWh in context
Say 1.5 kilowatt (1.5KW) kettle took 0.5 hours (30 minutes) to boil the water, electricity used = 1.5 X 0.5 = 0.75 kwhr; unit of measure for electricity (energy) is kwhr. We know smaller kettle takes longer to boil the water; how long? We know electricity (energy) used by both kettles are the same; 1 X T = 0.75, T = 0.75 hours (45 minutes), 1-kilowatt kettle will take 45 minutes to boil the same amount of water.
Why kWh matter when you’re going solar
The Net Metering program allows offsetting the electricity purchased from the utility company with solar electricity during twelve consecutive months. To do this as solar energy solutions providers we need to size the solar power system that is able to produce the amount of electricity a customer use in twelve consecutive months. Electricity bill report usage in kwhr, and when evaluating solar installation to offset this electricity we talk about the size of the solar power system needed in kW.
In the earlier example, we talked about how a 1,000-watt kettle will use 1 kilowatt-hour in one hour of use. When talking about solar, the process of converting power capacity (watts) into expected energy output (kWh) is not as simple due to a number of factors. One thing is certain: a kettle will consume power at a constant rate regardless of whether or not you live in Toronto or California, if it’s raining or if it’s placed on a certain type of countertop. Whereas solar panels output is greatly affected by the environment and circumstances it is installed.
Factors such as the angle and orientation of the roof and the amount of sunlight hours in the town solar panels are located will significantly impact how much electricity it will produce. So, for example, a solar panel on the north side of a roof will produce than the same panel on the south side of the roof because south facing roofs typically receive higher sunlight exposure.
Those wondering how much a solar installation would cost to offset the electricity bill, complete the Free solar Assessment request at our website e or give us a call at 416-855-9377.
We are one of the top solar energy companies providing solutions that are second to none. We provide energy solutions across Toronto, Markham, Mississauga, Burlington, Oakville, Brampton, Vaughan, Ajax, Pickering, Whitby, Oshawa, Caledon, Stouffville, Richmond Hill, Newmarket, Aurora, Milton, Georgetown, and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
There are many different energy storage technologies – mechanical, pumped storage, thermal – molten salt, and chemical-batteries. Each type of storage has unique characteristics that differentiate them from others, as well as the types of power sources with which they can be integrated.
People looking for solar options often puzzled with terms kilowatt and kilowatt-hours. Electricity used is measured by kilowatt hour and the solar power systems are sized in kilowatts. This is where questions often come about kilowatts and kilowatt-hours.