In the past, solar power was seen as an expensive luxury. But with the rising cost of oil over the last year, it now makes more sense to invest in solar energy, said Boyle.It’s not just that the price is dropping, the technology is improving as well.
“This winter is going to be a big deal for a lot of people when they start to fill up their oil tanks and it goes from $700 to $1,500, maybe more,” said Boyle. The process took about eight months from start to finish. Gallant had to pay for inspections to his home and now pays a monthly lease of $140 for the panels.“When you get your electrical bill and it’s about $36, it’s a pretty good feeling, and that’s with a hot tub, too.”
“When you get your electrical bill and it’s about $36, it’s a pretty good feeling, and that’s with a hot tub, too.”The best advice is to plan well ahead of time. If the goal is to have panels installed by spring, start in August and have the paperwork done by October. Staying in communication with contractors is important as well, as with the high demand it can be easy to get overlooked.
Last year, 66.3 per cent of the Island’s energy was purchased through NB Power. In addition, 13.7 per cent was nuclear energy, net metering made up 0.4 per cent and diesel accounted for only 0.1 per cent.The shift to solar energy is not just happening commercially. This year, the city of Summerside invested $69 million towards the construction of Sunbank solar farm, an 85-acre lot which will include more than 48,000 panels by the end of the year.