Residential Solar

Since 2009, FowlerSolar has installed more than 250,000 solar panels. We utilize Tier One Products, which are designed for commercial use and offer the industry's most extensive and comprehensive warranty, further supported by our 10-year labour warranty.

Generate Your Own Electricity in Ontario

At FowlerSolar, we excel in the design, installation, and construction of custom residential solar systems that cater to your specific energy requirements. Our all-inclusive services guarantee a smooth shift to solar energy, offering dependable and eco-friendly energy solutions. Whether your goal is to cut down on electricity costs, boost your home's energy self-sufficiency, or create a fully off-grid living solution, our skilled team is committed to providing top-notch installations that enhance efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Harnessing solar energy for residential use involves capturing the sun’s power to produce clean electricity, granting you energy autonomy and economic advantages. Our systems are expertly crafted to ensure peak efficiency and flexibility, whether you opt for a grid-connected system, an autonomous off-grid configuration, or a hybrid approach.

Net Metering involves several steps:

1. Photovoltaic cells capture solar energy and convert it to DC electricity.

2. A solar inverter then transforms the DC into AC electricity for household use.

3. The electrical panel distributes this electricity to power home electronics.

4. Any surplus power is fed back into the grid, earning credits for future use, tracked by a bi-directional meter.

Solar Tax Credit Ontario

The government of Canada has proposed to introduce a refundable tax credit on capital investments on: 

  • Electricity production systems, like solar panels
  • Low-carbon heating equipment
  • Stationary electricity storage systems 

This tax credit will be equal to 30 percent of the total cost of installing a solar power system till 2032. However, the credit amount will decrease after 2032, and homeowners can avail a 26 percent credit in 2033 and a 22 percent credit in 2034. 

To claim the solar tax credit, you should owe some federal taxes or have your income withheld for taxes. Remember that this credit is not a cash rebate or reimbursement. You can claim it for the year in which you installed your solar power system and possibly carry over your unused credits to upcoming tax years. 

 

Solar Battery Storage

Along with panels and inverters, solar battery is rapidly becoming an essential component of modern solar systems.

Solar batteries have many benefits and can be of critical importance for homeowners looking to protect themselves against power outages or become energy independent.

However, pairing solar with battery storage may not be a great fit for everyone, so it’s worth exploring the pros and cons.

The Basics of Solar Battery

At the most basic level, battery storage allows power produced by a solar system to be stored for use at a later time.

All solar systems produce power at different times than homeowners use it. Solar systems will typically overproduce during the middle of the day compared to what the homeowner needs. Without battery storage, this extra production is back-fed to the utility grid through a program called net metering.

By selling their excess power to the grid, homeowners accumulate credit that can be used to offset the power they draw in at night when the solar panels aren’t producing power.

The Benefits of Pairing Solar With Battery Storage

So, why pay for a solar battery when the grid is there to credit you for your excess power anyway? As it turns out, there are several key advantages to pairing your solar system with battery storage.

Protection Against Power Outages

For most homeowners, the single biggest benefit of solar batteries is the ability to have backup power during a grid outage.

If you have a solar system without battery storage and you experience a power outage, the solar system will automatically shut off. Electrical code requires that solar systems shut down during power outages so they don’t accidentally backfeed live power to the grid if the utility company has repair workers trying to fix the lines. 

By contrast, with a solar and battery system, an additional device called a backup gateway is also installed that allows the house to “island”, or isolate, itself from the grid. 

The moment the outage occurs, the gateway instantly detects the event, disconnects the home from the grid, and turns on the battery. The system then becomes a closed loop, where the battery powers the home’s backup circuits and the solar panels recharge the battery.

In this respect, solar batteries can function very similarly to home generators, except the time they can run for is a bit different. Solar batteries are far better in every measurable way. Check out our other article on the top ten reasons solar batteries are better than generators.

Time of Use Savings

Many utilities are moving towards time of use (TOU) rate plans for their residential customers. These rate plans more accurately reflect the changes in wholesale power prices throughout the day.

Typically, these plans have peak charges during the late afternoon and early evening, when demand spikes as everyone goes home after the workday and increases their power consumption. The off-peak times are during the middle of the day, when solar systems everywhere are producing excess power, and overnight, when demand is lowest.

Solar Battery Options

So, what are the options when it comes to solar batteries?

The most common batteries on the market today are the Tesla Powerwall, Growatt, LG Chem, and Sonnen. Check out our individual articles for deeper dives on each of these products.

Homeowners can also purchase multiple batteries if they want to. The right number of batteries depends on a number of factors, including the size of the solar system, the amperage of circuits that need to be backed up, and the desired backup duration.

Speak with one of our Energy Advisors if you’d like to find out the right combination for you.

The Future of Solar and Battery Storage

Solar batteries have become an important aspect of modern solar systems, and their importance will only grow over the coming years.

Battery capability will continue to advance as prices continue to fall. Electric utilities are increasingly turning to batteries to stabilize their grids, with some utilities even paying homeowners for access to their home batteries to dispense power to the grid when it’s needed most.

Without question, solar batteries are here to stay

Interest Free Loan up to $40,000

Learn More About Canada Greener Homes Loan

The energy savings from your geothermal or solar installation will help pay back your loan!

The interest free loans are part of the Canada Greener Homes Initiative. The loan can help you finance eligible products and installations, that are both recommended by an energy advisor and eligible under the Canada Greener Homes Loan

Grid-Tied Solar Systems

Grid-tied solar systems are connected to the local utility grid, allowing homeowners to use solar power when available and draw from the grid when needed. Excess energy can be sent back to the grid, often earning credits.

Hybrid Solar Systems

Hybrid solar systems combine grid-tied and off-grid features, allowing homeowners to use solar power, store excess energy in batteries, and still draw from the grid when necessary, providing maximum flexibility and energy security.

Micro-Grid Systems

Micro-grid solar systems are localized networks that can operate independently or in conjunction with the main grid. They are typically used in communities or large properties, offering enhanced energy resilience and independence.

Off-Grid Solar Systems

Off-grid solar systems are completely independent of the utility grid, relying solely on solar panels and battery storage to meet energy needs. They are ideal for remote locations where grid access is unavailable.