Plug in solar

[Robin Davidson]

Hi, just wondering if anyone knows the Canadian situation regarding 'plug in solar'? This has been popular in Germany for a while and is now permitted in most, if not all, of the USA. There is generally a restriction on wattage you can plug in (~1200watts) but it's more practical, easier and more affordable for most people, especially condo dwellers!
Thanks

[Rob Beckers]

Hi Robin,

Can't speak for all of Canada, since jurisdictions and rules here are provincial, but for Ontario this would most definitely not be allowed. The rules for connection anything to the grid are very specific, and besides having to comply with code (not easy!) you would also need a net-metering agreement with your LDC (Local Distribution Company, for most in Ontario that would be Hydro-One).

That said, I have had chats with Hydro-One meter techs and asked if they ever look at or flag any accounts that do not have a net-metering agreement but show 'export' of power to the grid (smart meters register that). The answer was that they do not.

So, if you feel like rolling the dice there is that option! :nuts:

-RoB-

[Joe Blake]

I had a couple of sets of Lithium batteries from an old electric scooter, and I bought about 500w of solar panels and had an engineer friend set one lot of batteries up in 12 volt parallel, off the grid, with an MPPT controller. I run a few camping freezers and occasionally my computer of this set up via a stand alone 12 volt/ 240 volt inverter. The extra power generated means that, in summer time at least, I can leave the grid almost entirely.

[Robin Davidson]

So I contacted my MLA regarding these systems (since Utah passed legislation to allow them and I thought that Alberta may need to do likewise). My MLA passed my request on and I ended up speaking to a Electrical Technical Advisor at the Technical & Corporate Services, Alberta Municipal Affairs. I spoke with a lead technician who told me that as long as a plug in device meets the requirements of the Safety Council of Canada there is no reason I cannot plug a couple of panels into an outlet to feed into my home circuit. IMO I would need a dedicated outlet to a 20A breaker to avoid overloading any of the circuits.
I also contacted my electrical distribution company (Fortis Alberta), they are considering allowing plug in systems but are talking with Craftstrom in the US for further information on the systems they sell before Fortis will approve them (despite the tech guy saying I could do it anyway).
I'll wait for Fortis to get back to me before I do anything but maybe Solacity might investigate an opportunity coming here?