It’s time for the final post in our solar panel saga. As we all know, going green costs green. Today, I’m going into the numbers (in a slightly artistic fashion).
Read on to find out how much our solar panels cost, how many kilowatts they produce and all of the other details for our solar system.
Obviously, our solar array and its associated dollars and cents are specific to the Ontario microFIT program. I expect some of our numbers will translate, though, for others who are setting up their own systems.
The last outstanding part of our solar project is to receive our first payment from the hydro company. I have to say I’m looking forward to moving on to the payback stage of this project.
Home on 129 Acres 
Great display! Well explained and a very huge project for you. I hope it meets all of your expectations.
Love, as always,
Auntie Anne
So far, so good!
Do solar panels have any maintenance? Do you have to clean them or anything like that?
I love your visual!
The maintenance is really about keeping an eye on the meters to make sure all of the panels are producing properly. We’ve found the panels get a bit dusty, just from all the dirt in the air, but they seem to wash off pretty well in the rain. We’ve been told we don’t have to clean them (and have been given no clues as to how we would), but this is one of the items Matt frets about. He doesn’t want anything disrupting the production! The biggest unknown is the snow. We’re hoping it will melt and slide right off.
Wow! Thanks so much for sharing this! We’ve been wondering about solar panels for a while, but could never get real numbers (both costs and revenues). I wonder how installing panels might jeopardize our new roof’s warranty?
Obviously this is less concern on our barn roof, but we were told that they actually help to protect the shingles, so they prolong the life of your roof.
Oh, and what is the life expectancy? 10 years? 15 years? more?
The panels will last beyond the life of our contract (20 years). Our contractor advised that they should produce for 25+ years.
That’s an amazing project. For some reason it just seems so exciting that you’ll be generating your own power!
It’s really neat. A kind of science experiment on the roof of the barn.
That’s such great info to have! Man, you’re so well-versed in this now! I know who to come to with questions when we make it out of suburbia and into farmland!
I didn’t know farmland was a dream for you too! Any questions, any time. Ask away.