I realize that this post has nothing to do about cars but given the regional nature of this forum I was wondering if anyone can recommend a company that installs residential solar panels in the GTA. Now back to cars....

 

Does your roof need to be replaced as well?

 

No. I just replaced it last year.

 

don't do it ...it is a scam...unless you just want to feel good

 

...maybe it's like buying a Toyoto Prius, after paying a premium price for a hybrid and the factoring future maintenance... is it worth it??? I guess it depends on what floats your boat.

I'm actually in the process of building a passive solar panel not an active one that you're probably refering to. It is to suppliment heating my coach house,...bought the instructions off the web.

 

Interesting comment. No offense, but do you hold this opinion based on fact or is it just an opinion without any credible basis?

 

It can be a big money saver. Pretty soon we are going to have electricity metered and priced depending on time of usage ( Burlington anyway) and unless we shift usage to off peak it's going to be pricier. There are solar water heaters and photovoltaic and the latter are expensive. The solar water heaters can produce very warm water even on overcast/rainy stormy days. A cousin has it on his home and on such a day it was preheating the water to the tune of 39C. His place has hot water radiant heating so it made a big difference.

 

I know it's a big outlay, but if u can afford it, i'd encourage you to do it....

..... I know we can't continue on this course forever....

 

Jim, let me guess,...in Europe right.

 

I spent a fair amount of time researching this for both business and personal use...the return is very nominal compared to other investments...also the impact is very minimal compared to amount of electricity used...also in Ontario we have contracts for the next at least 20 years to fulfil all our electricity needs from nuclear and coal...also electricity is cheap (on the spot markets it is free at night) the delivery is the cost. also if you instal they can cancel buying from you at any time (highly unlikely but makes investment not guaranteed)...also in Canada we don't get much sun and have snow to deal with unlike say Arizona.
so if like a prius you just want to think you are doing something good go ahead but if you really want to save the environment there are other choices

 

I appreciate the additional information. It turns out that location of my house and roof don't make it an ideal application so its all a moot point ....oh well....