While still waiting for my OPA contract offer, I am once again asking around for quotes. After all, it has been 6 months,  new participants entered the market, wholesale panel prices have changed (hopefully to the downside), and winter quotes long since exceeded their shelf life. So I am giving locally sourced turn-key solutions another chance. I also know a little more about my roof, about permitting, framing, roof penetration, wind and snow load requirements, taxes and depreciation, etc.

By pure chance, one of readers of this blog pointed me to his site, where a a 3 kW project is documented on a similar blog. Very cool stuff. Take a look here. Owner of the site pointed me towards his provider, Sun Volts Unlimited. I had them over at my place and was left with a very positive impression when the owner left. I am expecting a quote, so I am reserving my final judgement till I see it.

But on the surface, Sun Volts seemed more knowledgeable and leaps and bounds more experienced than most other people who came by to offer a quote.

• First of all, this is the first company I came across, that prices smaller, simple projects around 5-6 years to break even (this is usually quoted based on cost vs. payments, and does not include taxes and depreciation). Can’t comment on $/watt till I have my quote.
• Then, the owner of the company was at one time the president of Canadian solar industry association, CanSIA (?), and sounds very believable when he states that they have been installing solar systems for two decades. This compares nicely with the most recent wave of roofers or electricians who have been in (roofing) business for 20 years and suddenly, somehow turned into solar installers with a 20 year experience…
• During our first meeting I was presented with a 30 page guide on the various solar system components and product offerings, which is published by the company. Beats consultants who come in and leave one-page Andalay solar panel flyer, that you can find on the internet in 15 seconds.
• The guy presented me with a sheet full of references of happy customers, with their contact information. Could be a referral scheme – I’ll find out… after all I intend to be a referral customer in my area as well! But could be just happy customers.
• Most interestingly, these guys already installed close to 200 MICROFIT installations – compare this to guys who come in and say that “because this program is so new, we are just getting our own contract any day now”.
• Sun Volts sounded rusty on payment related questions, especially around business income and taxes, but this is really the new part, so that is understandable. Solar panels and energy in general is NOT a new thing so take that into consideration when you get this sort of answer from a solar service provider.
• Sun Volts was the first company to confirm with certainty that CRA CCA depreciation rate for solar panel projects is 50% accelerated (class 43.1). This was very exciting piece of information. Also, business scheme is perfectly valid and adds HST benefit – my previous thoughts confirmed.
• Their standard pricing brochure lists the following:
  • ~10 kW capacity installed goes for $65K
  • ~1.7 kW capacity installed goes for $14.5K
  • pricing scales from 7 to 5 years to break even, favoring higher end of microFIT capacity, for obvious reasons

As usual, draw your own conclusions, but these guys left me curious, so I wanted to pass their name along – no affiliation. Yet.

To see other reputable and established companies, check out Our Power. (thanks Julian).