Project Description
The Our Power project grew out of efforts from a group of neighbours in Toronto who gathered information, evaluated installers and together, simplified their solar investment decision. Recognizing the overwhelming need for access to information about solar energy, TREC developed the service to help Ontarians learn more about their opportunity for a good investment through residential solar systems.
Our Power offers a customized online site assessment service that engages homeowners in a discussion about solar that is tailored to the specifics of their home. Our Power provides homeowners with:
- A clear understanding of the costs and benefits of a solar PV installation in the context of their home
- Web resources and a one hour phone consultation to answer questions
- Access to a list of reliable solar system vendors
- The confidence to make an informed investment decision
Please visit the Our Power website for more details.
Financial Benefits of Solar Energy
- Residential solar is a low-risk, dividend producing investment that offers competitive rates of return
- The investment is backed by a 20-year power purchase contract with the Ontario Power Authority through its microFIT program
- A normal 2 kilowatt system would generate $1750/year in revenue and offer an annualized 6% return on investment*
*Based on a number of conservative assumptions outlined at ourpower.ca
Social and Environmental Benefits of Solar Energy
- In Ontario, solar electricity directly offsets the dirtiest, most inefficient and most expensive mid-day natural gas and coal-fired power generation
- A 2 kilowatt system will displace up to 1.3 tonnes of CO2/year
- Solar energy technologies are more labour intensive/per installed unit of energy produced, creating jobs in your local community