Client Name: Humewood House
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Size: 11.76 kW (DC)
Date: Fall 2011
Module: Heliene 245 watt mono crystalline w/ SMA inverters

Humewood House, a young parent resource centre at Bathurst Street and St. Clair Avenue, is marking its 100^th anniversary by giving back to the community in a unique way.

Solsmart Energy Solutions installed a rooftop 48 solar panel microFIT solar system in September 2011.  The solar energy system will generate over 13000 kilowatt hours per year (kWh/y) of clean, green energy.

Humewood House offers pre and post-natal residential services to young pregnant and parenting women at its large and historic residence on Humewood Drive in mid-town Toronto.

Louise Moody, executive director of Humewood House, says the project “is a true reflection of Humewood House’s desire to make a difference in our community and provide a better future for our clients. This project will help us generate much needed dollars to support some of Toronto’s most vulnerable single parents and their children – helping us keep the lights on and the beds warm in a new and innovative way.”

According to Solsmart, the solar energy system installed at Humewood House uses Ontario-made components and will offset approximately 8 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂). The system will connect to the Toronto Hydro grid and will return over $10,000 a year to Humewood House, as part of a 20-year Feed-In Tariff contract with the Ontario Power Authority.

About Humewood House: Since 1912, Humewood House has helped Toronto’s most vulnerable single parents and their children make their way in the world.  In addition to helping young women give birth to healthy babies and transition into motherhood, Humewood House helps them plan and build goals for their future.  We offer pre and post-natal residential services, transitional housing, life skills, childcare, a high school program and counselling – all delivered by our highly qualified and dedicated staff in a safe and caring environment. www.humewoodhouse.com

About Solsmart: Based in Toronto, Solsmart is a full service provider of Solar Photovoltaic (Feed-In Tariff) and Solar Thermal systems for the residential, commercial and industrial rooftop markets. In business since 2004, Solsmart offers proven experience, quality workmanship and professional services to all of its clients. Our in-house team of designers, engineers, installers and electricians will help you maximize your solar investment. www.solsmart.com

For further information please contact:  Louise Moody, Executive Director, Humewood House (416) 651-5657

Performance Data: TBD

The 38 solar panel system will generate over $7,500/year in revenue for the next 20 years!

Performance Data: Connected

As Tyler Hamilton reported back in December, Ontario is going through a solar revolution.

We love all the excitement but find ourselves answering the same question… over and over… and over.

Question:

Do I sell ALL the energy produced by solar system OR only the excess energy I don’t consume?

Answer:

You get paid for ALL the energy produced by your solar system.

Plain and simple.

If you don’t believe me… here is a link to the OPA website.

Every single kilowatt-hour (kWh) produced by your solar PV system makes you money.  That is why the Feed-In Tariff is so much better than the alternative scenario, usually called “net metering”.  A second hydro meter is installed to count how much energy is produced.

- one meter that makes you money.

- one meter that costs you money.

There is a pretty picture on the Solsmart Grid-Tied page.

Hope this helps.

I feel better already!