Should You Go Solar? A Super Helpful Beginner's Guide to Home Solar Power

In this video, we’re taking a closer look at solar power systems for homes. Solar power is often associated with living off-grid, but surprisingly there are a lot more people installing solar panels on homes that are connected to the grid. We met up with Albert from iSolara to learn about:

- Why people are installing solar at home: cost savings, sustainability, security
- The basic components of a solar power system: solar panel, inverter, racking system, battery
- Installation options for panels: roof mount, ground mount
- Costs and money-saving opportunities like net metering
- Important considerations including some of the risks to keep in mind when going solar: snow, ice, orientation, location

To find out more about iSolara, you can check out their website here:

We want to say a huge thank you to Albert and the iSolara team for helping us make this video, including their clients who let us film in and around their homes :)

Some extra resources if you're interested in going solar:

Canada Greener Homes Grant:

Canada Greener Homes Loan:

And you can also check out the Build with Rise website for rebates on all kinds of sustainable home upgrades in Canada and in the US:

Thanks for watching!

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COMMENTS
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We want our channel and comments section to be an inclusive space where everyone feels welcome to watch and contribute. For this reason, inappropriate or hateful comments will be reported and/or deleted.

Please discuss and debate respectfully, and report inappropriate or hateful comments directly to YouTube.

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CREDITS
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Music Credits: Exploring Alternatives

Editing Credits: Exploring Alternatives

Filming Credits: Exploring Alternatives

Photo Credits: Project photos provided by Albert from iSolara

#solarpower #residentialsolar #homesolar

[ExploringAlternatives]

Thanks for watching! You can follow and find out more about iSolara here:

[b_uppy]

Instead of conventional roofing material on carports, terraces, porches, etc substituting them for bifacial solar panels reduces general costs, reduces heat issues/adds to solar panel efficiency, is more pleasing esthetically etc.

[town]

I would advise going battery for the simple fact that many states are trying to charge for the energy you use from your OWN solar. Go off grid as much as possible.

[shamsiqbalrhone]

Very well explained all the questions that might pop up in our head!

Thank you exploring alternative team and the guest.❤

[extraart]

I wish all YouTube videos were as educational and concise as this one- excellent!

[PhiltonPhillips]

Dear exploring alternatives, please consider adding the new super thank you tipping option on your videos, as I have occasionally enjoyed them so much that I wanted to tip you both for the helpful information! You guys are the best, keep the quality content coming!! Thanks!!

[drsmbrownlee]

Thanks so much for this! This is one of the most succinct and thorough overviews I've seen. Great work.

[TheLinKrust]

Such an interesting video - I live in South Australia and 70% of the state’s electricity is from solar (and a HUGE amount comes from house mounted systems). I’d love to see something like Rewire Australia in my neighbourhood!!

[cathylynnpietranton]

Thank you so much Matt and Danielle. This was very interesting and informative. ❤

[bleh]

I'm so glad to see solar continue to improve. I hope to be fully or minimum 80% off grid some day. And I can't wait to see what kind of options there'll be 😆

[tumbleweed]

Consider scaling back your power use to reduce overall cost. Example air dry clothes or use largest draws by day.

[keliblum]

Great video I would love to see more like this. 😊

[CherokezPittman]

Reply: "Wow, I just watched the video titled "Energy" and it's great to see how much power the Segway Portable PowerStation Cube Series can provide! The features like massive capacity, fast recharging, and waterproof technology really make it a reliable choice for outdoor enthusiasts like us. It's definitely worth considering for camping trips or as a backup power source at home. Thanks for sharing this recommendation!"

[bradbates]

This really seems to cover a lot of the issues quite thoroughly. Maybe every home on the planet needs this if we really want to slow down climate change.

[Freetheworldnow]

I have been off grid for almost 15 years.
My inverter has died twice due to lightning. A thousand dollar repair each time, leaving me at the mercy of a gen set while waiting for the repair to be done.
My inverter does not come with a built in surge protector.
If yours does not have one, then I recommend to install an after market unit.
This is my biggest recommendation to anyone considering a solar system.
My second recommendation is to go for a 48 volt system. The higher the voltage the better.
Do your own research on batteries, as there are a lot of options out there and most being easily accessible.

[strongsus]

Thanks so much for the information 🎉 from South Africa

[RedRuffinsore]

My biggest concern is hail. I am on my 3rd roof in the past 4.5 years due to hailstorms. The solar power firms claim they will withstand hail, but recent pictures of most of a solar farm destroyed by hail has me questioning it.

[ASOLAR]

Nice video. Would be great to see more about hybrid systems both off-grid/grid-ties and wind and solar hybrid power. I like your content.

[dannywhite]

I'm on solar because the Australian electricity prices are through the roof. I have a generator for backup.

[joewoodchuck]

I don't care much about selling my excess power, so I'd keep it simpler and cheaper to just run home stuff. Excess power can make hot water or power some winter heat.