Is Solar For You?
Though  Solar is capable of  meeting 100% of your needs, a realistic goal would be:
- economically heating up to 60% of domestic hot water and up to 90% for a swimming pool.
- space heating of home, cottage, shop or store.
- generating electrical energy for lights and appliances
Solar retrofits for the typical house range upwards from $3500 for a solar thermal heating system and $5000 for solar electricity - depending on your needs. Keep in mind, that after the initial investment, solar can be much more economical than other energy alternatives. The amount of solar energy available depends on the orientation and angle of the panels, obstructions and size of solar array. Coupled with Wind Power total self sufficiency is achievable. A ground source heat pump would also be a good fit.

Drake LandingSolar Community
Okotoks Alberta
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How much energy you can produce is not just dependent on how much sunlight you get but also when you get it and how you use it.  For instance, even under cloudy skies solar electric panels deliver some energy. Using sunlight for "daylighting" works best in lightly cloudy skies. Solar water heaters work best when the water entering them is cold. Simply put, it depends on what you need and when, more than how much sun you get.

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