deltacron – Deltacron Technologies Inc

Lithium-Ion vs Lead-Acid Batteries: Choosing the Best for Off-Grid Energy Storage

When it comes to off-grid energy storage, two popular battery options are lithium-ion and lead-acid. While both have their advantages, significant differences make one more suitable for specific applications.

Performance Comparison

Lithium-ion batteries stand out for their high energy density, making them ideal for space-constrained applications such as solar panels or electric vehicles. They also charge and discharge faster, suitable for inverters and power tools that require quick bursts of power. Additionally, lithium-ion batteries maintain a constant discharge voltage, ensuring an efficient power supply.In contrast, lead-acid batteries have a lower energy density and slower charge and discharge rates. However, they are more resistant to damage from deep discharge and temperature fluctuations, making them suitable for less demanding applications.

Cost Considerations

Lead-acid batteries have a lower upfront cost, making them more accessible to those on a budget. However, lithium-ion batteries offer long-term cost savings due to their longer lifespan (5-10 years compared to 3-5 years for lead-acid) and reduced maintenance requirements.

Lifespan and Maintenance

Proper maintenance, such as keeping the battery fully charged and protecting it from extreme temperatures, can extend its lifespan. Lithium-ion batteries typically outlast lead-acid batteries, requiring less frequent replacements.

Efficiency

Lithium-ion batteries boast an impressive 92% energy storage efficiency, outperforming lead-acid batteries (85%). This means lithium-ion batteries require less solar electricity to fully charge, making them a more efficient choice.

Environmental Impact

Lithium-ion batteries are generally considered more eco-friendly due to their longer lifespan, energy efficiency, lower toxicity, and easier recyclability. Lead-acid batteries, made from toxic lead, pose environmental risks, although widespread recycling programs help mitigate this issue.

Choosing the Right Battery

When selecting a battery for off-grid energy storage, consider your specific needs. Lithium-ion batteries are ideal for high-power applications, space-constrained settings, and those seeking long-term cost savings. Lead-acid batteries offer a budget-friendly option for less demanding applications.Ultimately, understanding the differences between lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries enables informed decision-making for efficient and effective off-grid energy storage.

Unlocking Renewable Energy: The Power of Battery Storage

As the world transitions to renewable energy sources, battery storage technologies play a vital role in replacing fossil fuels. Battery storage systems will play an increasingly pivotal role between green energy supplies and responding to electricity demands.
Battery storage, or Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), enables energy from renewables (solar, wind) to be stored and released when needed.

Battery storage, or Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), enables energy from renewables (solar, wind) to be stored and released when needed.

Why is Battery Energy Storage Important and how it works

Battery Energy Storage (BES) plays a key role ensuring homes and businesses can be powered by green energy, even when the sun isn’t shining or the wind has stopped blowing. Battery storage systems harness energy from solar and wind power, storing it for release when needed. Advanced software algorithms and computerized control systems optimize energy production, storage, and release. During peak demand, stored energy is dispatched to the grid, ensuring a reliable and cost-effective supply.Battery storage is essential for integrating renewable energy into the grid. By capturing and storing excess energy, battery storage systems can:

Reduce production costs
Support net-zero carbon goals
Enhance energy security
Increase the value of clean energy

Benefits and Savings

The EU community estimates that battery storage and other low-carbon technologies could save the energy system up to $40 billion by 2050, leading to lower energy bills.

Emerging Storage Technologies

While lithium-ion batteries dominate the market, researchers are developing alternative storage solutions:While lithium-ion batteries dominate the market, researchers are developing alternative storage solutions:

Compressed air Energy Storage – With these systems, generally located in large chambers, surplus power is used to compress air and then store it. When energy is needed, the compressed air is released and passes through an air turbine to generate electricity.

Mechanical gravity energy storage – One example of this type of system is when energy is used to lift concrete blocks up a tower. When the energy is needed, the concrete blocks are lowered back down, generating electricity using the pull of gravity.

Flow batteries – In these batteries, which are essentially rechargeable fuel cells, chemical energy is provided by two chemical components dissolved in liquids contained within the system and separated by a membrane.

Determining your Solar Potential

A solar PV system can either be affixed to your rooftop or to the ground (e.g., in your backyard). A professional installer can provide advice on the optimal location and configuration of the system on your property. How much energy your system can generate depends on several factors

SOLAR POTENTIAL: Your installer will assess your roof and/or yard size and survey the area for any obstructions, both current and future. A professional assessment, including the measuring of solar irradiance (how much sunlight falls on your roof or yard) is required to estimate your potential system production. If you intend for your solar panels to be installed on your rooftop, generally speaking you will need at least 3.7 m (12’) x 3.0 m (10’) of unobstructed area (clear of chimneys, roof vents, skylights, gables and other protrusions) and without significant shading from neighboring buildings or trees. The optimal orientation of rooftop solar panels is North-facing (if you are in the southern hemisphere) and South-facing (if you are in the southern hemisphere), but east- and west-facing orientations can provide around 70% of the output of a south-facing and/or North-facing solar PV system.

ROOF CONDITION: If you intend to install panels on your rooftop, the roof covering (e.g., shingles) should be less than 10 years old, so that the solar PV system can remain in place for the duration of its warrantied life (e.g., 25 years). It would not make sense to remove and re-install solar panels and racking in order to replace or repair the roof covering. Since 2012, the standard for “solar-ready” roof construction in North America and Africa has been a load limit of 5 lbs per square foot from the solar panels, racking and other equipment. It is important to verify that your roof is able to withstand this load, particularly if you live in an older home.

CALCULATING YOUR SOLAR PV SYSTEM’S POTENTIAL OUTPUT, AND YOUR ENERGY NEEDS: As the weather is not always consistent from year to year, production from your solar system can vary over time. Your installer should be able to offer some averaging factors for the fluctuation.

In addition, your solar system can produce power for well over 20 years, so you will need to account for any future obstructions: Is that sapling going to branch over your solar panels in a decade? Are the neighbors planning an addition that will shade your roof? Having a conversation with neighbors is a good idea before you begin.

Finally, your electricity consumption may change over the years as well. Purchasing an electric vehicle or using your AC system or electric heating will increase your usage. You may also be taking measures to reduce your usage by switching to energy-efficient appliances or LED lightbulbs. These decisions may affect the overall size of your system in the end.

Net-Metering

If your solar PV system generates more electricity than your home is using at any given time, the extra electricity is exported to the local grid for others to use.

With a Net-metering System,you can save by exporting to the grid

During times when your solar PV system isn’t producing as much electricity as you are using, your home would continue to draw electricity from the grid as normal. Net metering allows you to sell excess power generation beyond your consumption back to the utility company at the same rate per kWh that you buy from them, on a 1:1 basis. Most jurisdictions and utilities in North America and Zambia offer net-metering to residential customers. Under a “net billing” system, you are compensated for surplus generation at a different per-kWh rate than what you pay for electricity you consume from the grid.

Choosing an installer

BEFORE CHOOSING A SOLAR INSTALLER...

Consider obtaining more than one quote, especially if an installer was not referred by someone you trust or is not well known to you. Written quotes should cover all the components and installation and make clear what, if any, costs you will be responsible for on top of the installer’s quote. Here are some key elements you should discuss with your contractor and ensure are included in a quote:
- Costs of stamped engineering drawings.
- Costs of obtaining necessary permits
- Maintenance costs and warranty support.
- Any available incentives, and assistance with applying for them.
- Any additional components or materials not included in the package price.
Contact your insurance provider to check if the installation of a rooftop solar system will have implications for your home insurance.
Make sure that the installer you are considering has experience in dealing with local utilities and understands all relevant incentive program rules.
Check if the installer has training for the products from the manufacturers that they have specified in your quote. Your Installer should be advising you on:
- Inverter selection: Select compatible and efficient inverters.
- hardware selection for your specific roof: Ensure compatibility and durability.
- Panel selection: Choose efficient, durable, and certified panels.
If possible, check references by speaking with former customers, as well as researching online reviews. Web reviews and recommendations can be a great way to find the right contractor for you, but keep in mind that there can often be two very different stories for any negative reviews.
You should also ensure that any subcontractors the installer plans to use have the proper qualifications and the insurance needed to properly complete the work. Remember, work may need to be inspected for electrical or building safety, so it needs to be done right. Ask if their employees or contractors have specialized solar certifications, such as those issued by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). While NABCEP certification is not required in Canada and/or Zambia, it is a very rigorous certification program that demonstrates the installer has been trained and tested on solar PV installations.

Essentials of a professionally installed Solar System.

Why Solar Panel Critter Guards are Essential for Homeowners
Investing in solar panel critter guards is crucial for protecting your solar panels from damage, ensuring their longevity, preventing costly repairs, and mitigating hazardous fires caused by arc faults.

Critter Guards/ Bird Squirrel Guards:

Key Benefits of Critter Guards

These guards provide a reliable defense against:

i) Birds building nests under panels
ii) Squirrels and raccoons chewing through wires, potentially causing electrical issues and arc fault fires
iii) Debris accumulation (leaves, twigs) leading to fire hazards or roof damage
iv) Potential Risks Without Critter Guards

Without proper protection, your solar panels are vulnerable to:

a) Wire damage and electrical issues
b) Nesting and debris-related fire hazards
c) Moisture accumulation, causing roof rot and weakened roof structures
d) Reduced solar panel efficiency and lifespan

Universal Application
Regardless of panel type, rooftop solar systems require critter guards due to the gap between panels and the roof surface, created by the rack mounting system.

In Conclusion, Solar panel critter guards are a vital component of maintaining a safe, efficient, and long-lasting solar panel system. By installing critter guards, homeowners can:

> Prevent costly repairs
> Ensure optimal solar panel performance
> Protect their investment

8kw Roof mounted – Ottawa

8Kw Net-Metering Install in Ottawa, ON. System powered by Canadian Solar Panel and a Sol-Ark Inverter
Systems allows the owner to backup essential loads.

8kw Net-Metering roof mounted install. This install involved the use of 335w Canadian Solar modules (24), Kinetic Solar racking and the inverter used is a 12K Sol-Ark. The clients asked for a battery backup system, so they have a 48V battery backup, made up of 4-12V AGM batteries.

Main Roof Strings
Lower Roof String
Critter Guards Installation
Installation Work

Both homeowners work from home and they have indicated that the battery backup has come in handy in the few times their areas have had a power outage.

7.6Kw Offgrid Install – Elgin ON

7.6Kw offgrid install. Battery Storage -920Ah at 48V. System Comes with Auto generator start embedded in the 12K Sol-Ark inverter. 12 – 450w bifacial solar panels producing 30% extra power from the back.

This install is quite unique. The lakefront property only has one spot where the maximum solar energy can be generated. Unfortunately, this spot is about 160-ft away from the inverter. larger sized wires (8 awg) had to be used to minimize the voltage drop to an acceptable less than 3%
A Sol-Ark 12k inverter was used. Being an offgrid install on a new house, the builder where able to use the energy provided by the system to power their heavy equipment. The system was able to handle power needs with ease. Thanks to the home owners for the opportunity given to us to work on this project

10kw Offgrid install – Lanark, ON

10 Kw offgrid system install in Lanark Ontario. 24 Bi-facial panels with a Sol-ark 12k inverter.

10 Kw offgrid system install in Lanark Ontario. 24 Bifacial panels with a Sol-ark 12k inverter.

Battery Storage – 920 Ah at 48V. System commission August 2021. This Client has a complete offgrid system, and the system is the only source of power. The bifacial panels ensure that the system continues to produce even during a snowstorm.

Get upto $5,600 in Solar Energy Rebates with Deltacron

The government of Canada has launched a new program that offers Canadians grants of up to $5,000 to pay for energy-saving home upgrades.
Homeowners will be able to receive grants of up to $5,000 to make energy efficient retrofits to their primary residences, and up to $600 to help with the cost of home energy evaluations.

The government of Canada has launched a new program that offers Canadians grants of up to $5,000 to pay for energy-saving home upgrades.

Homeowners will be able to receive grants of up to $5,000 to make energy efficient retrofits to their primary residences, and up to $600 to help with the cost of home energy evaluations.

How does the Program work?

1. Schedule a home energy assessment

Before starting any work, you must first complete a home energy assessment with a registered energy advisor.

2. Get a custom report with recommended upgrades

After your home energy assessment, your registered energy advisor will provide a report with a list of recommended upgrades to help lower your hydro bill and make your home more energy efficient. You can will then apply here for the rebates

3. Complete the renewable energy upgrades

Get in touch with one of the Deltacron Energy experts for a custom solar pv grid tied or offgrid system design and competitive estimate. Once our team finishes the installation, then you will need to schedule another energy assessment.

4. Schedule a follow-up energy assessment

You must complete a final home energy assessment to qualify for rebates. The follow-up visit takes about one hour and must take place within 120 days of your first visit.

5. Receive your rebate cheque within 12 weeks

You’ll also be reimbursed $600* for your energy assessments. This will be included in your final cheque.

40K interest free loans for homeowners going Solar

For homeowners and landlords, the budget also aims at reducing emissions from residential buildings with a $4.4-billion program to provide homeowners and landlords with interest-free loans of $40,000 for “deep home retrofits.” The money can be used for improvements like better insulation, energy-efficient furnaces and water tanks, solar panels and new windows, the budget says. The money will flow through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)

As the world confronts a warming climate, the federal Liberals are committing billions more dollars to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the economy and help drive a “green recovery” from the pandemic-induced economic slowdown.

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland tabled a budget that sets aside $17 billion in new direct spending and tax relief measures that the government hopes will decarbonize heavy industry, build a cleaner economy and create jobs.

“We are at a pivotal moment in the green transformation,” Freeland said in a speech to the House of Commons.

“We can lead, or we can be left behind. Our government knows that the only choice for Canada is to be in the vanguard.”

Freeland said the budget measures will help the government meet its greenhouse gas reductions targets under the Paris climate agreement, achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and preserve 25 per cent of land and marine conservation targets by 2025.

Much of the proposed spending focuses on giving private sector companies incentives to develop and adopt clean technology.

Five billion dollars over seven years will go to the Net Zero Accelerator, a fund that helps large-emitting companies reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. That’s on top of $3 billion the government committed in December.

Sarah Petrevan, policy director at Clean Energy Canada, said the total $8 billion will help heavy industries such as steel and cement decarbonize and grow their competitiveness.

“Government’s role is to kind of set the stage for then private markets to develop and shift in the direction, and this is kind of what Liberals are doing,” she said of the budget.

“That’s the kind of thing that you have to do support an economic transition. It can’t all be government.”

To help foster a domestic clean technology manufacturing sector in Canada, the government said it will offer companies that manufacture zero emission devices, like solar panels and electric vehicles, a 50 per cent cut to their corporate or small business taxes for the next 10 years.

The government estimates more than 200,000 households could take advantage of that program.

Tom-Pierre Frappé-Sénéclauze, the buildings and urban solutions director at the Pembina Institute, an environmental think-tank, said the retrofit funding could create up to 10,000 well-paying jobs over the next five years. But he said Canadians will need to spend more on retrofitting their homes for Canada to meet its climate goals.

“While significant, this investment, unfortunately, is unlikely to get us to our destination,” he said.

Another initiative targeting heavy emitters is a tax credit for companies that invest in technology that captures carbon dioxide emitted by fuel combustion or other industrial processes and stores it in the ground instead of releasing it into the atmosphere. The budget said the government will undertake a 90-day consultation process to determine the rate of the incentive for capital investments in carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS).

This is bold step by the Canadian government to put the money where their mouth is. As much as we at Deltacron Tech understand that much more can be done, we would like to take this moment to appreciate this step in the right direction on behalf of the many customers we have encountered in our industry. The majority of our tax paying customers have always looked to the government to help them go green, especially were power is concerned, but that help has been nowhere to be found. But with this announcement in Budget2021, the future does look greener for many homeowners.

We look forward to having these announcements implemented.

Credit: CBC/Toronto Star

Has Covid-19 Slowed the rise of Solar Photovoltaics?

At the peak of the pandemic, many countries across the globe initialized their lockdowns to help curb the spreading pandemic. Thankfully, these measures did help slow down the spread of covid-19 in the absence of a vaccine.

However, these safety regulations and mobility restrictions also disrupted supply chains and temporarily delayed construction of renewable energy installations – especially onshore wind and solar PV – in key markets. Since mid-May, renewables-based construction projects, equipment supplies, policy implementation and financing have returned to near normal levels in many countries because project developers and manufacturers have modified their operations to adapt to ongoing social‑distancing rules.

U.S. solar installations are expected to soar 43% this year, just shy of a pre-pandemic forecast, as the industry has recovered more quickly than expected from a virus-related slowdown, according to a report by the top solar trade group.

The improved outlook reflects robust demand from utilities seeking to meet carbon-reduction goals and a rebound in demand for home solar systems, thanks in part to declining costs for the technology.

The sector is now expected to install more than 19 gigawatts of solar this year, enough to power more than 3.6 million homes, according to the U.S. Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and energy research firm Wood Mackenzie. Last year it installed 13.3 GW of capacity.

Solar energy also accounted for 43% of new U.S. power capacity additions through the third quarter, compared with less than a third for wind and natural gas.

SEIA and Wood Mackenzie had initially forecast 2020 solar growth of 47%, but that outlook slid to 33% as the coronavirus spread throughout the United States in the spring.

As mentioned earlier, The solar industry has been growing rapidly in recent years thanks to declines in the cost of the technology that enable it to compete with power generated by coal and gas.

Even so, just 3% of U.S. electricity is now generated by the sun. SEIA hopes that will rise to 20% over the next decade, as demand for home installation soars due to the work from home culture, that has led to many homeowners to source for cheaper and cleaner sources of energy.

*Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic installation*

The solar bounce back is especially a positive for many that lost their jobs due to the pandemic, Before COVID-19, an estimated 3.4 million Americans across 50 states and the District of Columbia worked in clean energy occupations. According to E2’s Clean Jobs America report, that’s more people working in the real estate, banking or agriculture industries and three times the number of Americans with jobs in fossil fuels. In fact, at the start of 2020, the American Council on Renewable Energy predicted that employers would be adding more than 175,000 green energy jobs.

But when the pandemic hit in March, more than 106,000 U.S. clean energy workers lost their jobs. Fast-forward just two months, and that number climbed to an astounding 447,208. With the resounding bounce back, more than 80,000 jobs were added back to the industry. We can confidently say that the worst is over for the solar industry, more especially with vaccines on the market. This is by no means saying the industry is out of the weeds, the road to recovery is still significant