vigorcleantech.com You can’t control the price of energy, but you can control your cost.

The Feed-In Tariff (FIT) and microFIT programs launched a gold rush for solar developers. Many small companies sprung up to take advantage of the lucrative contracts for generating electricity through solar power. Unfortunately, many of these companies were also taking advantage of their clients.

Some underhanded companies sold systems to home and business owners without fully considering (or caring) about whether the site was suitable for solar. They cut corners in design and installation. Today, many of these upstarts are no longer in business, and their customers are left without support.

Ten Years And Going StrongTen years may not seem like a long time, but in the solar industry it is a lifetime. Vigor Clean Tech saw the potential in helping people generate green energy in 2008, and we backed up our installations with care and ongoing service and maintenance. That’s why we’re still here, building new systems and ensuring past customers maximize their revenue from each ray of sunshine.

We are often contacted by individuals and businesses who are looking for service and support for their solar system. Although solar arrays are largely worry-free, an annual inspection and preventative maintenance goes a long way in ensuring their longevity.

Improving Generation for Underperforming SystemsAn Operations and Maintenance Case Study

The Vigor Clean Tech Operations and Maintenance Team keeps solar PV systems across Ontario performing at their peak.

Monitoring energy production and comparing it year-over-year gives insight into forecast production and results from system maintenance.

Opening and inspecting the SolarEdge inverters to ensure you get the best data and diagnostics about your system performance.

Case Study: Hollywood Weddings microFIT

The ProjectHollywood Weddings operates out of an old home in downtown Kitchener. They needed to install a new roof and it was suggested that adding a solar system would help pay for the roof, and generate revenue in the future. They installed a 10kW microFIT system in spring 2014.

The ProblemAfter a turbulent installation period, the system was connected. Not long after this the installer went bankrupt, leaving Hollywood Weddings without support. Two years into the contract the system was still not producing as expected and they had no way of diagnosing the problems. Unbeknownst to them it was also in dangerous condition. There were numerous wires that had been stripped bare and frayed from squirrel damage. One panel in particular had electricity arcing between its bare wires and posed a clear danger and fire hazard.

The Vigor Clean Tech SolutionWe began by properly mapping the system so generation could be monitored and problems identified through the SolarEdge monitoring portal. We removed the panel and wiring that had been damaged by squirrels and installed rodent guard around the panels. We took down a large tree that was shading the array and reducing generation. We continue to provide ongoing Operations and Maintenance support to proactively deal with new issues and ensure maximum generation.

Component serial numbers are used to map the system, creating an accurate layout that allows technicians to remedy problems.

The SolarEdge monitoring portal allows Service and Support staff to remotely monitor the system and swiftly correct any issues that arise.

Wire mesh rodent guard prevents squirrels from nesting under the panels and chewing the wiring, creating fire hazards.

Lori’s StoryLori was installing a new roof on her business when a colleague suggested a solar system could generate revenue and help pay for the repair. He referred her to a solar company, who she trusted to re-roof the business and install a solar array at the same time.

The roof installation went smoothly, but trouble arose during the solar installation. Through the summer Lori dealt with constant starts and stops, changing salespeople, and threats to quit without additional payment. Friends and neighbours would warn her that when the crews did show up they left after only moving a few panels.

The system was eventually connected to the grid in November 2014, and Lori thought they were finally on their way to generating the renewable energy and revenue they expected.

“After watching for a full year, I recognized that we weren’t getting the generation we were promised from the system,” said Lori. “I reached out for help but the company had filed for bankruptcy. I thought I was out of options when I remembered a friend who worked for Vigor

Clean Tech.”

We were happy to help Lori get her system running the way it should. Her location was not an ideal site for solar, but we made the system safe, allowed panel level monitoring, and removed shading.

Safety was our number one priority. Squirrels had been nesting under the panels and chewing on the wires. It’s a wonder that they didn’t cause a fire. We replaced the wiring, removed the nests, and installed

squirrel guarding around the panels to prevent them from returning.

While we were fixing Lori’s squirrel problem we also mapped the system. Mapping the system involves tracking serial numbers of components and creating a physical representation of each device. Having an accurate layout in the monitoring software allows support technicians to quickly identify problems and solutions. It minimizes troubleshooting downtime and helps maximize your revenue. We went through each panel and created a layout map in the SolarEdge monitoring software.

Finally, we dealt with the shade on the system. While we couldn’t do anything about the apartment building next door, we did remove the large sycamore tree that was blocking the afternoon sun to try to make the best of the situation. How could any reputable company think solar panels will function in the shade? It ended up being a trade off between green leaves and green energy.

Lori was pleased to see her system finally generating the way it should. “Since Vigor Clean Tech repaired the system I’ve been watching SolarEdge and I’m beating what I produced two years ago. The generation has improved immensely,” she says. “It’s been a great relief, and taken a weight off my shoulders!”

“There are people in the solar industry who are not trustworthy, but you can trust Vigor Clean Tech. They have a proven track record and are in it for the long haul.”

The solar array on the roof of Hollywood Weddings in Kitchener.

“It’s been a great relief, and taken a weight off my shoulders!”

Vigor Clean Tech

Your solar solution from system set-up to lifetime serviceVigor Clean Tech has been helping businesses and individuals save money on their electricity bills and support clean energy since 2008. We have installed more than 400 ground mounted trackers, as well as 75 roof top solar on buildings of all shapes and sizes. Vigor Clean Tech finds a solar solution to each customer’s unique needs, and follows it up with the best warranty and service in the industry.

Vigor Clean Tech began by installing microFIT and FIT projects. We have worked with individuals, businesses (including Guelph Manufacturing Group, Kindred Credit Union, and Pelee Island Winery), charities (such as Erb Street Mennonite Church, and Rockway Mennonite Collegiate), and municipalities (like the County of Wellington, Township of Wellesley, and Town of Blind River).

In addition to developing over 6 megawatts of FIT 3 contracts for clients, we are also owners of over 200 kilowatts of solar installations. As managers for Community Energy Development Co-operative, Vigor Clean Tech supports over 7MW of solar systems with a value of $30 million. We stand behind every system we install, knowing that keeping them in top operating condition is essential for the co-op investors to meet their expected returns.

Opportunities are bright for solar power. Vigor Clean Tech now provides net metering and off grid solutions for individuals who want to take their energy use into their own hands. With our help you can either generate power to reduce your electricity bill, or disconnect from the grid entirely for power independence. In both cases you are reducing your reliance on fossil fuels and saving money.

Together with our customers we have generated well over 22 million kilowatt hours of clean energy!

Is your solar system not producing as much energy as expected? Did your solar installer not finish the job? Are you interested in a new system to lock in your energy costs in the face of rising electricity rates?

Contact Vigor Clean Tech

1-888-536-0491 info@vigorcleantech.com

1633 Snyder’s Road East Petersburg, Ontario N0B 2H0

vigorcleantech.com You can’t control the price of energy, but you can control your cost.