Get more from the Sun with Skylit

Dec 14, 2023

Sponsored

Nova Scotia Solar company offers battery backup solutions to keep your essentials running with solar by day and battery by night.

As Nova Scotians, we’ve weathered our share of storms and power outages in recent years and have sought ways to be prepared for when the next storm hits.

Solar energy is an appealing renewable power option, both for the positive environmental impact and the long-term cost savings, especially as power rates continue to increase.

Founded in 2016, Skylit is a solar company based in Kentville, providing high quality solar products and battery backup solutions. They established the only solar Community Economic Development Investment Fund (CEDIF) to give tax incentives to people to invest in solar energy, raising close to $4.3 million.

Skylit has done hundreds of residential installations, several large commercial systems, and a ground-mounted installation for Parks Canada at Kejimkujik National Park. It is known for its all-black solar panel installations, which are more visually appealing.

"We strive to bring people the best technology, the most expertly installed and most attractive solar installation and the best customer service," says Andrew Bagley, owner of Skylit.

BATTERY BACKUP FOR LONGER POWER

When it comes to solar panel installations, there are two kinds: off-grid and the more common, grid-tied. With grid-tied net-metered solar, excess power is sent to the grid which can then be drawn back for free later when it's needed in the home. However, a grid-tied system will not operate during a power outage. This can be particularly frustrating when people with solar panels have the means of generating power but are unable to.

A solution to this problem is Skylit's battery backup system, SKYSTOR, which permits solar panels to continue producing power during the day when the grid is down. It can be added to a new solar installation or retrofitted to an existing solar PV array.

With this type of system, the home is isolated from the power grid to keep an essential loads panel operating in the event of a power outage, allowing the homeowner to run essential appliances, lights, oil heating or even a small heat pump.

"The great thing about the backup is that it not only provides backup power for overnight, but it enables the solar to operate, turning the on-grid home into a fully sustainable off-grid home," says Bagley. "A home with solar and a well specified battery system can self-sustain indefinitely."

After Hurricane Fiona, many Nova Scotians flocked to buy gas-powered generators. However, the SKYSTOR battery backup solution keeps the inverters working during an outage, thereby keeping the solar running. This means the house will be powered by solar during the day and by battery at night.

"This system essentially acts like a generator – but it's seamless… it comes on automatically in nanoseconds, and there's no gas or fuel required," explains Amanda Brulé, VP, sales and residential projects for Skylit. "After a hurricane, we tend to have longer outages and lots of sunshine, but the system works well year-round, as solar panels still produce energy on cloudy days."

GREENER ENERGY, SAFER SOLUTIONS

While battery backup systems have been around for years, the arrival of powerful lithium-ion batteries has been a game-changer, both in terms of functionality, as well as price. SKYSTOR uses LiFEOP4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate) chemistry. These batteries can store much more power for the same sized battery, maintain their charge longer and are safer than the old lead-acid batteries, providing a far more usable solution.

"The LiFEOP4 batteries are the safest on the market because they have minimal degradation and exceptional thermal and chemical stability," says Brulé.

The challenge with lithium batteries has been the cost, but as mass production increases — much of it driven by the electric vehicle market — costs are starting to decrease. However, given the limited options currently available, many battery backup systems are still very costly.

"For a couple of years, we've felt that big-brand battery systems are too expensive, so we identified high performing, certified, quality components and put together our own system at much lower cost," says Bagley. "The battery backup systems we're installing now cost about half of what we installed two years ago. We’re delivering twice the backup power for half the price!"

Quality installation is vital when it comes to battery backups because they involve high electrical currents and could pose a risk to your electrical system or devices if installed carelessly. Skylit's electrician and technical specialist, Andy Spidle, explains that it is important to have adequate space to install the hybrid inverter and batteries because, although the battery technology itself is very safe, the current electrical code says they cannot be connected in what is defined as "living space."

"At Skylit we are very diligent when it comes to product selection and the safety of the home takes priority," says Spidle.

For those that do not have their electrical service outside the home envelope (like the garage, for example), Skylit has an insulated, weather-tight battery box for outdoor battery installation.

Efficiency Nova Scotia is currently offering a Home Battery Pilot as part of the SolarHomes rebate program. The rebate gives $300/kWh of battery storage, with up to a maximum of $2,500. The SKYSTOR standard system comes with 10.24/kWh of storage, so it maximizes the $2,500 rebate.

"The SKYSTOR system can keep you going indefinitely," says Brulé. "No food spoilage, your devices charged, hot meals, and no worries about gas stations running out of fuel for your generator. Really, it's peace of mind."

To learn more about Skylit's solar and battery backup solutions, visit https://skylit.ca/.