Solar 101 — For the Triumph Team
A practical introduction to solar in the Okanagan: how it powers a home, how utility billing works, what changes in winter, and how solar pairs with heat pumps.
Solar photovoltaic panels create direct-current electricity whenever light reaches them. Inverters convert it into the alternating-current electricity the home already uses. There is no change to how the homeowner operates lights, appliances, a heat pump or an EV charger.
Your system works alongside the utility grid. During sunny hours, solar supplies the home first. If you need more electricity, the grid automatically supplies the difference. When the system produces more than the home is using, the excess goes back to the grid and is measured by the utility meter.
Yes. Panels respond to light, not heat, so they continue producing when skies are cloudy—just at a lower output than under strong, direct sun. A proposal from Solos uses local weather data, roof direction and shading to estimate production across the full year rather than promising perfect-day output every day.
Shorter days mean lower winter production, while long Okanagan summer days generate much more. Cold temperatures themselves do not stop solar panels from working. The system is designed around annual production, so the seasonal pattern is included in the estimate you receive.
A standard grid-connected solar system shuts down during an outage to protect utility workers. Backup power requires a compatible battery system and equipment designed to safely separate the home from the grid.
What happens to extra solar power?
Solar electricity powers the home first. When production exceeds what the home is using, the excess is sent to the grid and recorded by the utility meter. The way that excess is credited depends on the customer’s electricity provider.
Excess kilowatt-hours are banked as electricity credits and applied against electricity drawn from the grid later. For every 1 kWh sent to the grid, the customer receives a 1 kWh credit in their bank.
New customers receive a monetary credit for excess generation. The current published rate is 10¢ per excess kWh.
BC Hydro currently offers rebates on eligible systems on a first-come, first-served basis while funding lasts.
Solar panels
$1,000per kW installedUp to 50% of the total installed cost, to a maximum of $5,000 for an individually metered residential home.
Battery storage
$500per kWh installedEligible residential customers can receive a battery rebate of up to a maximum of $5,000.
A heat pump uses electricity to move heat and provide both heating and cooling. If it replaces natural-gas heating, the home’s electricity use will generally increase because space heating has shifted to electricity. Solar can generate electricity on-site and offset part of the home’s total annual electrical use.
Heat-pump use is highest in winter; solar production is highest in spring and summer. System value is assessed across the full year.
A solar design should consider planned heat pumps, EVs, hot tubs or suites—not only last year’s utility bill.
When the heat pump runs while panels are producing, the home can use that solar electricity directly.
Solar offsets energy use. A battery is the additional component needed when backup power during outages is a goal.
Solar does not directly power only the heat pump. It contributes electricity to the whole home, reducing how much power the home needs to purchase from the grid.
Solos learns about the home, electricity use, future electrical loads and the homeowner’s goals.
The team reviews the roof, shade, electrical service and utility history to create a tailored system.
The homeowner receives expected production, equipment details, pricing and an estimated payback—without pressure.
Solos coordinates design, permits, utility requirements and installation with its in-house team.
Solos Energy is a family-owned Okanagan solar company serving residential and commercial customers. Every system is designed for the individual property and installed by an in-house crew.
Local recognition
Best of KelownaGold — 2025 & 2026 Best of PentictonGold — 2025 & 2026 Consumer Choice AwardKelowna — 2025 & 2026No-pressure assessment
If a customer wants to explore solar, Solos will review the property, utility usage and future electrical needs, then explain the options clearly.
Useful sources
Utility programs, rates, rebates and eligibility can change. Solos Energy will confirm current details for each property.
