S2 | Rewind Design | E7 Solar Off Grid Power with Scott Mifflin, Sustainable Cottages
SOLAR - OFF GRID POWER ON GEORGIAN BAY
With Scott Mifflin from Sustainable Cottages
Welcome to Episode 7 of Rewind Design Season 2! If you are brand new to this podcast, welcome! My name is Katy McNabb and I am a registered Interior Designer working in Ontario’s Cottage Country. I am on a mission to share sustainable ways of building, promote green energy and document the history of the cottage country.
In this week’s episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Scott Mifflin from Sustainable Cottages - www.sustainablecottages.ca. Scott’s company advises on, supplies and installs Solar Panels and Battery Systems all across Cottage Country.
Here is a quick summary of Sustainable Cottages from their website:
Welcome to Sustainable Cottages, your trusted leader in solar pv design and installation. We supply industry leading Solar PV equipment and work with a team of engineers to design a system that meets all of your energy needs no matter how remote your location. We are a turn-key solution for all your Solar pv needs. Sustainable Cottages has provided Georgian Bay, Muskoka, lake of bays and The Kawartha Lakes with the highest quality Off-Grid, Hybrid, and Grid-Tie Solar PV equipment, system design, and installation since 2011
Kamryn Elkin works with Scott as a client liaison in Pointe au Baril + design assistant. You can find here here: www.instagram.com/kam.elkin !
IN THIS WEEK’S EPISODE WE DISCUSS:
Solar installation on Georgian Bay’s off grid islands
The different types of solar design + batteries
How Scott founded Sustainable Cottages + his love of sustainable design
Scott’s cottage in Pointe Au Baril showcasing his solar design
LISTEN TO OUR EDUCATIONAL INTERVIEW BELOW!
Scott answers my questions!
How long has your family been in PAB/Frederic Inlet?
My family purchased our cottage in Frederic Inlet back in the fall of 2004, from a family from Ohio, who had built the cottage back in the early 1970’s
Can you speak about your journey to starting Sustainable Cottages + what the company does?
Sustainable Cottages evolved out of my first business called Toronto Green Builders, where I was a L.E.E.D accredited contractor, doing renovation projects throughout different areas of Toronto. Sustainable Cottages has very specific focus on providing sustainable energy solutions for off-grid and grid-tied cottages in several areas across Ontario. Mainly we operate on Georgian Bay, specifically in the Pointe au Baril area. We also provide services to other remote access areas on Georgian Bay, French River, Muskoka Lakes, and the Kawartha’s. We design custom Solar PV systems, supply the highest quality Solar PV equipment, and provide expert installation services as well as ongoing system maintenance.
What prompted you to start the company?
Well, our family first renovated our cottage in 2006/2007 with a local contractor. The project was huge success and the work completed on the cottage was excellent, however, at the same time another company was brought in to upgrade our Solar PV and battery storage system. Unfortunately, this system was not designed properly, and our family was not given an overview of how to operate and maintain our system. As a result, after 6 years our battery bank was not holding charge anymore, which came as a surprise as we understood our battery bank should last at least 10 years. So, I took it upon myself to get educated on Solar PV and battery storage systems. I took several training courses from the Canadian Solar Institute in 2013. Through that training I got connected with my first Solar PV equipment supplier. That summer I upgraded our Solar PV equipment and battery storage system. At that time, I thought that if the faulty system design and lack system overview we had received, is happening to other cottagers, then surely they will need someone to correct these mistakes and provide them with a system that gives them piece of mind.
Solar energy is powering Georgian bay islands
What parts of your previous career enable you to start this new business
My first introduction into the building industry was when I worked for a high-end custom home building company in Toronto during the summers of my university years. I continued this work for almost a decade after university, becoming a site supervisor, often managing all of the trades throughout the completion of those builds, often handling 5-6 projects at a time. Through this experience I worked with some of Canada’s top architects, designers, and various trades men/women, building 5000-15000 square foot homes. Through these vast experiences is how I learned many of the skills I utilize on all of my projects now.
Did you see a gap in the industry?
I did see a gap in the local PaB Solar market yes. As I started to take on other cottagers Solar PV systems, a very common issue became very clear. Systems weren’t designed properly. Specifically, not large enough arrays of panels to properly charge battery banks to the manufacturer’s specifications. Because of this error, people were unknowingly destroying & having to replace batteries every 4-6 years, instead of 10-15 years. That’s a very frustrating, expensive, and unsustainable situation to deal with, when you really just want to enjoy your cottage and relax.
Solar Panels on display at Scott’s cottage in Pointe au Baril
What is solar?
Solar PV (Photovoltaics) is the process of converting Solar UV rays, though crystals in solar panels, into usable DC energy that can also be stored in a battery bank for future use.
Can you briefly explain the process of solar design?
Solar design is based on the client’s overall energy needs first and foremost. Secondly, we design a battery bank with enough capacity to allowed them to power all their loads, even allowing for consecutive days of bad weather, without causing any power interruptions. Then we design an array of solar panels that is large enough to meet the battery manufactures charging specifications for the battery bank. The final step is to choose an inverter that has enough capacity to meet the total amount of energy possibly being used at any given time. For most off-grid cottages we usually see an inverter of 4Kw-5Kw, but depending on the energy needs they can be even bigger.
How does the installation process work & what are some challenges to off grid work?
Our instals are usually 2-3 days overall. The most difficult part is getting all the equipment to the project site. Once its all delivered, another complicated part can be securing a ground mount system directly to the bedrock or installing an array of panels on a steep sloped roof. We take extra precautions to ensure safety and structural integrity of our racking systems. The rest of the components are installed fairly easily, and then our master electrician completes all the wiring & connections, before we commission the system and program all the settings. Programming is probably the most important aspect of our installs. Even the smallest program setting can make a big impact on the overall lifespan of your battery bank if not set properly.
How is solar more sustainable + reliable?
Solar PV equipment is designed to last a long time. Panels are warrantied for 25 years if installed properly. Inverters are design to last 20+ years, and battery solutions depending on the battery type, are either 10-15 year solutions for AGM batteries, or 20-30 year solutions for Lithium batteries. A properly design system can last decades and can also help reduce your propane consumption significantly when switching from a propane fridge to a standard AC 120v fridge. Not to mention the reduction of costs and O2 emissions to deliver that propane to remote access cottages. As confident as we are in our systems, we recognize that there are always situations that can arise that may cause a system to fail or become damaged through long term usage. We often tie in a generator back up to the systems so that in event of an unforeseen issue, you can utilize a generator to charge your battery bank or power your loads directly.
Solar is the most abundant energy on earth
However, in Canada solar PV electricity currently accounts for less than 1% of our total electricity production
How do you analyze the needs of the client? (keeping existing vs all new, repurposing + a mix of propane)
We always allow any part of a Solar PV system that works, to be maintained and not simply replaced. We make that very clear to all our clients. I find the best approach to managing a client’s needs, is to give them as much information as possible. Education is key for everyone who has a Solar PV system. Especially when it comes to deciding what kind or size of system to choose. If their batteries are not holding any capacity, but are only a few years old, we always try to maximize their lifespan before relacing them. That could mean installing a bigger array of panels and seeing what impact that has on battery capacity. Or we attempt to do some corrective charging (equalizing) to restore some battery capacity. Often, we are able to achieve this “extension” of battery life, and allow clients a few more years or longer before they have to invest in battery replacement. Also explaining to clients how Solar PV systems can save them money in the long term is also helpful to justify capital improvements to their existing systems. Reducing propane consumption by switching to an electric fridge, especially for boat access cottages, will create a significant amount of savings over a 10 year period. Also demand for remote internet access via Starlink, is another reason why expanding your Solar PV system and battery storage is something to consider. Clients who do this, are now able to work remotely at their cottage & enjoy being able to connect to family with FaceTime or enjoy streaming movies on rainy days. We are seeing a big rise in demand for Starlink but having one requires a properly designed system. It is not advisable to just simply add energy draw to systems that were not design for those loads. When in doubt speak with a Solar PV expert who can guide you properly to expanding any existing system or building a new one.
Solar panel system from Scott’s personal cottage
Types of solar batteries
There are four main types of battery technologies that pair with residential solar systems:
Lead acid batteries
Lithium ion batteries
Nickel based batteries
Flow batteries
Listen to our episode to find out how it works!
Solar Battery system from Scott’s personal cottage pictured below.
STEPS TO CONSIDER BEFORE GETTING SOLAR POWER
Step 1
Before contacting an installer/supplier, you should make an effort to identify the size of the power load in your cottage, adding up total wattage based on peak power (i.e. when using all of your electric loads) as well as determining how many watt hours per day you are likely to use (wattage of appliance times number of hours in use). To make solar more affordable you may want to consider reducing your power requirements. It may not the practical to go off grid if you consider such conveniences as electric heating, air conditioning, dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer as mandatory. Electric refrigerators and stoves draw a lot of electrical power and propane alternatives may have to be considered. This will introduce the complexities and cost of propane delivery. DC fridges that can be run on solar/battery power have come a long way over the past few years and could be a good alternative.
Step 2
Give some thought to where you would like to mount the solar?
Roof mounting is less expensive but doesn’t give any adjustability and roof pitch may affect performance. Structural considerations must be addressed.
Pole mounts give great adjustability but are the highest price option.
A 2-tier ground mount may be adjusted seasonally for optimal performance and has a competitive price point, it can be the best option provided foundation construction is not too great a challenge.
Credit to Georgian Bay Association - georgianbay.ca/going-off-the-grid-2
If you have a north facing property it may be difficult to install solar panels in a way that will work efficiently.
You may need to trim or even drop trees to improve solar access to your array.
Impacts on shoreline habitat and species at risk should be carefully considered.
Building permits may be required so check with your local municipality’s building department at the outset of your planning.
And always consult with your neighbours given the visual impact of the panels that may affect them.
Credit to Georgian Bay Association - georgianbay.ca/going-off-the-grid-2
Step 3
Consider what type of battery would suit you best.
Flooded lead acid batteries
Lithium Batteries
Listen to the episode to learn the differences between batteries!
LISTEN TO OUR EDUCATIONAL INTERVIEW BELOW!
Season 2 is generously funded by the Georgian Bay Land Trust
Follow along my journey!
