Riverside Energy Systems

09/03/2026

🦫 Wattson’s Solar Fact! ☀️⚡

Did you know that your solar panels can send excess electricity back to the grid?

When your solar system is producing more electricity than your home or business is using, that extra energy can flow back to the BC Hydro grid. Under BC Hydro’s current Self-Generation Rate, new customers receive a 10¢/kWh credit for electricity exported to the grid.

Here’s how it works:
☀️ Your solar power is used first by your home or business.
🏠 If you need more power than your panels are producing, you draw electricity from the grid.
⚡ If your panels produce more than you’re using, the excess goes back to the grid and you receive a credit.

Want to learn more about solar?
👉 www.riversideenergy.ca/resources

08/21/2026

🦫 Wattson's Solar Fact! ☀️🔋

Think you need a battery to have solar? Think again!

Many grid-connected solar systems operate without batteries. When your panels are producing electricity, that power can be used by your home. When you need more electricity than your panels are producing, you can draw power from the electrical grid. When your system produces more than you’re using, the excess can be sent to the grid, depending on your utility's program.

Batteries are an optional addition to a grid-connected system and can be useful for storing solar energy for later or providing backup power during an outage.

But there's an important exception: off-grid solar systems don't have the electrical grid to fall back on, so they require battery storage to keep power available.

So, if you're connected to the grid, you don't necessarily need a battery to go solar. But adding a battery can give you even more control over your energy. Instead of sending excess solar to the grid during the day, you can store that energy and use it later when your panels aren't producing—helping you make more use of the energy your system generates before drawing electricity from the grid.

Learn more about solar:
https://www.riversideenergy.ca/resources

08/19/2026

How Solar Billing Has Evolved in 2026

If you've been hearing about Net Billing, there's been a pretty significant change to how new solar customers are credited for the electricity they send back to the grid.

From Net Metering to 10¢/kWh for exported energy, we break down what changed, when it changed, and what it means for solar in BC.👇

www.riversideenergy.ca/resources/what-solar-customers-need-to-know-in-2026

08/13/2026

🦫 Wattson's Solar Fact! ☀️

Ever wonder why solar panels are considered relatively low-maintenance?

Solar panels have no moving parts. Unlike mechanical equipment that has components constantly moving and wearing down, the panels simply sit there and convert sunlight into electricity.

That means there are fewer mechanical components to wear out, helping keep routine maintenance relatively low over the life of your system. Your solar system still benefits from periodic inspections, and occasional cleaning may be needed depending on your location and conditions—but there's no engine to service or moving machinery to maintain.

So while Wattson enjoys a well-earned lemonade break, his solar panels can keep doing their job. 😎☀️

Less maintenance. More sunshine. More clean energy.

08/11/2026

What will your electricity bill look like 10, 20 or 30 years from now?

BC Hydro rates may seem manageable today, but even modest increases can add up significantly over time. So what does that mean for the long-term cost of powering your home or business?

In our latest article, we break down BC electricity rates, BC Hydro’s upcoming investments, future rate projections, and how solar can help reduce your reliance on the grid for the next 25–30+ years.

We also look at BC Hydro’s new Self-Generation Rate, including the 10¢/kWh credit for excess solar energy exported to the grid—and why properly sizing your solar system and maximizing your self-consumption matters.

Most importantly: What does waiting actually cost you?

Read the full article and see what the numbers could mean for you.
https://www.riversideenergy.ca/resources/cost-of-waiting

08/06/2026

08/04/2026

🦫 Wattson's Solar Fact! ☀️

Did you know a typical residential solar system can prevent thousands of kilograms of carbon emissions over its lifetime?

Every kilowatt-hour your solar panels generate is electricity that doesn't need to be produced by other sources. Over 25–30 years, that adds up to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Depending on your location, electricity use, and system size, the environmental benefit can be comparable to the carbon captured by hundreds of trees over time.

It's a reminder that going solar isn't just an investment in your home—it's an investment in a cleaner future for generations to come. 🌎💚

07/30/2026

Thinking about going solar but not sure where to start? Hear directly from Riverside Energy customer Andre Van Wyk about his experience making the switch.

At Riverside, we believe the best measure of our work is what our customers have to say. We're grateful to Andre for sharing his story and trusting us with his home.

Thinking about going solar for your home, shop, or business? See more of our solar projects and customer testimonials here:
https://www.riversideenergy.ca/projects

See how much you could save with the BC Hydro solar rebate:
https://www.riversideenergy.ca/bc-hydro-rebate

07/29/2026

🦫 Wattson's Solar Fact! ☀️

Solar panels generate electricity from daylight—not just direct sunshine.

Even on cloudy days, your system continues producing clean energy. During cloudy days and even periods of wildfire smoke, output may be reduced depending on how dense the smoke is. However, solar panels can still generate electricity while daylight reaches them.

It's one more reason solar is a reliable source of clean energy throughout the year in BC.

07/22/2026

🦫 Wattson's Solar Fact! ☀️

Think solar panels stop working after 25 or 30 years? Not even close.

Modern solar panels are built to provide clean, reliable electricity for 30 years or more. While they gradually lose a small amount of output over time, many are still producing 80% or more of their original power after decades of service.

That means your solar system can continue lowering your electricity bills long after it has paid for itself. Few home improvements keep delivering value year after year like solar does—making it an investment you can enjoy for decades.

Ready to see how much your home or business could save?Contact Riverside Energy Systems today:
https://www.riversideenergy.ca
[email protected]
250-578-0620