Solar 101
Should I Install Solar Panels on My Home?
Not sure if solar is right for your house? Check your electricity bills, roof space, shading and roof age to see whether a solar system is a good fit.
Not sure if solar is right for your house? Check your electricity bills, roof space, shading and roof age to see whether a solar system is a good fit.
The cost of solar equipment has fallen dramatically over the last decade, which has opened up energy independence to far more homeowners. Even so, many people are not sure where to start. This guide covers the basic questions to ask yourself, and what you can do to improve how well a solar installation will work on your property. It is a starting point rather than a substitute for a proper site assessment, which we offer free of charge.
For most homeowners, the main reason to consider solar is to reduce electricity bills. A solar system produces its own power on site, which means you buy less from the utility. Because of that, the higher your electricity rates, the more each kilowatt hour you produce is worth. The same logic applies to bigger homes: higher consumption usually means greater potential savings.
Keep in mind that savings move with utility prices, which change over time. Solar tends to be most cost-effective in places where electricity is expensive, and that includes much of urban Ontario. Pull a year of bills together, or ask us to review them, so a system can be sized around your real usage. Our cost of solar panels in Ontario guide breaks down typical pricing.
Next, assess the roof. Your roof needs good exposure to sunlight, otherwise the system's cost-effectiveness suffers. Nearby trees and neighbouring buildings matter too, so surrounding foliage should be part of the decision. A roof that gets excellent sun and has no overhead shading is an easy fit. Orientation and pitch matter, but less than most people expect, and we cover those in what we check when assessing your roof.
If your roof needs to be replaced, or will need to be replaced in the near future, hold off on solar until the work is done. Panels are designed to last 25 years or more, so it is much simpler to put new roofing underneath them than to remove and reinstall an array later. Not sure how much life your roof has left? Contact us for a free assessment and we will tell you what we see. You can also read is my house suitable for solar? for a fuller checklist.
If your property checks these boxes, solar can offer benefits beyond lower bills. A solar system can add to the appeal and value of a home, and some homeowners and studies have reported a sale price premium for homes with owned solar, although results vary by market. The original version of this article cited an average of 3 to 4 percent; treat any figure like that as a rough guide rather than a promise. Solar also reduces your reliance on grid power produced from fossil fuels, which benefits the wider community.
Solar is a long-term investment, and the best way to find out whether it makes sense for you is to see numbers based on your home. Start with the solar calculator for a quick estimate, or learn more about our residential solar service. When you are ready, book a free site assessment and our ESA-licensed team will review your roof, shading and electrical panel and give you a clear proposal with no obligation.
You want decent sun exposure, limited shading from trees or buildings and a roof with plenty of life left. A free site assessment confirms all of this for your specific home.
If the roof is near the end of its life, yes. Panels last 25 years or more, so it is best to replace the roof first.
By producing power on site, a solar system reduces how much electricity you buy from the grid, and net metering credits offset the rest. Actual savings depend on your usage, system size and future rates.
