Is Solar Right for Me?

Most homes have roofs that are designed to support the extra weight of snow and as well as a solar PV system. If a structural engineer's approval is required your installer will take care of that as a part of the permitting process.

Most solar panels are warrantied for 25-30 years and can last even longer. If your roof is nearing the end of its useful life or showing signs of deterioration, you may want to consider replacing it before installing solar. Removing and reinstalling your panels to replace a roof later is costly.

Some homeowners choose to apply a roof preservation treatment to extend the life of their asphalt shingles. The cost of this type of treatment can be lower than a full roof replacement, making it an attractive option for homeowners planning to install solar. In many cases, this approach helps align the remaining lifespan of the roof with the expected lifespan of the solar panels.

It's also worth noting that solar panels naturally shield the shingles beneath them from UV exposure and weather, slowing their deterioration. Shingles surrounding the array will continue to age normally; however, homeowners can have the roof preservation applied after the solar installation to help extend the lifespan of the exposed shingles.

While asphalt shingles are well-suited to solar installations, certain roof types, such as cedar shakes and clay tiles, require additional consideration. Some roof types require specialized or custom mounting hardware, which can add complexity and cost. In general, asphalt shingles and standing seam metal roofs are the easiest and most cost-effective options for solar installation.

The ideal orientation for solar panels is south-facing, as these roof faces capture the most sunlight. East- and west-facing solar panels produce less electricity than south-facing panels, but they still make sense. North-facing roofs receive significantly less sunlight and are therefore typically not used for solar installations.

In general, lower and more easily accessible roofs tend to be simpler and therefore more cost-effective to install solar on. As roof height and steepness increase, installations can require additional access methods and safety measures. While solar can be installed on many roof types and building heights, these factors can influence installation complexity and pricing.

Ideally, solar panels would receive no shade, but some shading does not necessarily make solar a poor investment. Most residential solar systems experience some shading. But how much shading is too much? Your Solar Accelerator Advisor will model your home using solar design software to estimate how shade will affect solar production. If shading is significant, it will be flagged as a potential consideration and discussed in the context of your goals and expectations.

There are many different types of roof penetrations. Some are used for venting plumbing, furnaces, hot water tanks, some are exhaust fans, while others help maintain airflow in the attic space. Roofs may also have chimneys or skylights, which can reduce the available space for solar panels.

Solar panels are typically installed around these penetrations. In some cases, where it's cost-effective, they can be relocated to create more usable roof area. A Solar Accelerator Advisor can provide an example panel layout to help you visualize what a solar arrayThe complete group of solar panels (modules) installed together on a roof or ground-mount that work as a single system to generate electricity. could look like on your roof.

If your roof is not well suited for solar and you have sufficient land available, a ground-mounted system may be a good alternative. Ground-mounted systems are more efficient than rooftop systems because they can be installed at the optimal orientation and tilt angle. However, they also require additional components such as piles, trenching, underground cabling and more elaborate racking which increase overall project costs. For homeowners with enough land, this trade-off can still make sense when roof-mounted solar is not a good fit.

A solar installation requires sufficient space in your electrical panel to accommodate the required solar breakers. If the panel is already full, a subpanel or full panel replacement may be necessary. In some cases, older panels may also require an upgrade, which will add to the project cost, but is usually not prohibitive.

Your local electrical infrastructure, including neighbourhood substations and feeders, must have sufficient capacity to accommodate a new solar connection. Your Solar Accelerator Advisor will check to make sure your house is in an area with capacity for solar generation projects.

In most cases, a solar system is sized to match a home's annual electricity use, assuming sufficient roof space and electrical capacity are available. For example, a home that used 9,000 kWh over the past year could install a system designed to produce approximately 9,000 kWh annually. Under Ontario's net meteringA solar system configuration that allows excess solar electricity to be sent to the grid in exchange for hydro bill credits. These credits can then be used to offset future electricity imports. In Ontario, unused credits expire after 12 months. program, electricity production beyond your annual usage is not compensated, so installing a system that significantly exceeds your consumption is generally not advisable. In most cases, it makes sense to size a system slightly below annual usage, unless a homeowner expects their electricity consumption to increase in the near future.

The appearance of a solar installation is an important consideration for many homeowners. Panel placement, visibility from the street and whether a system is roof-mounted or ground-mounted can all influence how noticeable the installation will be. In some neighbourhoods, homeowner associations (HOAs), heritage designations or local bylaws may have rules that affect panel placement, system visibility or require additional approvals. These considerations do not necessarily prevent solar installation, but they can influence system design. Reviewing any applicable aesthetic guidelines or HOA requirements early in the process helps avoid delays and ensures the final system meets both functional and visual expectations.

Installing solar on a condo building is more complex than on a single-family home. Shared roof space, common electrical infrastructure and condo rules often limit what is permitted and typically require additional approvals. These factors don't necessarily make solar impossible, but they can affect system size, feasibility and project timelines.

Solar panels can add value to a home but it is hard to know how much. Buyers may view solar as a benefit due to lower hydro costs and protection from future energy price increases. However, the impact on resale value will vary based on factors such as system size, age, ownership structure and local market conditions. Financed systems may complicate a sale, as buyers may be hesitant to assume ongoing payments. Considering how long you plan to stay in your home and how the system will be perceived by future buyers is an important part of determining whether solar is the right fit.

If you expect your electricity use to change in the future, this can be factored into the solar system design. If usage is expected to increase, the system can be sized slightly larger to help offset that additional consumption over time. If usage is expected to decrease, sizing the system smaller can help avoid excess net meteringA solar system configuration that allows excess solar electricity to be sent to the grid in exchange for hydro bill credits. These credits can then be used to offset future electricity imports. In Ontario, unused credits expire after 12 months. credits going unused. Considering these changes helps ensure the system is sized appropriately and aligns with your long-term needs.

"Is solar worth it?" is a common question and the answer depends on how you define "worth it." Some homeowners consider a nine-year financial payback worthwhile, while others are comfortable with longer payback periods or may not prioritize financial returns at all. For some, the primary motivation is reducing environmental impact or reliance on the grid. Understanding your priorities is a key first step in determining whether solar aligns with your goals.

If solar looks like a good fit for your home and your goals, the next step is understanding how it works and how much solar electricity your roof could generate.