1. Why should I choose solar?
1.1 Is solar a good investment?
Whether you are a homeowner or a business, electricity costs can make up a large chunk of your monthly expenses. Solar allows you to reduce your electricity bills. Most solar panel manufacturers feature a 25-year output warranty, but panels can continue to generate clean electricity for over 30 years, which means that once the cost of the solar system is paid off, the system will continue to save you money. The price of electricity in Ontario has risen by 5 to 7 per cent annually over the past decade. By producing a portion of your own electricity with solar, you can protect yourself against rising electricity costs and make your monthly bills more predictable. This is particularly useful for homeowners and businesses looking to improve expense forecasting.
1.2 What is the average payback period for solar?
The payback period is the length of time (measured in years) that it will take for the savings generated by your solar panel investment to equal the initial capital cost. Solar will create savings by offsetting costs on your electric bill measured in kWh. For example, Toronto hydro (time of use) rates average about $0.156/kWh, so you save this much with each kWh your solar panels generate. A typical 5 kW system generates about 5,750 kWh per year, meaning you could save you approximately $900 annually. The average payback period for a residential grid-tied system is about 12 to 14 years, without considering any incentives. This can vary by several years depending on your location: sun exposure, shade from trees/buildings, orientation/slope of your roof, electricity rate (time of use or tiered for example), your annual electrical usage, and the financing option that you choose.
1.3 What is the average cost of a solar PV system?
The cost will depend on a number of factors, including the system size, your roof’s sun exposure, the complexity of your roof, shading from nearby structures, solar panel efficiency, and type of inverter, installation fees for example. An average 5 kW system costs approximately $13,000 to 15,000. Speak to a solar installer about the cost of solar for your property.
1.4 Do solar panels require maintenance?
Solar panels require minimal maintenance as they have no moving parts. If something goes wrong, components would be covered, depending on your warranty. Solar panels are usually warrantied for 25 years. The inverter's warranty can range from 10 to 12 to 25 years depending on the type of inverter. Refer to the Solar 101 section for information on the components of solar installations (i.e. inverter).
1.5 Is City financing available for solar?
Yes. The City has two loan programs available for eligible Toronto (postal code starting with M) home and building owners:
1) The Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) offers low-interest financing to help homeowners undertake a variety of home energy upgrades, including solar PV and battery storage, and;
2) The Energy Retrofit Loan (ERL) program offers low-interest loans to help building owners improve the energy efficiency of their buildings. Eligible building include: commercial, retail and industrial, multi-family residential, condominium buildings (common areas only, not individual units), hospitals and long-term care, schools, colleges and universities, not-for-profit, social housing and hospitality.
2. How Does Solar Work
2.1 How do solar photovoltaic (PV) panels work?
Solar panels harvest energy from the sun and convert it into direct current (DC) electricity. Since most homes and businesses run on alternating current (AC) electricity, the DC electricity goes through an inverter, which converts it into AC electricity to power your home or business. Refer to Solar 101 section for more information.
2.2 What are watts, kilowatts and kilowatt hours?
A watt (W) is a unit of power, and power is the rate at which energy is produced or consumed. The size of a solar systems is defined in watts (W), kilowatts (kW) or megawatts (MW). One kW is 1000 W, one MW is 1000 kW. These measures express the maximum output of energy that your solar system produces at any point in time. The electricity your solar panels produce is measured in kilowatt hours (kWh). Kilowatt hours are the units of energy you purchase from your local utility and use in your home to run your appliances, lighting, electronics, etc.
2.3 What are the components of the solar system?
Solar PV systems have five main components:
- Solar panels
- Inverters
- Bi-directional meter (for solar systems connected to the grid)
- Racking and mounting system
- Performance monitoring system (optional)
Refer to Solar 101 section for more information about these components.
2.4 Should I get a monitoring system for my solar installation?
A monitoring system is optional, but is highly recommended as it will provide you with detailed, real-time information about the performance and electricity production of your solar installation. Monitoring systems typically provide a notification if there is an issue, allowing you to respond timely. Many solar installers offer monitoring as part of your installation.
2.5 How long do panels last?
The typical lifespan of solar panels is between 25-30 years. This does not mean that the panels will stop producing electricity after 25 years; but energy production will slowly decline over the lifetime of the panels.
2.6 Do solar panels produce energy when it is cloudy?
Solar panels utilize sunlight to generate power, so they will still produce electricity when clouds are present, but they will produce less energy than they would on a sunny day.
2.7 What about snow cover on the panels?
When the panels are covered in snow, they will not be able to generate much power. If your panels are safely accessible (using a long-handled broom for example) you have the option to clear the snow off to maximize production. Most panels are installed on a slope, so snow should slip off easily once the sun comes out and the panels warm up. Snow is usually not heavy enough to cause structural damage to the panels.
2.8 What happens to the system during a grid outage?
If the solar array is connected to the grid, it will automatically shut off during a blackout to prevent repair crews working to identify and repair the points of failure, from being injured when your panels send power back to the grid. However, if you invest in a battery back-up system, the system will isolate itself from the grid during a power outage and provide power to critical functions such as your sump pump, refrigerator, and lighting for example.
2.9 Will small animals (squirrels, rodents, raccoons, cats, birds) damage my solar equipment?
Animals can nest and potentially damage the wiring under your solar panels. In order to turn your system on, it must be inspected and approved by the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA), which requires rodent protection to be present for rooftop solar installations. Ensure that your solar contractor includes rodent guards as part of your solar installation.
2.10 Is my roof suitable for solar?
A number of factors must be considered when evaluating a solar energy system for your roof:
- the roof type;
- the size, shape, and slope;
- obstructions on the roof; and
- the age and condition of the roof.
- Most types of rooftops, including sloped roofs with asphalt shingles, metal shingles, and flat roofs with any kind of membrane are compatible with solar panels.
- The size, shape, and slope of your roof also impact solar feasibility. In the Northern hemisphere the optimal orientation for solar panels is on a south-facing roof with a slope between 10 and 45 degrees. East/west-facing sloped roofs also work well but can result in an average of 15 per cent less output in comparison. Some locations may not be ideal for solar due to extensive shading from nearby trees and or tall buildings. Smaller amounts of shading can be addressed by installing micro-inverters or power optimizers to enhance system performance (visit Solar 101 for more information).
- Obstructions on your roof, including chimneys, skylights, and vents, cannot have solar panels installed over them. If your roof is small, you could opt for higher efficiency panels which would maximize the solar energy production in the limited space. For flat roofs with multiple obstructions such as mechanical equipment, a raised canopy solar installation could be considered (at a cost premium). A sufficiently raised solar canopy would allow the obstructions to remain undisturbed below.
- Before installing solar, consider the age and condition of your roof. It is not recommended to install solar on a roof that is more than 10 years old (dependent on condition). If the roof will need to be replaced soon, it is best to re-roof and install solar at the same time or shortly after in order to avoid the cost of removing the panels, replacing the roof, and then reconnecting the solar installation. The 10-year rule is not set in stone, for instance if you purchased a solar system raised on a canopy (for large flat roof) then it may be possible for your roof to be resurfaced without removing the panels. If you are concerned about the age or condition of your roof, please consult a roofer for advice.
2.11 Shading from trees is making solar unviable, should I cut down trees to go solar?
Significant shading from trees can prevent direct sunlight from reaching the solar panels on your roof, meaning the solar panels will not generate at their maximum potential. You may be able to prune several branches before installing solar on your property but removing trees is not advisable as they provide their own benefits to you and your neighborhood. Additionally, tree removal requires a special permit from the City. For more information regarding removing or damaging trees on private property visit the City’s Permit to Remove or Injure Trees website or contact 311. It is important to also consider the projected growth of vegetation at the design stage of the solar system, particularly in the case of ground-mounted systems.
2.12 Can I install solar myself?
The best way to install solar is through a qualified professional with the required certifications. Installing solar without a qualified professional is not advised.
2.13 Will the solar panel installation damage my roof?
The installation of solar panels should not damage your roof as long as your solar installer is a licensed, qualified professional and your roof is in good condition. Solar panels add additional weight to your roof but rarely compromise the structural integrity as most roofs are designed to hold much more weight. If you are concerned about your roof, consult a roofing professional or structural engineer to evaluate the condition of your roof. Solar panels can actually protect and extend the life of your roof by shielding the roof membrane from ultraviolet (UV) exposure, and direct contact with the elements (wind, rain, and snow) that can degrade the roof more quickly.
2.14 Will the solar installer make holes in my roof?
On sloped roofs, it is standard practice for installers to penetrate the roof with bolts that secure the solar panel racking system in place. To prevent water from leaking through the penetrations, the bolt fixtures are surrounded by flashing, which is an aluminum or plastic shield that fits under existing roofing material. Most solar installations on flat roofs do not require any penetrations. The panels and racking system are simply ballasted (weighed down with concrete blocks) to secure the panels to the roof.
2.15 Can I put solar panels on my garage?
Although it is possible to put solar on adjacent structures such as a detached garage or a shed, the roof of the house should always be considered first due to proximity of the electrical panel and ease of connection. Solar feasibility for your garage or shed would depend on the roof's suitability for solar including structural integrity and availability of an existing electricity run. In absence of an existing electrical run, trenching will be required to connect the solar to your home's electrical panel and will increase the overall project cost.
2.16 Should I install batteries with my solar panels?
Batteries are a great addition to improve your property's resiliency in the case of a grid power outage, but are completely optional. Your solar array will likely be “grid-tied”, which means that any electricity generated by your solar installation will first be used by your property, and any excess will be exported into the grid. You can also draw electricity from the grid when the solar panels are not generating. A battery gives you the ability to store excess energy on site for later use. This stored energy can be used in a number of different ways:
1. Peak-shaving
a. Charging your battery (using the grid) at night when electricity is cheaper, to be discharged during peak times when electricity is more expensive.
b. Charging your battery when your solar panels produce more electricity than you need at the moment, and storing it for use when the sun is not available.
2. Resilience
a. A battery can act as a back-up generator, helping to power your property during a power outage. Your grid-tied system will automatically shut down during a power outage due to safety concerns for line workers.
3. Reliability
A battery gives you the option to install a somewhat smaller solar energy system. Solar is an intermittent form of energy, meaning we cannot just turn it on and off when we need it. The addition of a battery makes solar more reliable by allowing you to store electricity for later use. Battery technology is still quite expensive and will increase your up-front costs. If you want to delay your investment in the battery, ask your installer to make your solar installation ‘battery ready’. Refer to Storage 101 for more information.
2.17 What is a solar canopy?
Solar canopies are raised structures with solar panels attached. Solar canopies can be installed over parking lots and paved areas to allow the intended activities to continue below. Solar canopies for cars (solar carports) provide shading for cars, mitigate the urban heat island effect, and can integrate electric vehicle charging stations. Solar canopies are more costly than regular rooftop systems, but they make use of underutilized space. Solar canopies are similar to ground-mounted solar installations, except that canopies are taller to create more space underneath. A number of regulations apply to ground-mounted installations and solar canopies. Please refer to the 'Permitting' section to learn about permitting requirements.
2.1 Can I add to my solar system over time?
Yes. If your roof has enough usable space and you anticipate adding to your system in the future (e.g. to accommodate an electric vehicle purchase), make sure you discuss this with your installer so that the system can be designed to scale up over time. Adding more panels later will add to the overall cost of the system.
2.2 I am designing a new building/substantial renovation, how can I plan for the eventual installation of a solar system?
When solar design is not considered in the early stages of construction/renovation of a building, a solar installation may become technically impossible or the added cost of making infrastructure changes may make solar financially unviable. If you plan to go solar, discuss 'solar ready' design considerations with your contractor/electrician so they know how to best support your future solar goals. Some specific considerations are to add an extra electrical conduit (1/2 to 3⁄4 inch) from the main panels up to the roof while the walls are open and to locate any roof obstructions on the north side to avoid future shading. Two key guiding documents to refer to and to share with your contractor: 'Solar Ready Guidelines' on Natural Resources Canada (NRCAN) webpage 'Planning and Decision Guide for Solar PV Systems' on Natural Resources Canada (NRCAN) webpage
3. Electricity Consumption
3.1 How do I find out how much electricity I consume?
The best way to find out how much electricity you consume and how much you pay is to review your monthly Toronto Hydro bill. You can add up your usage (in kWh) over 12 months to see how much electricity you use over the course of a year. Solar systems should be sized based on the energy output that is required to meet your home/building's demand. The payback period for solar can change depending on your electricity rate (time of use, tiered or spot price). The Ontario Energy Board website explains how to read your electricity bill, please visit Understanding your electricity bill | Ontario Energy Board (oeb.ca). The Ontario Energy Board explains of Time of Use rates on their website, visit Managing costs with time-of-use rates | Ontario Energy Board (oeb.ca) for more information.
3.2 Do I receive an electricity bill if I have solar panels?
Unless your solar energy system includes battery storage and you are disconnected from the electricity grid (very rare in Toronto), you will receive an electricity bill. However, you can drastically reduce your bill, with a solar system that matches your energy consumption but delivery charges from Toronto Hydro will still apply.
3.3 I just moved in to my building, how do I assess my energy usage?
If you only have limited consumption data, your installer should roughly estimate your annual consumption to recommend the appropriate size of the solar system. Provide them with as much information as possible to help them with their estimate. If you have not yet moved in to your new building or into a building that has undergone major renovation, you would need to consult an electrician for your electrical load forecast.
3.4 Why should I make energy efficiency a priority before I install solar?
We highly encourage you to consider doing home energy efficiency upgrades, such as replacing windows, improving insulation, converting to LED lighting, etc. before installing solar. Working to decrease your consumption is a good place to start because then the solar installation will satisfy a larger portion of your needs. BetterHomesTO is a great resource to explore your options for energy efficiency.
3.5 Is there a benefit to generating more electricity than my home/building uses?
Your solar installer should ensure that the solar generation does not exceed your consumption for a few reasons:
1. It is unlikely that Toronto Hydro will allow you to connect a system that generates more than you consume because the grid infrastructure does not have the capacity to accept that amount of excess electricity generated from distributed sources.
2. The way Toronto Hydro’s Net Metering program works is that any excess electricity generated will be exported to the grid in exchange for a credit on your electricity bill (to be used when your solar is not generating as much). These credits are only valid for 12 months, so there is no benefit to generating more electricity than your home/building uses on an annual basis. For more information about the Net Metering program, visit Net Metering - Toronto Hydro.
3.6 What is Net Metering?
Grid-tied systems in Toronto benefit from the Net Metering program offered by Toronto Hydro. When your solar panels produce more electricity than you need, the Net Metering program allows you to send that excess energy to the grid in exchange for bill credits. These credits can be used to offset the cost of electricity used from the grid at night/during the winter months when solar production is lower. For more information about the Net Metering program, visit Net Metering - Toronto Hydro.
3.7 Is the Net Metering credit recognized in kWh or a dollar value?
The credit accrued is a dollar value based on the electricity rate at the time of generation. This means that if you are on Time-of-Use pricing and your solar installation is exporting at the peak rate, then you will be credited at the peak rate.
3.8 Will I need to upgrade my electrical panel?
The electrical panel at your property will distribute the electricity generated by your solar panels. Most buildings will not require an electrical panel upgrade to accommodate solar power. However, if your electrical panel is fairly old, a detailed inspection by a licensed electrician will inform you if require an upgrade. If the amperage of your electrical panel is low, it will limit the size of your solar system. If you desire a larger solar system, upgrading your electrical panel may be required. Again, a licensed electrician can best assess your situation and guide you. Your solar installer should include the cost of the upgrade in your quote, if required.
4. Permitting and Approvals
4.1 What are the permitting requirements for solar?
All grid connected solar projects in Toronto must meet Net Metering interconnection requirements. All solar projects including rooftop and ground-mounted solar require a building permit. Ground-mount solar installations, depending on the location, size and nature of the project, may require additional approvals, permits and/or authorizations from provincial Ministries and approving bodies. Refer to the 'Permitting section' (to be posted on the website soon) for more details.
4.2 What if I am in a heritage district or have a heritage building, can I still install solar?
Heritage Planning supports solar installations on heritage buildings provided that the panels are minimally visible from street view. Heritage Planning should be contacted for approval of the intended address prior to commencing a solar installation. The review by Heritage Planning staff will take into account the visibility of the solar panels, the roof form of the building, and the specific heritage attributes of individually designated heritage properties or Heritage Conservation Districts. To find out more, visit the Planning for Heritage website: Planning for Heritage – City of Toronto.
4.3 What if a new development in my neighborhood affects my solar access?
There are no by-laws protecting 'Right to Light' in Toronto. If you are concerned about shading impacts from new developments around your property, we recommend you review Toronto's Official Plan policies and zoning on surrounding properties and determine the level of risk of a future shadow impact.
4.3 What if a new development in my neighborhood affects my solar access?
There are no by-laws protecting 'Right to Light' in Toronto. If you are concerned about shading impacts from new developments around your property, we recommend you review Toronto's Official Plan policies and zoning on surrounding properties and determine the level of risk of a future shadow impact.