Understand solar before anyone sells it to you
Short, specific guides written for Canadian homes. No sales pitch: where solar doesn't pay, we say so.
The basics
- How rooftop solar worksFrom sunlight to your meter: what panels and inverters do, the difference between kW and kWh, and what really drives output on a Canadian roof.4 min
- Home batteries explainedWhat a home battery can and can't do, how to read capacity and power ratings, and when a battery actually pays for itself in Canada.5 min
- Solar in Canadian wintersSnow, cold and short days: what really happens to solar panels in a Canadian winter, and why annual numbers matter more than December.4 min
- Solar panels and inverters: what to knowPanel types, wattage, warranties and degradation, plus how string inverters, microinverters and optimizers compare on Canadian roofs.5 min
Money
- Ontario: net metering vs the HRSP solar rebateOntario homeowners can take the Home Renovation Savings Program solar rebate or use net metering, but not both. Here is how to choose.5 min
- What solar costs in CanadaTypical installed prices per watt in Canada and Ontario, how to read a solar quote, what drives the price, and which incentives no longer exist.5 min
- Buying, leasing or financing solarCash, loans, property-tax financing and leases compared, with the trade-offs of each and the sales red flags to watch for.5 min
Rates and rules
Your home
- Is my roof suitable for solarDirection, pitch, shade, roof age and structure: a practical checklist for whether your roof is a good candidate for solar panels.5 min
- Permits and connecting solar to the gridThe usual steps from site assessment to switching on: design, permits, electrical inspection, utility connection and meter changes.4 min
Looking for a term? See the glossary.