Your next step
What will the solar consultant do?
Understand how we help clarify your goals, assess options and organize the next steps.
The Solar Associates resource centre
Clear answers.
A brighter starting point.
Explore practical guides for your home, business or community, then start a conversation about your project.
26 guides
Residential
Is my home suitable for solar?
Start with your roof condition, available space and shading. A large roof alone does not establish suitability: the layout, structural condition and electrical connection also need review.
Residential
How does solar work in a Northern Ontario winter?
Solar production varies through the year. Winter planning should account for shorter days, shading and snow cover rather than assuming every month produces the same energy.
Residential
Rooftop or ground-mounted solar?
The right location depends on usable roof area, available land, shading and the distance to the electrical connection. A ground mount can offer layout flexibility, but introduces land use and site work considerations.
Residential
What size solar system does my home need?
System sizing begins with electricity use and your goals. Panel count is an outcome of the design, not a reliable starting point on its own.
Costs
What affects the cost of a solar installation?
Two solar quotes can differ because the projects include different equipment, site work and responsibilities. A useful budget separates the system from upgrades, approvals and installation requirements.
Costs
How should I evaluate solar savings?
A useful savings estimate begins with your actual electricity bills and a site-specific production forecast. A single advertised payback figure cannot describe every property.
Programs
Understanding net metering in Ontario
Net metering connects renewable generation with your utility billing arrangement. Before selecting equipment, discuss eligibility, connection requirements and the proposed system with your electricity distributor.
Programs
Solar batteries and backup: what to ask
Ask explicitly whether the proposed system supports backup during an outage. Solar generation, battery storage and backup operation are separate design decisions.
Approvals
Building permits and solar project approvals
Approval requirements depend on your property, municipality and installation design. Confirm the local process early so the schedule accounts for required documents and reviews.
Approvals
Electrical safety and ESA coordination
Electrical safety is part of project planning, not simply a final check. The electrical work and required notifications should be coordinated with the appropriate licensed professionals.
Approvals
Connecting your solar system to the utility
Utility connection is a separate workstream within a solar project. Your distributor needs to assess the proposed connection, and its requirements should be reflected in the design and schedule.
Turnkey
What does a turnkey solar solution include?
Turnkey should mean a clearly defined, coordinated scope. Solar Associates brings together planning, engineering coordination, permits, electrical safety, equipment, installation and commissioning as applicable to the project.
Turnkey
How to compare solar installers and proposals
Choose an installer by reviewing the complete proposal and delivery approach. A low equipment price is only one part of the decision.
Turnkey
Preparing for your solar installation
A solar project includes planning and approvals as well as physical installation. The overall schedule depends on the site, scope and external reviews.
Turnkey
Commissioning, monitoring and handover
Handover is your opportunity to understand the completed system. It should explain operation, available monitoring, support contacts and the records you need to retain.
Commercial
Is commercial solar right for my business?
A business solar project should begin with operational priorities. Energy use, building ownership, roof condition and long-term occupancy all shape the opportunity.
Commercial
Commercial solar feasibility studies
A feasibility study helps determine whether a project deserves further investment. It should examine the site, energy needs, technical options and financial assumptions together.
Commercial
Solar for farms and rural properties
Farm projects may involve several buildings, varied energy loads and useful land. Start by establishing which electrical service and activities the proposed system will support.
Commercial
Solar for warehouses and industrial buildings
A large roof creates a potential opportunity, but roof condition, structure and the business’s electricity profile must still be evaluated. Project timing should also consider disruption to operations.
First Nations
Starting a First Nations solar project
Community priorities should shape the project from the outset. Early planning can clarify the intended benefits, decision process and information needed before developing a technical proposal.
First Nations
What belongs in a community feasibility study?
A community feasibility study should connect technical options with the community’s goals and implementation capacity. It helps identify the information still needed before advancing the project.
First Nations
Preparing a solar grant application
A strong application connects an eligible project with the funder’s stated objectives. Funding opportunities change, so confirm the current program rules before preparing a submission.
First Nations
Building a solar project business plan
A solar business plan explains how the project will be developed, operated and supported over time. It should make the assumptions and responsibilities clear to decision-makers.
Care
Solar maintenance and performance monitoring
Monitoring gives you a starting point for understanding system performance. A change in readings should be reviewed in context with weather, season and equipment alerts.
Decision
Your first solar consultation: what to bring
You do not need a finished project plan to begin. A useful first conversation connects your goals with the property, electricity use and work that may be required.