FindSolar.caResidential Solar Installation
What a proper rooftop solar project actually includes, what it should cost, and how to compare installers before you sign anything.
The short version
A residential solar installation is a construction project, an electrical project and a paperwork project rolled into one. Done well, it takes a few weeks from signed contract to a system that's generating power, and most of that time is permits and utility approvals, not work on your roof.
The single biggest mistake homeowners make is getting one quote. Equipment, warranties, workmanship guarantees and per-watt pricing vary widely between installers. One form that reaches several of them at once is the fastest way to know whether a number is fair.
What you're actually paying for
System design
A site assessment, shade analysis and panel layout sized to your roof and your actual power usage, not a generic package.
Permits & approvals
Electrical permits, municipal approvals where required, and the micro-generation or net-metering application with your utility.
Installation
Racking, panels, inverter, wiring and tie-in by licensed electricians, typically one to three days on site for a standard home.
Monitoring setup
An app or web dashboard so you can see production daily and catch problems early. Ask for it by name in your quote.
Warranty
Panels commonly carry 25-year performance warranties; inverters 10 to 25 years; workmanship coverage varies by installer. Compare this line carefully.
Inspection & energization
Final electrical inspection and utility sign-off before the system is switched on. Your installer should schedule all of it.
From first form to first kilowatt-hour
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Tell us about your home
One 2-minute form: address, roof type, power bill. We pass it to indexed local installers who cover your area.
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Site assessments
Each installer evaluates your roof, shading and electrical panel, and most offer this free. This is where real numbers replace estimates.
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Compare written quotes
Compare equipment brands, per-watt pricing, warranties and production estimates side by side. Ask questions; take your time.
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Permits & installation
Your chosen installer handles permits and utility applications, then installs, usually in one to three days on site.
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Inspection & switch-on
After inspection and utility approval, the system is energized. Your monitoring app shows the first production the same day.
What it should cost
Typical installed range we're seeing quoted in Alberta for standard residential rooftop systems, before any incentives. Other provinces vary with labour, permitting and utility requirements.
For a typical 7 kW system, that works out to roughly $19,000 to $23,000 installed. Quotes below or above this band aren't automatically wrong, since roof complexity, panel brand and electrical upgrades all move the number, but they're a reason to ask more questions.
No calculator replaces a free on-site evaluation. Every real quote should follow a look at your actual roof and panel.
Common questions
How long does the whole process take?
From signed contract to switch-on, most projects take four to ten weeks. The physical installation is usually one to three days; permits and utility approvals account for most of the wait.
Do I need a new roof before going solar?
If your shingles have fewer than about ten years of life left, most installers will recommend re-roofing first. Removing and reinstalling panels later typically costs a few thousand dollars, so it's worth asking each installer to assess roof condition during the site visit.
What happens in winter, or when it's cloudy?
Panels still produce in cold weather, often more efficiently per hour of sun, but short days and snow cover reduce winter output significantly. Net metering or export credits let summer overproduction offset winter use in most provinces. Snow usually slides off tilted panels on its own; never climb up to clear them yourself.
Why do quotes from different installers vary so much?
Equipment brand, inverter type, warranty length, labour rates and overhead all differ. A cheaper quote isn't automatically worse, but if one quote is far below the others, ask what's excluded: monitoring, panel upgrades, warranty terms. This is exactly why comparing several quotes beats trusting one.
Run your own numbers
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