Start with your home, not a panel.
A few practical checks make the next conversation much easier.
How the pieces work together
- PanelsTurn sunlight into electricity.
- InverterMakes that power usable in your home.
- Home & utilityYou use power; eligible surplus may earn a credit.
A battery can store energy for later. Backup operation needs compatible equipment and a professionally designed connection—not just panels on the roof.
Hydro-Québec: how solar works (opens in a new tab)Check the roof and the shade
Gather roof dimensions, roof age, nearby trees and any shaded areas. Ask an installer to assess structure, roof condition, mounting and usable space before ordering.
What to bring to a site review
- A roof plan or measured sketch, plus photos taken safely from the ground.
- Known roof repairs, obstructions and future renovation plans.
- Your preferred equipment location and approximate cable distances.
The roof planner is a layout aid. It does not assess structural strength, fire access or local permitting requirements.
Plan for a Canadian year
Annual output varies by location, roof direction, shading and season. Ask for monthly production estimates so a sunny summer does not hide a winter shortfall.
Explore NRCan’s solar potential maps (opens in a new tab)kW and kWh, without the jargon
- kW measures power
- How quickly a system can generate or deliver electricity at a moment in time.
- kWh measures energy
- How much electricity is generated or used over time. A 1 kW load running for 2 hours uses 2 kWh.
A system’s panel rating is not the same as its yearly energy output.
Decide what should work in an outage
Most grid-connected solar systems shut down when the utility power fails. If backup matters, list your essential loads and how long they must run, then confirm backup capability with your installer.
BC Hydro: solar and power outages (opens in a new tab)Talk to your utility before buying
Connection approval, metering and credit rules vary. Confirm the sequence with your utility and installer before paying for equipment or assuming a rebate.
Find official program sourcesPrepare your installer listing.
Introduce your business. Every listing needs approval before publication.
Offline draft only. Nothing is sent to Solex or Falcrex. Save before closing or reloading, or export a file for later review. Online submission will require the hosted service.
List your solar products.
For manufacturers, distributors and retailers serving Canada. Prepare an enquiry for review.
Offline draft only. Nothing is sent to Solex or Falcrex. Save before closing or reloading, or export a file for later review. Online submission will require the hosted service.
Already planning a system?
Build your system with the saved Solex catalog.