What is net metering in Ontario?

Net metering lets you export surplus solar electricity to the grid in exchange for kilowatt-hour credits. The credits offset your consumption at night and in winter — up to 12 months of carry-forward.

Do I need to face south?

South-facing roofs produce the most, but east- and west-facing arrays perform very well too (typically 80–90% of south output). Our site assessment models each roof plane individually.

How much roof space do I need?

Roughly 60–80 square feet per kilowatt. A typical 8 kW residential system uses about 480–640 sq ft of roof — usually one main plane of a suburban home.

What happens on cloudy days?

Panels still produce (typically 10–25% of peak output). Over a year, Ontario's usable sunlight is comparable to Germany, one of the world's most successful solar markets.

No — grid-tied systems work without batteries. Batteries add outage protection and let you use more of your solar directly, but they lengthen the payback period. We help you weigh the trade-offs.

How solar actually works — explained in plain English.

An honest, jargon-free walkthrough of how a modern residential solar system generates, stores, and shares clean electricity across Ontario's grid.

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From photon to Powerwall — the full solar journey.

Sunlight hits the panels

Photovoltaic (PV) cells absorb photons, knocking electrons loose and creating direct current (DC) electricity. Modern monocrystalline panels perform even on cloudy days.

Excess flows to the grid

When you produce more than you consume, the surplus is exported to the Ontario grid, spinning your meter backwards under net metering.

Inverter converts to AC

A microinverter or string inverter transforms DC into the alternating current (AC) your home uses, matching the utility's 240V standard.

You earn credits

The utility credits your account for every kilowatt-hour exported. Credits carry forward up to 12 months and offset nights, winters, and cloudy days.

Your home uses solar first

Solar-generated electricity powers whatever is running in your home in real time — appliances, lights, EV chargers, HVAC.

Optional battery storage

A home battery stores midday surplus for evenings and grid outages — turning your system into a resilient personal power plant.

Every component in a modern grid-tied system.

Solar Panels

Tier-1 monocrystalline modules, 400–450W each.

Bi-directional Meter

Installed by your utility to measure imports and exports.

Inverter / Microinverters

Enphase IQ8 microinverters or premium string inverters.

Monitoring Gateway

Real-time app on your phone — panel-level performance data.

Racking & Mounting

Aluminum rails with flashed roof attachments — leak-free for decades.

Optional Battery

Tesla Powerwall 3, Enphase IQ Battery, or Franklin aPower.

Production Meter

Tracks how much your system generates, separate from the utility meter.

Rapid Shutdown

Code-required safety device that de-energizes the array in an emergency.

From "yes" to producing power — typically 6 to 10 weeks.

Week 1

Site visit, design, and proposal

Week 4–6

Contract, permits, and utility application

Week 4–6

Equipment procurement and scheduling

Week 7

Installation (1–3 days on your roof)

Week 8–10

ESA inspection and utility grid connection

Frequently Asked Questions

Can't find what you're looking for? Our team is happy to walk you through the details.

Ready to power your next project?

Get a free, no-obligation estimate from Ontario's trusted electrical and solar experts.

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(905) 226-2556

ESA Licensed • Fully Insured • Serving the GTA & Beyond