Mechanical
Solar panel installation and maintenance
Residential and commercial solar panel installation, battery storage, panel cleaning, inverter repair, inspections and solar maintenance for homes and businesses across Canada and the US. Request a free quote online. For homeowners, landlords and property managers. Quote requests by email.
What's covered
- Residential Solar InstallationA home system is designed from twelve months of electricity bills, the roof area that gets good sun, and local weather. The quote shows the panel layout, the number and type of panels, the inverter setup (a central inverter, microinverters or optimizers), the expected yearly production and how the system connects to the utility. A ground mount is an option when the roof is too shaded or too small.
- Commercial Solar InstallationCommercial systems are usually sized around daytime demand, roof load capacity and the utility's rules for larger connections. Flat roofs use tilted, ballasted or attached racking, so the roof membrane and structure need to be reviewed first. Larger projects may need engineering drawings, a utility interconnection study and more lead time for permits.
- Solar Battery StorageA battery stores solar power for the evening or for an outage. Sizing depends on what you want to keep running, such as the fridge, furnace fan, sump pump and some lights, and for how long. Batteries can be added to many existing systems, though older inverters sometimes have to be changed. Backup also needs a way to isolate the house from the grid during an outage, which the quote should explain.
- Solar Panel CleaningRain removes light dust, but pollen, bird droppings, tree sap, farm dust and road grime can build up, especially on low-tilt panels. Panels are cleaned with soft brushes and purified water, without pressure washers or harsh chemicals that can damage the glass coating or seals. Roof access and the safety setup are the main factors in the price.
- Solar Maintenance & RepairCommon repairs include connectors that have worked loose or corroded, wiring chewed by squirrels, cracked panels, loose mounts and monitoring that has stopped reporting. Mesh guards around the edge of the array can keep birds and squirrels out. A yearly maintenance visit checks output, wiring, mounts and the inverter so small problems are found before they cost production.
- Inverter Repair & ReplacementThe inverter turns the panels' direct current into power your building can use, and it is usually the first part of a system to wear out. Warning lights, error codes or a sudden drop to zero production often point to it. A replacement can be a like-for-like swap, or a move to a battery-ready hybrid inverter if you plan to add storage later.
- Solar System InspectionsAn inspection compares actual output with what the system should produce, then tests strings, connectors and the inverter, checks the mounts and roof penetrations, and looks for shade that has grown in since installation. It is useful when output has dropped, after hail or a major storm, or before buying a property that already has solar. You get a written report of what was found.
- Panel Removal & ReinstallRoofs often need replacing while the solar system still has years of life left. Panels, racking and wiring are taken down, labelled and stored, then reinstalled on the new roof with new flashing where needed, and the system is tested before it is switched back on. Planning the timing with the roofer keeps the system offline for as short a time as possible.
How the work is handled
- Sized From Your BillsA system should be sized from twelve months of electricity use and what your roof can actually hold, not from a standard package.
- Roof Checked FirstPanels stay up for decades. If the roof will need replacing in a few years, that should come up before anything is bolted to it.
- Realistic Production EstimatesShading, roof direction, tilt and local weather all change output. Estimates should account for them, in kWh per year, in writing.
- Incentives ExplainedRebates, tax credits and net metering rules differ by province, state and utility. A good quote says which ones may apply and what you need to do to claim them.
- Existing Systems WelcomeLow output, a failed inverter, dirty panels or a roof replacement coming up. Requests for systems someone else installed are welcome.
- Form Only, Your PaceSend the details when it suits you. Nobody calls you before you ask for a quote.
By climate
- Long, cold winters with heavy snow and a short, warm summerSnow can sit on panels for weeks and output drops to almost nothing, so ask how the racking angle helps snow slide off. Installs mostly happen from spring to fall, and the quote should cover snow guards above walkways and entrances.
- Wet maritime weather, salt air, many freeze-thaw cycles and storm-driven rain and snowSalt air works its way into connectors, clamps and mounting bolts, so corrosion-resistant hardware matters as much as the panels themselves. Storm winds also test the racking, and a good quote spells out the wind rating and how often wiring and seals will be inspected.
- Four seasons: humid summers, cold winters with snow and repeated freeze-thawRepeated freeze-thaw around roof penetrations is the usual weak point, so ask exactly how the mounts are flashed and sealed. Pollen and leaf debris also coat panels in late spring and fall, which makes a yearly cleaning and inspection worth adding to the plan.
- Hot, humid summers, mild winters, heavy storms and in coastal areas hurricanes; pests and mold all yearHigh heat lowers panel efficiency and humidity speeds up corrosion in junction boxes, so airflow under the array and sealed connections both matter. Where hurricanes hit, ask how the system is anchored for high winds and how it is removed and reinstalled for roof repairs.
- Desert heat, strong sun and UV, dust, monsoon downpours, very little freezingDust settles on panels between rare rains and cuts output until someone washes it off, ideally early in the morning before the glass heats up. Strong UV also ages cables and inverters faster, so ask where the inverter will sit and whether it gets shade.
- Dry, high-altitude climate with strong UV, big day-night swings, snow and freeze-thawCold, clear days at altitude are good for output, but big temperature swings stress mounts, wiring and roof seals. Heavy snow loads are the other concern, so ask about racking strength and where snow will land once it sheds off the array.
- Mild, wet marine climate: long rainy seasons, moss and moisture, little hard freezing near the coastLong gray seasons mean output depends heavily on the best roof angle and on avoiding shade from tall trees. Moss and lichen also grow along panel frames and under the array, so ask whether cleaning and a moisture check of the roof underneath are part of maintenance.
- Dry summers and wet winters, wildfire smoke and ash, earthquakes, almost no snow on the coastWildfire ash and summer dust coat panels during the sunniest months, so a cleaning after smoke events pays off quickly. Ask about battery backup for power shutoffs during fire season and how the racking is secured against earthquake movement on the roof.
- Extreme cold, permafrost in places, very short building season and remote freightLong summer daylight makes solar useful, but winter output is close to zero, so systems are usually sized around batteries or another power source. Parts take a long time to arrive, which means the quote should list spare components and an install window that fits the short season.
Every written quote covers
- System size and yearly output
- Panel, inverter and battery models
- Roof condition and mounting method
- Permits and utility connection
- Incentives that may apply
- Itemized pricing
Questions
Is my roof a good fit for solar?
It depends on direction, tilt, shading and condition. South, east and west facing roofs can all work, and flat commercial roofs use tilted racking. Heavy shade from trees or nearby buildings cuts output a lot. If the roofing is near the end of its life, it is usually better to replace it before panels go on.
How much does a solar system cost?
It depends on system size, panel and inverter type, roof type and complexity, whether a battery is included, permit and utility fees, and local labour costs. Incentives can change the net price. The only reliable number is a written quote based on your roof and your usage.
Does solar work in Canadian winters?
Yes, with lower output. Panels produce less on short winter days and nothing while covered with snow, then make up for it from spring to fall. Cold does not hurt panels, and they often run more efficiently in cool, sunny weather. That is why production estimates should be yearly, not monthly.
Do I need a battery?
Not always. Where net metering is available, extra daytime power can be credited by the utility, and a battery is optional. A battery makes sense if you want backup power during outages, if your utility pays little for exported power, or if time-of-use rates make evening power expensive.
What maintenance do solar panels need?
Not much, but not none. A yearly check of output, wiring, mounts and the inverter catches most problems early. Panels may need cleaning where dust, pollen, bird droppings or road grime build up and rain does not wash them off. The inverter is usually the first part to wear out.
My system produces less than it used to. What should I check?
Compare with the same months last year, since output changes with the seasons. Check the inverter for warning lights or error codes and look for new shade or dirt on the panels. If output is still low, an inspection can test each string and find failed panels, connectors or inverter faults.
Do you work on systems another company installed?
Yes. Inspections, cleaning, repairs, inverter replacement, and removal and reinstallation for roof work are all available for existing systems. Mention the age of the system and the equipment brand if you know it.
How do I get a quote?
Email us your city, the type of property and the service you need. For a new system, your average monthly electricity bill helps a lot. A specialist who works in your area follows up. Requesting a quote is free and there is no obligation to go ahead.
Cities
British Columbia
New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Labrador
Northwest Territories
Nunavut
Ontario
Prince Edward Island
Quebec
- Laval
- Terrebonne
- Mascouche
- Repentigny
- Blainville
- Boisbriand
- Sainte-Thérèse
- Mirabel
- Saint-Eustache
- Deux-Montagnes
- Montréal
- Plateau Mont-Royal
- Outremont
- Westmount
- Mont-Royal
- Saint-Laurent
- Anjou
- LaSalle
- Verdun
- Pointe-Claire
- Dollard-des-Ormeaux
- Kirkland
- Beaconsfield
- Dorval
- Rosemont
- Longueuil
- Brossard
- Boucherville
- Saint-Hubert
- Québec City
- Gatineau
- Sherbrooke
- Trois-Rivières
- Saguenay
- Lévis
- Saint-Jérôme
- Drummondville
- Rosemère
- Bois-des-Filion
- Lorraine
- Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines
- Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac
- Oka
- Pointe-Calumet
- Saint-Joseph-du-Lac
- Charlemagne
- L'Assomption
- Saint-Sulpice
- Lachine
- Montréal-Nord
- Saint-Léonard
- Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve
- Ahuntsic-Cartierville
- Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension
- Le Sud-Ouest
- Côte-des-Neiges–NDG
- Ville-Marie
- Pierrefonds-Roxboro
- Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles
- L'Île-Bizard–Sainte-Geneviève
- Côte-Saint-Luc
- Hampstead
- Baie-D'Urfé
- Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue
- Senneville
- Montréal-Est
- Montréal-Ouest
- Saint-Lambert
- Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville
- La Prairie
- Candiac
- Sainte-Catherine
- Saint-Constant
- Chambly
- Carignan
- Saint-Basile-le-Grand
- Beloeil
- Mont-Saint-Hilaire
- Varennes
- Vaudreuil-Dorion
- L'Île-Perrot
- Pincourt
Yukon
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Hawaii
Idaho
Iowa
Kentucky
Massachusetts
Minnesota
Mississippi
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
West Virginia
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