The most important predictors of solar power generation are present and potential shading on the panels (chimneys, trees, other buildings), their slope and orientation towards the sun, and the average annual hours of solar radiation in your location. If you have a southward facing roof or an unshaded area of land a solar system is a smart investment.

Here are some important things to look for when considering your options:

1. Proven track record – with over 13 years of experience, ARISE has completed over 125 successful installs, including applications for building permits and electrical inspections.
2. Quality – At ARISE, our resident certified engineering and design experts ensure that you receive an optimal solar solution to fit your needs.
3. Price – ARISE systems are competitively priced.

A typical residential rooftop system can range from 1 kW to 10kW in size and cost from $12,000 - $80,000.

1. If you are located in Ontario, you can sell your power back to the grid and receive a fixed guaranteed rate for that power for 20 years. You can expect a gross income of approximately $1,900 annually with a 2kW system (for further details see question 8).
2. Here’s how a typical $20,000 investment in solar compares with other investment options:
3. A PV system will increase the resale value of your home. Homes with solar installations have been shown to sell more quickly and sell at a premium.

Solar panels have substantial environmental benefits. Taking into account the mix of resources used for energy generation in Ontario, a typical solar system offsets 272 kg of carbon annually per kilowatt of installed panel. A panel offsets the carbon produced in its manufacturing in 5 years, while it produces clean energy for an average lifespan of 40 years to reduce your carbon footprint.

1. ARISE does not provide tax advice. However, in terms of property taxes, our customers tell us that installing a rooftop solar PV system generally does not affect property value assessments. In the case of a ground-mounted PV system this may constitute a change of land use (for example from agricultural to industrial, which is more expensive) and this could change your annual property taxes.
2. Income tax- the income you earn through the microFIT or FIT program is taxable; however you can deduct this each year until your total accumulated income exceeds the cost of your system. You can also deduct increases to your insurance premium paid as a result of the system, and loan interest if applicable. For more information, contact your financial advisor and CCRA.

Many insurance companies are not yet familiar with solar systems. It is best to contact your insurance provider or broker early to discuss any changes there may be to your premiums. An increase in the replacement value of your home equal to the value of the system can be expected. In most cases this will likely result in a minimal premium increase.

Ontario’s FIT Program is the first of its kind in North America. The program allows you to sell the solar power you generate to the electricity grid. Administered by the Ontario Power Authority, the program is available to residential, commercial, and industrial, and utility-grade installations throughout Ontario. The current 20-year contract offers to purchase power at a prescribed rate of between 44.3 to 80.2 cents per kilowatt hour. (see table below)

For further details about the FIT (>10kW) program or MicroFIT (10kW), click here.

Solar panels are rated by the number of watts (unit of power) they will produce when exposed to sunlight. If you have five 200 watt panels exposed to the sun, they will generate 1kW of power.

While investigating solar panels, you will run into various units and numbers that may seem intimidating. However, unless you want to understand the exact technicalities of how your system is turning solar energy into electricity, there's really only one unit that matters; the kWh.

This is the unit used to buy (and sell) electricity. A watt is a unit expressing power, and 1,000 watts= 1 kilowatt. If you run 1,000 watts for 1 hour, you’ve just used 1 kWh of electricity. Leaving ten 100 watt light bulbs on for 1 hour uses a kWh, or leaving one 100 watt light bulb on for 10 hours.

Now if you have a 1kW solar panel, and it absorbs sunlight for 1 hour, you’ve just generated 1 kWh (which can now be sold for $0.802 under the MicroFIT program). If you live in an area with a PV potential of 1,200 kWh/year (most of Ontario), and you install a 3 kW system, you will generate approximately 3,600 kWh in one year, earning you $2887.20.

Ontario actually has enough annual hours of solar radiation to be considered an excellent site for solar, and is attracting international interest in building large-scale ‘solar farms’ here. The GTA’s latitude is equivalent to the south of France. Germany’s latitude is further north, and it is the world’s leading country with installed solar.

1. Cold – Solar panels often work better during winter months because there is an increase in the conductivity of the metals.
2. Clouds – Even on cloudy days some light is absorbed by the panels, so some power will be produced.
3. Snow – The amount of snow accumulated by your panels largely depends on their tilt. In the case of light snowfall, some amount of light will still reach the panels which may generate enough heat during the day to create a water slick. The snow will then slide off and the panels can then resume producing full power. After heavy snowfall manual removal of the snow may be necessary, but is not recommended; the minimal decreases in power production due to snow will be included in your feasibility study if applicable.

Yes. PV modules measuring 5m2 or more are considered "designated structures" and require a building permit. As part of our all-inclusive turnkey solution, ARISE will take care of any necessary permits or inspections on your behalf.

High quality PV systems are proven to be highly reliable and require little or no maintenance during their lifetime.

You contract is transferrable to the new owners. Research has shown that the resale value of all building types is enhanced when a PV system is installed.