So, you’ve been thinking about going solar.
You’ve probably heard about the energy savings, the government incentives, and maybe even how solar energy can keep your lights on when the power goes out. Sounds great, right?
But there’s a question that comes up right away:
“Is my home actually a good fit for solar?”
At True Beacon, we’ve helped hundreds of homeowners in Ottawa and the surrounding area figure that out. And the truth is it depends. Your home doesn’t need to be perfect, but a few key things do matter.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly what to look at:
- Your roof shape and direction
- How much sunlight your home gets
- How much power you use
- And some simple tools you can use to figure it all out
What Is Solar Potential, Anyway?
“Solar potential” is just another way to say how well your home can use sunlight to make electricity.
Think about it this way. The more sun your roof gets, and the more power your home uses, the more you can get out of using solar. This means your home will get more value if it needs a lot of power and the roof catches plenty of sun.
But it is not only about sunlight. A few things matter here:
- The way your roof is shaped and which way it faces
- Where there are shaded spots from things like trees or chimneys
- The amount of energy you use
- And what your plans are, do you want to save money, keep the power on during blackouts, or do both?
Some people have a small roof and pay less on their bills. Others have a big roof but spend more on power. Both can be a good fit, but the reasons are not the same.
Roof Orientation, Tilt, and Shade
Your roof is the main stage for your solar energy system, so its shape, direction, and how much shade it gets will all play a big role in your solar potential.
Here’s what we look for:
Roof Direction (a.k.a. Which Way It Faces)
- South-facing roofs get the most sunlight throughout the day, which is ideal in Ottawa.
- East- and west-facing roofs still work great! You might see a small dip in energy production, but it’s nothing that smart design can’t handle.
- North-facing roofs are less efficient, but in some cases, we can install on garages or other roof sections.
Roof Tilt and Shape
- A good tilt (usually between 15°–40°) helps panels soak up more of the solar radiations.
- Got a flat roof? No problem. Our solar installers can use mounting equipment to angle the panels just right.
- We also look at things like dormers, skylights, vents, and how much usable space is actually available.
Shade from Trees or Structures
Even a little shade can lower your system’s output. We’ll look at nearby trees, buildings, chimneys, and anything else that could block sunlight during peak hours.
Pro Tip:
“A bit of morning or late afternoon shade isn’t a dealbreaker. What matters most is how much sun your roof gets between 10 AM and 3 PM.”
At True Beacon, we do a full shading analysis during your site visit. That way, we know exactly where to place your panels and where not to.
Amount of Sunlight You Get in Ottawa
You may say cold winters and gray days mean solar will not work in Ottawa. But the truth is this. Ottawa gets enough sunlight. Solar can work very well here.
On average, Ottawa gets about 1,200 to 1,400 units of power per square meter in a year. That’s enough sunshine to keep the system working well at any time of the year.
Does solar still work in winter?
Yes, that’s right. Even if there is snow on the ground or clouds in the sky, your panels will still take any sunlight they get and change it into power.
In fact:
- Cold weather helps the panels work better. They may not work as well when it gets too hot, but cold does not hurt them.
- Snow often slides off the panels fast, mostly when they are set at an angle.
- The amount of sunlight can drop a little in winter, but summer gives more long days to make up for it.
What about shade?
This is where planning your system the right way comes in. A bit of shade in the morning or at night will not ruin your setup. But if there is a lot of shade at noon, that is important. We need to think about this when we plan your layout.
That is why True Beacon does real-world shading analysis when they check your site. There is no guessing and no surprises.
Your Energy Usage (AKA: Is Solar Worth It?)
A big part of your solar potential isn’t on your roof, it’s in your monthly power bill.
The more energy you use, the more you stand to save. That’s because your system is replacing power you’d otherwise buy from the utility and trust us, that stuff isn’t getting cheaper.
What kind of usage makes solar worth it?
If you’re paying $200 or more per month on electricity, solar is almost always worth a serious look. That kind of usage means your system can offset a large chunk of your utility bill, leading to long-term potential savings often $50,000 or more over the lifespan of the system.
Key System Factors: Size, Panels, and Energy Efficiency
Not every home is the same. A solar system will not be the same for every home, either.
Some people need a big setup when they use a lot of power. Others may have a small system because they do not use that much. The way their place is set up can also help them save power.
What Does a System Cost in Ontario?
Let’s not dance around it. A proper residential solar system in Ontario—typically between 5 to 15 kW will run between $18,000 to $38,000.
That includes everything:
- Panels
- Inverters
- Racking
- Permits
- Labor
- Inspections
Want backup power too? A battery system like the Tesla Powerwall will add another $10,000 to $18,000 depending on your setup.
But here’s the thing: you’re not paying full price.
With Ontario and federal incentives, plus the $40,000 0% loan program, most homeowners can spread the cost out over 10 years often with no upfront payment.
And here’s the payoff:
- Average savings per year: $1,100 to $2,500
- Payback period: 7–11 years
- Lifetime savings (25–30 years): $32,000 to $80,000+
This is an asset. It boosts your home value by about 3–4%, helps you sidestep rising hydro prices, and turns every sunny day into money in your pocket.
At True Beacon, we make our systems using numbers that come from real life. We do not keep using the same guesses again and again. Here is what we check:
System Size
Your system size is shown in kilowatts (kW). This shows how much power your system can make when everything is going right.
Things that affect system size:
- Your hydro bills show how much energy you use.
- The roof size and the way your roof is set up.
- The part of your bill that you want to cover.
- The amount of sunlight your area gets (Ottawa gets a lot!).
Number of Panels
This one’s simple:
- If you want to get more power, you have to add more panels.
- But if you use high-end panels, you can get the same amount of power with less of them.
Most homes in Ottawa have between 10 and 30 panels. The number you get will be based on how much energy you use in the home. It will also depend on the roof space you have.
Solar Panel Efficiency
Solar panel efficiency tells you how well a panel can turn sunlight into power that you can use. It shows how good the panel is at doing this job.
- Higher-power panels give you more energy for each square foot.
- A great choice for homes that do not have much roof space.
- We have standard panels and top panels to fit your setup and budget.
We will talk with you about your choices when you get your quote. We will also tell you about the good and bad sides of each choice. There will be no pressure, just the facts.
Tools You Can Use at Home to Estimate Your Solar Fit
Not fully set to book a full assessment now? That’s no problem.
There are some tools that can show you how your home may work with solar power. These tools do not take the place of a real home check, but they do help you get an idea of how much your system might make.
If this tool is offered where you live, it will use pictures taken from space to figure out how much sunlight your roof gets. It will also show how much you might save by using sun panels. You just need to type in your address and the tool will do the rest for you.
2. PVWatts Calculator (by NREL)
This tool is a bit more technical, but it is still very helpful. You only need to enter your location, the roof angle, and the size of your setup. It tells you how much energy you will make each year. You can find it by searching “PVWatts” on Google.
3. MyHEAT Solar Potential Maps
This Canada-based platform gives homeowners a “solar score” by looking at where your roof is, how much sun hits it, and a few other things. It is really good for people in Ottawa who want something that fits our weather and climate.
4. Mobile Apps
There are many free or low-cost smartphone apps that help you measure roof pitch, see how much shade is on it, and even show where solar panels might go by using your camera.
Try apps like:
- SolarEdge’s Site Survey Tool
- Solmetric SunEye
- Solar Calculator Canada
A Quick Heads-Up
These tools can help you. But they are still only guesses. They do not always count things like:
- Shade from trees or buildings near the roof
- Roof things like vents or skylights
- The electrical setup inside your home
This is where True Beacon’s site visit really helps. We come to your house and see everything in person. We do not just use satellite data for this. The plan is made for your house and not only by looking at a map.
What True Beacon Checks During a Site Visit
Online tools are helpful at the start. But to design a solar system that works for your home, we need to see things in person.
At True Beacon, we don’t just take a quick look at your roof and move on. We have years of experience in electrical work and construction, and we use that to check all the important details.
Here’s what we look at when we visit your home:
Roof Shape, Pitch, and Material
We measure your roof and check the angle, layout, and materials. Some surfaces, like metal or steep tile roofs, may need extra planning. We also look for vents or chimneys that could block panels.
Sunlight and Shade
We use tools to see how much sunlight hits your roof at different times of day and year. We don’t guess. This helps us figure out how much power your system could make each month even in winter.
Electrical Panel
We check your home’s electrical panel to make sure it can handle solar. If it needs an upgrade, we can do that too, we’re licensed electricians, so it’s part of the job.
Room for a Battery
If you’re thinking about a battery now or later, we look at where it would go, how much backup power you’d want, and how to qualify for rebates like the $5,000 Ontario battery incentive.
System Size and What You Want It To Do
We talk with you about your goals. Some people want to lower their bills. Others want backup power during outages. Some want both. We design the system around what you need.
A Note from Nick:
“We don’t just look at the roof. We look at how you live and what energy independence means to you.”
Planning for a Battery? It Changes the Game
Are you thinking about adding a battery to your setup that works with the sun? This is a good idea.
Batteries are what keep your lights on if the power goes out, even though people often look at the panels first. They let you keep extra power from your system. You can use this power at night or when it costs more to use normal electricity.
But here is the thing. When you add a battery, it can change the whole system in your house. It also changes the way we assess your home.
Why Batteries Matter
Without a battery:
- Your system will not work if there is a power outage. This is to help keep all people safe.
- If you use net metering and there is extra power, it goes out to the grid.
With a battery:
- Your system will keep working even if the power grid goes down.
- You can store the solar power in the day and use it when it is night.
- You will save more money because you do not have to pay the highest electricity rates all the time. This is called “peak shaving.”
Battery = Different System Design
If you want to have backup power, we will need to do these things:
- Make sure the size of your home’s battery is right for what you need.
- See if your electrical panel can work with it.
- Think about how much of your house you want to still have power when the lights go out. Is it just the fridge and Wi-Fi, or do you want everything to keep running?
We will also look at your roof and how big the system is. We want to see if there is enough room to put the panels on. We also want to know if there is space to charge it again and again.
Bonus: You Might Qualify for a $5,000 Battery Rebate
In Ontario, you can get a rebate if you buy certain battery systems. But you must use a load displacement system. That means you do not send power to the grid.
We can help you see if this is the right choice for your home.
True Beacon helps you with planning your battery, so it is simple for you.
We do not just put things on the system. We make the whole thing work for you and fit how you live.
Get Started Now
Book a free solar assessment today.
Give us a call or fill out the form, and we’ll handle the rest.
Serving: Ottawa • Orleans • Kingston • Embrun • Kanata • and more
Call: 613-701-1028
Email: info@truebeacon.ca
FAQs About Solar Potential
What if I have a small roof?
No problem. We can use high-efficiency panels that generate more power per square foot. We’ll also look at garage roofs or even ground mounts if space is tight.
Can I add panels later?
Yes! If your energy needs grow maybe you buy an EV or build an addition, you can expand your system. Just let us know so we design with that in mind.
What if I use more energy in winter?
Production dips in winter, but your solar power generation over the whole year matters most. We design your system to cover your energy consumption annually not just in peak summer months.
Is it better to install a battery now or later?
You can do either. But if you think you’ll want one eventually, tell us up front. We’ll make sure your system is ready to add a battery later without a full rewire.
How do you know how many panels I’ll need?
We look at your bills, roof size, and amount of sunlight your property gets. That helps us decide the right number of panels and system size that fits your goals and budget.
What if part of my roof is shaded?
It’s okay! We can work around shade and even design around it using advanced equipment. During your site visit, we map out your sun’s rays hour by hour to place panels in the best spots.
Does my electrical panel need upgrades?
Sometimes, especially if it’s an older home or you’re adding a charge controller and battery setup. We’ll check it during your assessment. And since we’re electricians, we handle it in-house.
How do you calculate how much solar my home needs?
We start by looking at your electricity bills, your roof space, and your hours of sunlight throughout the year. From there, we figure out the right pv system size to match your home’s needs and make sure you’re producing enough to cover the amount of electricity you typically use.
Can solar really lower my energy costs long-term?
Yes, big time. Once your system is up and running, you’re generating solar power from the sun, not buying it from the grid. That means lower energy costs month after month, especially as rates keep going up. Plus, with Ontario’s incentives and net metering, you can get even more solar energy savings over time.
Do you work with business owners too, or just homeowners?
We do both! At True Beacon, we help business owners and homeowners switch to clean, renewable energy using smart, custom-built solar installations. If you’re running a business in Ottawa or surrounding areas, solar can offset operating costs and show your customers you’re investing in sustainable solar energy resources.