Roof or ground
Rooftop solar needs a roof that can carry the added weight, resist wind uplift and handle Alberta snow, and that has enough remaining life to avoid pulling the array early for reroofing. Ground-mounted systems need foundations, access and security. Either way, a structural review comes first.
Our in-house engineering team, led by Dr. Magdy Istafanous, helps review structure and coordination. We work with solar equipment suppliers and designers, and we handle the building and electrical elements around their systems.
The electrical connection
Connecting to the building is the heart of the project. Our electrical crew, led by a Master Electrician, installs conduit, disconnects, combiner and distribution equipment, metering connections, grounding and the tie-in to the existing electrical service. In Alberta, interconnection with the utility needs applications and approvals, and these timelines often outlast construction, so start them early.
Roof penetrations are a leak risk. We detail flashing and sealing carefully, and coordinate with the roofing contractor to preserve any roof warranty you have.
- Roof structure review and reinforcement
- Racking, penetrations and flashing
- Conduit, disconnects and grounding
- Monitoring and network connections
- Fencing and security for ground systems
What to plan for
Production in Alberta follows the seasons, with long summer days and short winter ones, and snow can cover panels. Orientation, tilt and shading all influence output. Ask your solar designer for realistic estimates and avoid relying on rules of thumb.
Plan for permits, including electrical permits and any municipal approvals. Pair solar with an LED lighting retrofit or battery storage to improve overall savings. We can handle those related building and electrical upgrades as a single project.
Getting the most from the system
A solar system should be monitored. Network-connected monitoring shows output and alerts you to faults. Keep snow, dirt and shading in mind, and ask your installer about cleaning and inspection schedules.
We can set up the networking and cabling to bring monitoring data to a screen or system you can use, and we can maintain the building elements around the array.