Hey everyone! I'm a Canadian located in Ontario and I'm looking to dive into solar energy. Our winters can be super cold, dropping as low as -35°C, while summers can reach up to +35°C. I have a south-facing home and want to start adding solar panels, ideally on a carport that gets plenty of sun. My aim is to build a system gradually, and I need it to connect to the grid. I'd prefer to do most of the installation myself, but I know the final connection to the network must be handled by a certified electrician. Ultimately, I'm hoping to create a system that can generate around 15-20 kWh each day over time.
2 Answers
Hey! Just a heads up, snow can be a huge issue for rooftop solar panels in Ontario during winter. I’ve got a ground-mounted system with eight panels, but I'm constantly clearing snow off them after every snowfall. It can get pretty frustrating! If you're considering a roof install, just make sure you have a plan for managing the snow, or it might not work well in the winter months.
The daily energy target of 15-20 kWh sounds reasonable for a small system, which would be around 3 kW in size. Using about 7 panels at 440W each should get you there. Just keep in mind your roof condition since you're planning to replace it in the next 5-10 years.