Question 1

How much does solar cost in the Okanagan?

Accepted Answer

Most Okanagan homes install a 6-12 kW system, which typically lands between $18,000 and $36,000 before incentives, or roughly $2.60-$3.00 per watt installed. Commercial and industrial projects come in lower per watt because of scale. Our on-site calculator gives you a modelled figure in seconds, and your written quote confirms exact pricing after a site assessment.

Question 2

What will I actually save each year?

Accepted Answer

A typical Okanagan system produces about 1,150 kWh per installed kW annually. At current BC Hydro rates, a 9 kW system offsets roughly $1,400-$1,600 of electricity a year, and that saving grows every time rates rise. Most residential projects reach payback in 9-14 years and keep producing for 25 years or more.

Question 3

Is financing available?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We offer $0-down financing options so your monthly payment can be offset by your energy savings from day one, and federal interest-free loan programs are often available for qualifying homeowners. We model purchase, financed, and lease scenarios side by side so you can compare.

Question 4

Does solar increase my property value?

Accepted Answer

Owned solar systems are generally treated as a value-adding improvement, similar to a renovated kitchen or a new roof. Buyers in the Okanagan increasingly factor in low or zero power bills, and your system documentation and production history transfer with the home.

Question 5

How long does installation take?

Accepted Answer

The physical install on a typical home takes one to three days. The full project — consultation, design, permitting, BC Hydro interconnection approval, installation, and inspection — usually runs six to twelve weeks depending on municipality and utility processing times.

Question 6

What does the process look like step by step?

Accepted Answer

Consultation and bill review, then a tailored design with production and savings modelling, then permitting and engineering, then installation by our certified crew, then final inspection, utility interconnection, and monitoring setup. We handle every permit and application on your behalf.

Question 7

Will solar work through Okanagan winters?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Panels generate whenever there is daylight and are actually more efficient in cold temperatures. Production dips in December and January and peaks from May through August — net metering credits banked in summer carry through the darker months.

Question 8

Do I need a new roof first?

Accepted Answer

If your roof has under ten years of life left, we usually recommend replacing it before installing, since removing and reinstalling panels later adds cost. We assess roof condition during the site visit and tell you honestly if waiting or re-roofing first is the better move.

Question 9

What maintenance is required?

Accepted Answer

Very little. Rain handles most cleaning, and we recommend an annual visual check plus occasional panel washing in dusty or smoky seasons. Your system is monitored remotely, so we often spot an issue before you do, and warranty work is coordinated by our team.

Question 10

How does BC Hydro net metering work?

Accepted Answer

Your system feeds surplus generation back to the grid and BC Hydro credits your account for it. Those credits offset the power you draw at night or in winter, and they roll forward across billing periods within your anniversary year. We prepare and submit the net metering application for you.

Question 11

What rebates and incentives can I claim?

Accepted Answer

Depending on your property and scope, you may qualify for provincial and utility efficiency rebates (especially when solar is paired with a heat pump or electrical upgrade), federal clean energy programs and low-interest loans, and incentives for battery storage or Level 2 EV chargers. Businesses may also benefit from accelerated capital cost allowance.

Question 12

Do you handle the rebate paperwork?

Accepted Answer

Yes — that is part of the service. We confirm eligibility before you commit, prepare the applications, submit them, and track every claim through to approval so nothing is missed or left on the table.

Question 13

Do I need approval before installing?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Grid-connected systems require a municipal electrical permit and a BC Hydro interconnection agreement before energizing. We manage both, along with the final electrical inspection.

Solar questions, answered plainly.

Costs & savings

Installation & timelines

BC Hydro & rebates

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