Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to our FAQs! Here, you'll find answers to common questions about solar and our services. Please feel free to contact us if the answer to your question isn't here.
Simple solar is based in Calgary and operates in Southern Alberta, from the US border to Red Deer and from Banff to Medicine Hat.
We supply solar equipment throughout Canada. Contact us with your solar equipment requirements and we'll be happy to answer any questions and prepare a proposal.
Southern Alberta is a great location for solar energy. Our solar irradiance is the highest in Canada and 30 % more than Germany, where the residential solar industry started, so you'll need less panels to generate equal or greater amounts of electricity.
Solar photovoltaic (PV) generates electricity, which can be used for lighting, appliances, convenience, communications, entertainment, air conditioning, etc.
Solar thermal collects heat, usually for domestic water heating, but can also be used for space heating, recreation, such as pool or hot tub heating, or process heat.
Simple Solar has expertise in both types of systems. More information on solar thermal can be found here!
Solar panels work on a wide range of roof angles, aspects, and materials. A 15-to-45-degree roof pitch will get the best year-round results. For lower roof pitches, we recommend tilting them up on frames to increase generation.
Aspects from East through to West work well. East-facing panels produce more power in the morning, south facing panels will give the largest overall generation with a significant peak at midday, and west-facing panels will produce more power in the afternoon. Your panels should be positioned in an area with little to no shade.
All roofing materials are suitable for solar panels. From asphalt shingles to cedar shakes to concrete tiles, we've yet to find a roof not suitable for solar panels.
Solar PV systems can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000 or more. Each system is custom designed for your needs depending on your electricity consumption, the design of your home or building, and your energy production goals. Request a quote to get your own personalized solar proposal, showing you the cost of the system, financial and environmental benefits, and more.
The first step is to complete a request for quote and include your current electricity bill to ensure you're getting a system that's properly sized for your needs. We'll then design and send you a proposal for your system. If you're interested in proceeding with the proposal, we'll do a site inspection to confirm the installation details, after which you can choose to proceed with your order or not. If you choose to proceed, we'll collect a deposit and then start preparing the materials, permit(s), and micro-generator application. Once everything's prepared, we'll install and commission your system, and then wrap-up the whole process by registering your property as a micro-generation site and sending you the owner's manual. The whole process usually takes between 12 and 24 weeks.
Most people want to generate as much electricity as they use, which is the limit permitted by the Alberta Microgeneration Regulation. The optimal size solar system for your situation depends on your site location, building design, and annual electricity use. Your solar proposal will show the size of system we recommend, along with the cost, electricity savings, and environmental benefits.
If your roof is damaged from extreme weather or has deteriorated over time such that it needs replacing, then a standard rail-mounted solar PV system will have to be removed for the re-roofing and reinstalled afterwards. The cost to remove and reinstall is $100 to $300 per panel depending on site conditions. Consider using CHE BIPV frames, instead of rail mounted racking, if you want to avoid the cost of having to remove and reinstall panels.
CHE BIPV frames are an alternative to rail mounted racking for solar PV systems. These large frames are fastened directly to the roof and the solar PV panels are fitted inside the frames. This mounting system eliminates the rail system, keeping the panels flush to the roof for a cleaner look, and eliminating the space under rail-mounted panels that is attractive to squirrels and pigeons. CHE BIPV frames also don't need to be removed if the roofing needs to be replaced, so the solar PV panels are left in place. More information on CHE BIPV frames can be found here.