How to choose a solar installer

The installer matters as much as the panels. Good equipment installed poorly can leak, underperform or fail inspection, and a strong warranty is only as good as the company standing behind it. A few checks before you sign will rule out most problems.

Check the electrical licence

Solar is electrical work, and every province requires it to be done by licensed people with a permit and inspection.

In Ontario, home electrical work must be done by a Licensed Electrical Contractor (LEC). Each LEC has a 7-digit ECRA/ESA licence number, which should appear on its vehicles, business cards and quotes. You can look it up with the Electrical Safety Authority's Find a Contractor tool.

Master Electricians and Certified Electricians can't be hired directly for home electrical work in Ontario. They work for an LEC business. If a solar company subcontracts the electrical work, ask for the LEC's name and licence number, and confirm that the LEC will file the ESA notification.

When the job passes inspection, the contractor receives an ESA Certificate of Acceptance. Ask for a copy. Your insurer may want it, and it helps when you sell the home.

Outside Ontario, ask for the provincial electrical contractor licence or permit number and check it with your provincial safety authority.

Check that equipment is certified

Electrical products used in Canada must carry a recognized certification mark from an accredited agency, such as CSA, UL or Intertek. Look for the mark on the spec sheets for the panels, inverters and any battery. Imported equipment without a Canadian mark can fail inspection.

Check insurance

Ask for proof of commercial general liability insurance, and coverage for workers on your roof (WSIB in Ontario, or the workers' compensation board in your province). If someone is hurt on your property and the company is not covered, you could be exposed.

Compare workmanship warranties

The panel maker covers the panels. The installer covers the installation: wiring, racking and, most importantly, roof penetrations. Ask how long the workmanship warranty lasts, whether it covers roof leaks, and whether the company or a third party backs it if the business closes. See solar warranties explained.

Look at track record

• Years in business. Warranties last 10 to 25 years. A company with a longer history is more likely to be there for a claim.
• References. Ask for two or three customers with systems at least a few years old, ideally nearby. Ask them about communication, cleanup and how service problems were handled.
• Reviews. Read the negative reviews and how the company responded, not just the star rating.
• Who does the work. Ask whether installers are employees or subcontractors.

Optional signals

These are useful but not required.

• NABCEP certification. The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners offers a PV Installation Professional certification that some Canadian installers hold. It shows training and experience, but it does not replace a provincial licence.
• CanREA membership. The Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA) merged with the wind energy association in 2020 to form the Canadian Renewable Energy Association. Membership shows industry involvement, not a quality guarantee.
• Program participation. Some rebate programs require a registered or participating contractor. Ask whether the installer meets the requirements for any rebate you plan to claim.

Questions to ask at the site visit

1. Who will design the system, and did you check shading with a tool or a site survey?
2. What is your ECRA/ESA licence number (or provincial equivalent)?
3. Who handles the building permit, electrical permit and utility connection?
4. How will you attach to my roof, and how do you seal the penetrations?
5. Is my roof in good enough shape for 25 years of panels?
6. What happens if the inverter fails in year 8? Who do I call, and who pays for labour?
7. How will I monitor production, and will you show me how?
8. What is the payment schedule, and when is the final payment due?

A good installer answers these clearly and in writing. Vague answers on permits, licensing or roof work are a reason to keep looking.

Red flags

• No licence number, or reluctance to share it
• Pressure to sign the same day
• Quotes built on rebates that are closed
• Cash-only payment or a claim that no permit is needed
• A large deposit before any work is scheduled

More on these in solar scams and red flags.

How SolarMyBill fits in

We don't install solar. If you ask for quotes, we introduce you to one local installer we have vetted, and they pay us a referral fee. You should still run every check on this page, on them and on anyone else you talk to.

Next step

Get your numbers first so you can judge any quote: check your roof, then compare quotes with our quote checker.

Common questions

What licence does a solar installer need in Ontario?

The electrical work must be done by a Licensed Electrical Contractor with a 7-digit ECRA/ESA licence number. You can check the number with the Electrical Safety Authority's Find a Contractor tool.

Does a solar installer need NABCEP certification in Canada?

No. NABCEP is a voluntary North American certification. It is a good sign of training, but the provincial electrical licence is what the law requires.

What should a solar workmanship warranty cover?

It should cover the installation itself, including wiring, racking and leaks at roof penetrations. Ask how many years it lasts and what happens if the company closes.

What paperwork should I get after installation?

Ask for the electrical inspection certificate, such as the ESA Certificate of Acceptance in Ontario, the building permit sign-off if one was needed, warranty documents and the utility connection approval.

Sources

• Electrical Safety Authority: Hire a Licensed Electrical Contractor
• Electrical Safety Authority: Recognized approval marks
• NABCEP: North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners
• Electrical Business: CanWEA and CanSIA to amalgamate