01
A long-term investment
Solar is a multi-decade decision about your home. A proposal helps you assess whether the numbers work for your roof and electricity use.
Back to Solar
Residential solar · Planning guide
See if solar makes sense for your home.
Compare your solar options with the installation details in view: equipment, installed cost per watt, electrical work, permits, and timing. K-Jay brings residential electrical experience to the project. This guide explains how your roof and usage shape the proposal.
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Request a call from our solar team. Tell us how to reach you. Your utility bill and technical details can wait.
Talk through installation pricing, what the quote includes, and our next available solar installation window.
Ready for a firm estimate? Complete the solar intake1 billAll we need to start
0Roof photos required
25 yrPanels + micro-inverters*
Section 01
Why homeowners look at solar
Why homeowners look at solar
Consider what you want from solar before comparing proposals. Your reasons will help you judge the design and cost.
02
More control
Generating some of your own power gives you a measure of control over your electricity bill. It does not fix every component of the bill or future rates.
03
Using the roof you have
Solar can put a clear, well-oriented roof to use for power generation.
04
Timing it with other work
Homeowners often consider solar alongside a re-roof, an addition or a new EV. Plan the timing with that work in mind.
Section 02
Does your home fit?
Does your home fit?
Roof suitability depends on orientation, condition, shading and usable area.
01
Roof orientation
South-facing roofs produce the most energy. East and west-facing roofs still work; expect roughly 10 to 15% less yield per panel, depending on pitch and shading.
02
Roof condition
An array is a multi-decade addition to your roof. If your shingles have less than 10 years left, plan a re-roof first. We can coordinate.
03
Shading
Trees, chimneys, and neighbouring rooflines all cut production. Micro-inverters handle partial shade better than a string design does.
04
Usable area
System size is limited by your clear roof area, annual consumption and the limit your utility allows.
Conditions: the orientation and fit guidance above are planning rules of thumb. Your production figures are estimates from a model based on your usage, address and aerial imagery. They are not guaranteed output. Current Alberta and utility rules set system size limits, which are confirmed during design.
Can my roof support solar panels?
Roof space and a production estimate do not establish structural capacity. For an existing house in Edmonton, the City's solar application requirements call for an Alberta-licensed structural engineer to review the specific roof for the added loads. For new construction, the approved roof-truss layout must show that solar loading was considered. Confirm the requirements with your own municipality if the property is outside Edmonton.
Ask who arranges the structural review, which documents are needed, and whether engineering or roof work is included in the written proposal. Share roof drawings or details of earlier changes if you already have them. You do not need to climb onto the roof to start K-Jay's solar intake.
Section 03
How your system gets designed
How your system gets designed
You do not need roof photos, measurements, or an energy rating. A recent bill and your address are enough for us to model a first design.
| Step | Action | Who does it |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Send a recent power bill + your address | You |
| 2 | Aerial roof model and firm estimate in 3 to 5 business days after complete intake | K-Jay design/sales |
| 3 | Design review, optional layout revisions, and site visit at contract signing | You + K-Jay Electric |
| 4 | Electrical permit + micro-generation application filed | K-Jay Electric |
| 5 | Install: racking, panels, inverter, tie-in | K-Jay Electric |
| 6 | Inspection, utility approval, activation | Your municipality + utility + K-Jay |
Conditions: timing varies with equipment, roof complexity, season, inspection and utility approval. Your proposal gives the current installation and activation expectations; this guide does not set dates. Permit and interconnection steps depend on your municipality and local distribution utility, and differ between Edmonton and the surrounding communities. K-Jay confirms which apply to your address during design.
Section 04
Specifications and estimates
Specifications and estimates
A proposal includes equipment specifications and modelled production estimates. Check which figures are ratings and which are forecasts when comparing quotes.
| Component | What we specify | Manufacturer warranty |
|---|---|---|
| Solar panels | Thornova Tangra M HD Black, 485 to 505 W N-type mono-crystalline (21.8 to 22.7% efficiency) | Up to 25 yr product · 30 yr linear power guarantee, max 0.40%/yr degradation |
| Micro-inverters | APsystems DS3-L | 25 yr (purchased extension included in the residential offer; manufacturer conditions apply) |
| Racking + roof attachments | Kinetic K-Rack with RoofTech RT-MINI II | Per manufacturer; attachment engineering is Alberta P.Eng stamped |
Conditions: this is the equipment we currently specify for a standard residential roof. Your proposal governs the make and model supplied. Manufacturers set the warranty terms; K-Jay includes the extended 25-year micro-inverter option in its residential offer. APsystems requires EMA portal monitoring for that coverage to stay in force, and we include monitoring in every design. Panel efficiency is a rating under standard test conditions. Actual output depends on the roof, shading, snow and temperature.
Section 05
Comparing two solar proposals
Comparing two solar proposals
Start with the included work and the assumptions behind each forecast. Set the written proposals beside each other and mark anything unclear.
01
Equipment
Are the proposed components identified, with written specifications? Different equipment or a higher production estimate does not establish which proposal fits your property.
02
Included work
What is included or excluded? Who handles the electrical work, permits and utility application? Record anything still awaiting confirmation.
03
Cost per watt
Do both figures use the same installed scope and capacity basis? If the inputs differ, the figures are not directly comparable.
04
Production estimate
What roof, shading and property assumptions were used? What remains to be confirmed? Forecast output is an estimate, not guaranteed production.
05
Warranty
Are product, panel performance and workmanship coverage described separately, with their conditions in writing?
06
Timing
Which equipment, roof, inspection or utility-approval dependencies affect the sequence? Ask what needs confirmation before relying on a proposed date.
Keep a list of the scope items and assumptions you want each installer to clarify. This checklist concerns residential rooftop proposals. Commercial projects use direct correspondence with K-Jay’s design and sales team; timing and warranty terms are set for the commercial contract.
Solar generation and outage backup
Solar generation and outage backup are separate design questions. BC Hydro explains that most self-generation systems shut off when grid power fails; backup capability depends on the system design, wiring and professional setup.
When comparing proposals, ask whether backup is included, which circuits it can supply and what equipment is required. A battery or an annual production estimate does not establish that the whole home will stay powered. Mention any backup-power goal before selecting equipment.
Section 06
Building a new home?
Building a new home?
Choose solar during construction through your builder. Installing or preparing for it during the build can keep the exterior cleaner than a later retrofit.
01
Choose it during the build
Solar selected during construction goes on with the rest of the work, and the cost may be included in your mortgage. Ask your lender how that applies to you.
02
Rough it in for later
A solar rough-in during construction keeps the exterior cleaner for a later install, without committing to the full system now.
03
Ask your builder
You do not need roof details or an energy rating. Ask your builder's sales team for the solar option. K-Jay gathers the technical inputs from there.
04
Choose the plan that fits
Your builder's sales team walks you through sizing options for your home, rather than a single fixed package.
Conditions: new-home solar options, system sizing, and pricing are set through the builder path and confirmed by your builder's sales team, not on this page. Whether solar can be included in a mortgage depends on your lender and your financing, not on K-Jay.
Planning solar for an EV or heat pump
Tell K-Jay about a planned EV, heat pump or other electrical addition when you request a solar assessment. Share the bills you have and their date range; describe whether the equipment is being considered, purchased or installed. Keep recorded use, future estimates and unknown details separate.
The Alberta Utilities Commission describes micro-generation as meeting all or part of existing annual electricity needs. A distributor needs evidence that a future increase in load will proceed and reviews it case by case. An EV purchase or registration and equipment documents are examples, not a guarantee of an accepted system size.
Before expanding an approved or installed system, ask about design and application review. The AUC says a planned increase in generation requires a new micro-generation application. Roof conditions and electrical compatibility still need assessment.
Compare the forecast assumptions and written scope before deciding. Begin with the records and future plans you have; you do not need to climb onto the roof to start intake.
Source guidance: AUC micro-generation guidance.
Solar outage-backup guidance approved and added 15 October 2026. Roof structural-review guidance approved and added 13 October 2026. Solar proposal comparison added 12 October 2026 with K-Jay owner approval. Earlier business copy update: 8 September 2026 using K-Jay owner confirmations. Datasheets rechecked for the September update; broader technical review record: 24 August 2026. Equipment and warranty figures come from the manufacturers' current datasheets: Thornova TS-BBT54(485-505)-G11 rev. v20250721 and APsystems DS3 rev. 2.2 (2025-01-20). Production figures and any value marked * are estimates or typical values, not a quote, a specification, or a guarantee of output. Utility rules, regulations, product specifications and manufacturer warranties change. Your proposal states the equipment, warranty terms and timelines that apply to you. Next scheduled review: 24 February 2027.
Request a solar proposal
Plan your solar installation.
Send us your latest power bill and your address. We'll model your roof and expected production, then walk you through the design and the investment before you decide.
Plan your project · Edmonton
How to prepare for a home solar assessment in Edmonton
Updated
Start your solar assessment
Prepare for a home solar assessment by gathering the information you have and noting what is unknown. Leave assumptions about your roof and electrical system for the assessment.
Consumption and property information
Collect your property address and available electricity bills or statements to start roof modelling. Twelve months of usage history, where available, helps assess annual consumption. If you have less history, tell us which months are available rather than guessing the rest.
Note changes you are considering, such as an addition or other plans that could affect future electricity use. The assessment can account for known changes and identify what still needs confirmation. You do not need a site visit or roof climb to begin the intake.
Roof and electrical assessment
Roof modelling provides an initial layout that still needs confirmation. Ask how the assessor has considered roof shape, potential shade and other site conditions, and which details need checking. Read about K-Jay home solar installation, then ask how the modelling applies to your property.
Panel information helps define the electrical assessment for residential solar. If you are asked for a photo, take it only from a safe position and open only the hinged door if that is safe to do. Do not remove a cover or touch equipment. If you cannot take a photo safely, say so and ask how to proceed. You do not need to inspect or test anything yourself.
Mention planned electrical or property changes, and ask how electrical compatibility will be assessed. Proposed layouts and production figures are estimates that depend on actual conditions. Ask which details are visible and which still need confirmation before the design is final.
Written scope and approvals
Before agreeing to proceed, ask for a written description of the work and exclusions. Check that it reflects your understanding of the installation and explains the design assumptions, production estimate and details still subject to confirmation.
Permits and utility coordination are part of the process, but approval requirements and timing depend on the project and reviewing authorities. EPCOR describes application materials that can include diagrams and site information, equipment specifications, permit information and third-party consent where applicable. Review the EPCOR micro-generation application information and ask who will prepare or coordinate the items that apply to your project; do not assume every application has identical requirements.
The scope should identify expected approval steps without promising dates. Ask how installation, permits and the utility application fit together, who handles each step, and what information or decisions are needed from you. An estimate or submitted application does not establish approval.
Questions before proceeding
Ask how the assessment addresses your property and which assumptions it relies on. You do not need the technical answers in advance; ask for the reasoning in plain language and note any points that remain open.
Questions to bring to the assessment:
- What roof, shade and site details are assumptions rather than confirmed observations?
- What information supports the production estimate, and what could change it?
- How will electrical compatibility and any planned changes be reviewed?
- Which permits, application documents and third-party approvals may apply?
Before submitting, check that the address is correct and the usage history is represented accurately. If you have incomplete records or cannot safely supply a photo, explain that. Ask what further information is needed, and leave technical questions open for confirmation.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need 12 months of electricity bills?
No. Twelve months of usage history can help assess annual consumption when available. If you have less, disclose the period you do have rather than estimating the missing months.
Do I need to climb onto my roof before requesting an assessment?
No. You can begin intake without a roof climb or a site visit. Share the address and available information, and ask how any remaining roof details will be assessed.
Does submitting an application mean the project is approved?
No. An application and utility approval form part of the process, and requirements depend on the project. Ask which documents and approvals apply to your home.