Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Solar panels use photovoltaic (PV) cells to convert sunlight into DC electricity, which is then converted into usable AC power through an inverter. This clean energy can be used to power your home or business, stored in a battery for later use, or exported to the grid. In most provinces, excess energy earns credits through net metering — but in Alberta’s deregulated market, the Micro-Generation Program actually pays you for the power you produce, giving you direct financial returns on every kilowatt you generate.

Installation timelines can vary depending on your location and local permitting requirements. Factors such as electrical inspections, municipal building permits, and seasonal weather conditions all play a role in the process. In most cases, once permits are approved and weather cooperates, your solar project can be up and running within 12–16 weeks.
For more details specific to your area, reach out to our team — we’ll guide you through every step of the process.

Canada’s solar potential often surprises people! Calgary receives more annual sunshine than Melbourne, Australia — and Toronto gets more than Milan, Italy. Thanks to cooler temperatures, modern solar panels perform efficiently even in our northern climate.

Because every home is unique, we create a custom proposal for every client. There are numerous factors that go into sizing a solar system (roof space, consumption, electrical service size). For an accurate, no-obligation quote, it’s best to speak with one of our experts.

Not for the initial assessment. We can gather most of the information we need – like your electricity usage and your roof’s solar potential – remotely. We will then tailor the next steps of the assessment process to your needs.

Yes, a ground-mounted system is often a great solution if your roof isn’t suitable or if you have available land. Our team designs them with careful attention to ground conditions to ensure a stable and efficient system.

Homeowners across Canada may be eligible for a variety of provincial and municipal rebates and incentives, which can change frequently. Our local experts stay up to date and will guide you through the best options in your region.

• British Columbia: Homeowners can receive up to $5,000 toward solar projects and an additional $5,000 for energy storage through BC Hydro programs.

• New Brunswick: The Total Home Energy Savings Program offers up to $3,000 in rebates for solar installations.

• Alberta: The Solar Club program allows participants to generate clean energy and play a role in the provincial energy market.

• Nova Scotia: Solar Nova Scotia is a powerful organization driving solar adoption and advocacy throughout the province.

No matter where you live, our team can help you maximize incentives and make the most of your solar investment.

It depends on your location, energy consumption, utility rates, and many other factors. In BC, paybacks tend to be 10-15 years due to lower electricity costs. In Alberta, abundant sunshine often leads to much faster returns. In New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, payback timelines generally fall in a moderate range influenced by system size and household usage.

Net Metering allows you to earn credits for excess solar energy sent to the grid. Your smart meter tracks both the power you use and export, and your utility only bills you for the difference.

Net Billing is a utility billing structure for solar energy producers where:

• You use your own solar energy in real time.

• Any excess energy exported to the grid is credited at a defined export rate, typically lower than retail.

• When your consumption exceeds your solar production, you buy electricity at the regular retail rate.

This approach helps utilities balance energy supply while still rewarding customers for generating renewable power.

Yes. Shift has partnered with trusted lenders to offer flexible financing with no money down and approval in minutes. Visit our financing page or connect with a local Shift representative to explore your options today.

Homes with solar consistently sell faster and for a higher price. Studies show property values can increase by up to $3.00 per watt of solar installed, making solar both an environmental and financial investment in your home.

Exclusive to Alberta’s deregulated energy market, the Solar Club lets you benefit from low electricity rates in winter when solar output is lower — and high export rates in summer when your system produces surplus energy. You can bank your summer credits and use them in winter, maximizing the value of every kilowatt you generate.

Modern solar panels are highly efficient and produce power in any daylight conditions, even when it’s cloudy. Our system monitoring shows that panels typically produce 10-20% of their peak output on overcast days. Your system is designed with your local climate in mind.

Yes, every system includes lifetime monitoring at no extra cost. You can track your energy production in real-time from a smartphone, tablet, or computer via the Shift app.

We source all of our equipment from Tier 1 internationally recognized manufacturers that deploy the latest in solar technology. Refer to your complimentary quote for details on your system.

No, quite the opposite. Solar panels actually protect your roof from UV rays, which are the biggest contributor to roof degradation, helping to increase its lifetime.

The attachment method depends on your roof type, but our guiding principle is always the same: to preserve the integrity and warranty of your roof. Our certified crews use only industry-leading mounting systems specifically designed for each surface.

For asphalt shingles, we use a waterproof mounting system with a specialized sealant. This creates a durable, watertight seal around any penetration, protecting your roof from the elements. 

For standing metal seam roofs, we typically use a non-penetrating clamp system that attaches directly to the seams of the panels. This creates an incredibly strong anchor without drilling any holes into your roof.

For corrugated metal roofs, we typically use a waterproof mount with a specialized sealant. These mounts can be attached into a variety of substrates to ensure a strong, durable waterproof connection.

For non-metal tile roofs , we typically use a hook mount with a specialized sealant. These mounts “hook” underneath roofing tiles and are fastened to the rafters to form a strong, durable waterproof connection

For flat roofs, we often use a ballasted racking system. This method uses weights to secure the array without making numerous penetrations, preserving your roof’s membrane.

Our systems use micro-inverters, meaning each panel operates independently. If one panel is partially covered, the rest of the system continues to produce power efficiently. Typically, rain and wind will clean the panels naturally.

No. For safety reasons, standard grid-tied solar systems automatically shut down during a power outage per the electrical code. To keep your home powered during an outage, you need to pair your solar panels with an battery backup system.

Yes. We provide and install proven energy storage solutions for homeowners, businesses, and government projects.

No, you don’t need batteries for a standard grid-tied system, as you can use the grid to store your excess energy through net. However, if you want backup power during outages, then a battery is required.

Yes. Shift is a certified installer of Tesla Powerwall, Anker, Sol-Ark, EG4 and others with extensive experience in designing and installing home battery backup systems.

Yes, and it’s crucial that it’s done correctly. A backup generator must be properly paired with your solar PV system for safety and to protect your generator. Our experts are experienced in designing systems that seamlessly integrate both.

We provide comprehensive coverage and stand behind every system we install. Our solar panels come with a 25-year performance warranty, micro-inverters carry a 25-year warranty, and Shift backs it all with our own 25-year workmanship warranty. Plus, we guarantee your system’s energy production — giving you total confidence that your investment will perform as promised.

Our process is streamlined and efficient. From your initial consultation to final activation, the entire process typically takes 12 to 16 weeks. The physical installation on your home is usually completed by our expert crews in just a few days.

We use our own certified, in-house local teams for all our installations. This ensures a higher standard of quality, communication, and accountability for your project.

Solar panel systems have no moving parts and are virtually maintenance-free. In most Canadian climates, regular rainfall is enough to keep your panels clean. In certain circumstances, like if your home is surrounded by many trees, they may require occasional cleaning to ensure peak performance. If anything does happen, your system is protected by extensive warranties.

Tesla’s Solar Roof tiles are not yet available in Canada, and no timeline has been announced for their release. 

However, if you’re interested in a seamless, modern solar roof, we have an excellent solution available today. A building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) system that combines a durable metal roof with powerful solar technology.

Solar is one of the most direct and measurable steps a business can take toward meeting ESG commitments. It reduces your carbon footprint, supports compliance with sustainability frameworks, and demonstrates environmental leadership to customers, partners, and investors.

Absolutely. As a national installer with in-house teams across Canada, we manage multi-site commercial portfolios with consistent engineering, standardized project delivery, and dedicated local support in every region.

Businesses can benefit from federal incentives like the Clean Technology Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and accelerated Capital Cost Allowance (CCA), which together can offset up to 50% of project costs. Additional provincial programs vary by region, and our team will guide you through all current opportunities applicable to your business.

Commercial payback varies based on energy usage, system size, utility rates, incentives, and geography. In many parts of Canada, businesses see strong financial performance, with payback timelines ranging from moderate to very fast—especially in regions with high electricity costs or abundant sunlight. We model every project to provide an accurate, location-specific forecast.

Net metering is a utility billing structure that allows your business to export surplus solar energy to the grid. You receive a monetary credit or kWh offset on your bill, reducing overall operating costs. You’re billed only for the net difference between what you consume and what you generate.

Yes. We partner with reputable Canadian financial institutions to offer flexible commercial financing options, including no-money-down structures and long-term payment plans designed to keep cash flow positive from day one. Our team can help you choose the best option for your business.

Solar installations are widely recognized as valuable infrastructure upgrades. They reduce operating costs, improve ESG performance, and make properties more attractive to tenants and buyers. Many commercial buildings see increased marketability and higher long-term asset value after going solar.

This is a normal and intentional part of a smart system design. We slightly oversize the solar panel array relative to the inverter. This allows the inverter to generate more power during non-ideal conditions, like in the mornings, evenings, and on overcast days, which more than makes up for the small amount of “clipping” on a perfect summer day.

This is completely normal and expected. When snow covers your panels, they can’t produce enough power, which may trigger a low power or communication alarm on your inverter. The alarms will clear once the snow melts, and the cold weather will not damage the equipment.