Plan Solar Roofing From the Start
On a new build, the roof and the solar can be designed as one thing. That's the advantage. You choose the roof shape, the panel layout and the cable routes together, before anything is framed. It only works if the decision is made early, while the roof is still a drawing.
Decisions that are cheap now and costly later
Roof shape comes first. Large, plain roof planes that face the sun leave the most room for generating panels. Next is everything that pokes through the roof. Plumbing stacks, flues and skylights can usually be grouped so they don't break up the best plane. Last is the electrical room and the route to it. Your designer can settle all three in an afternoon at concept stage.
The people to bring in
The designer, the builder, the roofer and the electrician. In most of Canada the electrical work is inspected separately from the building work, so it helps if the electrician sees the roof layout early and isn't handed it at the end.
Getting your project to us
Send it while the roof is still being designed. We'll review it, tell you whether it looks like a fit, and work with your designer and builder from there. The earlier we see it, the more we can do.
Best for
- Custom homes where the roof matters to the design
- Builders with projects still in design
- Simple roof forms with good sun
May not be best for
- Projects where the roofing is already ordered
- Designs with many small roof sections
- Builds with no time for early coordination
Questions we get asked
When should I raise this with my designer?
At concept stage, before the roof form is fixed.
Who installs it?
Roofing and electrical trades who know the system. Installation arrangements for your area are confirmed during the project review.
Is it too early to send a project that's more than a year out?
No. Early is helpful.