A Grid Tie (or Grid Connected) solar installation is what we recommend for our customers who are already receiving electricity supply from BC Hydro or FortisBC. When your solar installation is not producing enough to meet your needs, you use electricity from the grid. When you are producing too much, the excess gets exported back to the grid and you build up a credit to be drawn down when needed.
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We’ve simplified the way Grid Tie solar installations operate below:
1 – The solar panels capture the sun’s energy.  The panels we use are strong and can withstand high wind and snow loads.

2 – The inverter takes direct current (DC) produced by the panels and converts it to an alternating current (AC).  AC/DC fans rejoice!
The inverters we use provide sophisticated monitoring of your solar array on your computer and smartphone.
3 – Your home is now powered by the most liberating and abundant energy source of all – the sun!

4 – In most jurisdictions, any excess energy produced can be sent through your electricity meter back to the Utility’s grid and be paid back to you*.

Grid Tie solar installations are seamless, reliable, and designed to maximize savings.

* Both BC Hydro and Fortis BC offer credit for excess energy produced by your solar array.  Click for more details.

To get your electricity consumption from BC Hydro, you will want to have an online account with them.  Details on how to set one up are on their website here.

Once you have an account or logged in, the easiest way to get the data is to use BC Hydro’s data download centre by following the steps in the image below.

‍https://www.bchydro.com/datadownload/web/download-centre.html

Your roof is a vital part of your home and we take utmost care to protect it.

On shingled roofs, we use a 100% watertight, black aluminum flashing system on every footing. By combining both mechanical and liquid sealant, we provide superior protection at all penetration points.

On standing seam metal roofs we use top-tier clamps that are specifically engineered to attach securely to the seams of the roof without penetrating the roof.

Most of our flat roof installations use a ballasted racking system sits above the roof surface, using weight rather than penetrative fasteners to secure the solar array.

Each house and each roof is unique - in cases where a different installation approach is required, we work closely with you and/or your roofing contractor to ensure the continued integrity of your roof.

Whether a rooftop installation or groundmount installation is better fit for you depends on a few things. Where a roof is naturally oriented to get good solar exposure and has minimal shading, a rooftop installation is typically a more economical option.
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If your property isn’t ideal for rooftop solar (eg too much shade, or not enough roof space available), a ground mount installation is a great alternative. 

Roost Solar is here to help you make your choice for the best method and location for your solar installation!

Roost Solar will perform this process for you, so no need to worry there!  These are the steps we follow to connect your solar installation with the grid under BC Hydro’s self generation program.

Step 1: We prepare a self-generation application with BC Hydro through their online portal. You will get an email prompt from BC Hydro to review and authorize it.
Step 2: BC Hydro will assess the application and approve it.
Step 3: We will install your system according to Technical Safety BC and BC Hydro requirements.
Step 4: We will upload your final Documentation to the BC Hydro self-generation portal, which initiates final interconnection approval.
Step 5: BC Hydro will authorize interconnection approval for your solar array, typically within a few weeks.

We proudly serve the Thompson-Okanagan, so if you live in Vernon, Coldstream, Armstrong, Lavington, Lake Country, Lumby, Cherryville, Falkland, Enderby, Salmon Arm, Sicamous, Kelowna, Kamloops or any other town nearby, give us a call and we'd be happy to help you with your solar project.

Do you live outside of one of these areas? Give us a call anyways! We're always open to hearing about your planned project and we're happy to make a trip if we are the right fit for you.

Once your system is installed, very little maintenance is required. There are no moving parts that will get worn out, and use use brands with proven reliability, long-term performance and strong Canadian market presence.

People are often curious about snow removal and panel cleaning specifically. Like many experts in the field, we recommend that you do not remove snow from your solar panels. Losing out on a short window of production isn't worth damaging your panels or risking your safety. Similarly, in most cases we do not recommend cleaning your panels. We tend to get enough rain and snow to clear any dust build-up off of your panels.

We're locally owned and rooted in the community. Even after your system is up and running, we're here to provide ongoing support. We have an office and warehouse on Okanagan Landing where customers can stop by and talk with our team in person. We keep solar panels, racking, inverters and electrical components stocked on site, which allows us to respond quickly if service or warranty needs arise.

The cost of a solar installation is affected by many variables, including:

Electrical wiring: How much work is required to get the wiring from the solar array to your electrical panel.
The racking system used: Racking systems for asphalt shingles and metal roofs more simple than tile roofs, flat roofs and groundmount systems.
The pitch of your roof: Steeper pitched roofs can come with higher installation costs.  
Permits: Whether additional permits or assessments are required for your project.
Size: The cost per installed solar panel tends to decrease as the number of panels increases.

The best way to understand the cost and benefits for you is to request a free estimate!