In solar, who installs your system matters more than who sold it to you. Roost Solar designs, installs and services every project with an in-house team, right here in Vernon — not from a head office in Ontario or a network of partner installers.
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The numbers on a quote rarely tell you who actually installs your system,
who's accountable when something needs attention, and who'll still be
here in ten years. Here's the short version.
Polaron, Xolar, Canadian Green Tech &
Roost Solar — Side by SideAll four companies will quote solar in the Okanagan. The differences show up in who designs your system, who
installs it, what certifications they hold, and who picks up the phone when you need them in year three, year ten,
or year twenty. Here's how it stacks up, drawn from each company's own website.
The Reasons This
Comparison Actually Matters
One team. Start to finish. No handoffs.When a national brand sells you solar, the salesperson, the system designer, the install crew, and the long-term service team are often four different groups in four different cities — and sometimes four different provinces. Xolar's website operates a network of Installation Partners and Dealer Partners. Canadian Green Tech relies on a similar partner-installer model. Polaron runs operations across six provinces.
That model works fine — until something needs attention. Then you find out which team owns the problem.
At Roost, the people who design your system are the people who install it. The people who install it are the people who answer the phone when you call three years later. Our team is small enough to know your project by name, and experienced enough to deliver it right the first time.
The solar industry's gold standard,
installed right here in the Okanagan.Roost Solar's owner, Stephen Russell, holds NABCEP's PV Installation Professional Certification — the most rigorous credential in North American solar. He is one of only three solar professionals in British Columbia to hold it.
We are also a Licensed Electrical Contractor with Red Seal certified electricians on staff. That depth of credential is hard to find on a national brand's quote — not because they can't recruit it, but because it doesn't scale easily across thousands of installs in six provinces and dozens of partner crews.
For your system, it means the work is designed and installed to a standard you can verify, by people whose names are on the certificate.
When something needs attention,
"local" should mean local.Most warranty calls are small. A monitoring app drops offline. A breaker needs resetting. A panel needs a quick look after a wind event. The question is who shows up — and how soon.
If your installer's head office is in Scarborough or Campbellford, and the crew that installed your system was a regional partner you don't have a direct line to, that becomes complicated quickly. If your installer is an e-commerce platform, it becomes even harder.
We keep panels, racking, inverters and electrical components stocked at our Vernon warehouse on Okanagan Landing. If you need service, we are not waiting on a shipment from Ontario or a regional manager three time zones away. We are already here, with the parts on the shelf.
What Our Neighbours SayRoost Solar installed our system last June and we couldn’t be happier with their service. Everything was done very professionally, on time, and within the quote provided, even when challenges came up. They were quick to work through them and the end result was perfect. We would highly recommend them.
“The best home service we have ever experienced”Our 8kW solar system has performed flawlessly since installation. The Roost Solar team was friendly, professional, and incredibly accommodating throughout the entire process. They truly delivered the best home service we’ve ever experienced. If we were to move, I would not hesitate to call them again.
From the estimate to completion, the team at Roost Solar was excellent. The install took just over two days with minimal disruption, and the onsite staff were friendly and respectful of our property. Our system is producing great and we’re already seeing savings on our electricity bill.
What Happens When You
Request a Second OpinionNo pressure, no hard sell. Just a clear, honest look at what your system should be —
and what it should cost.
Frequently Asked QuestionsAlmost always — and not because the first quote is wrong. Solar is a 25-year decision, and small differences in equipment, system sizing, installation approach, and long-term service can mean thousands of dollars and years of performance. A second opinion takes 15 minutes and costs nothing. If we aren't the right fit for your project, we'll tell you that too.
Sometimes we are more expensive than out of town companies, but often we aren’t. Our quotes are typically more complete from the start. We visit the site, account for project-specific conditions, and build the scope accordingly. With remote quotes, additional electrical work, mounting requirements, travel, or other site-specific extras can sometimes surface later during installation.
Most solar panels themselves are comparable, but Installations are not. The real difference in a solar installation often comes down to the quality of the installation itself. From mounting hardware and electrical components to layout planning and finishing work, some systems are built with greater attention to durability, serviceability, and long-term reliability. That approach typically costs more and takes longer — but it’s also what helps ensure the system performs well for decades.
It's still worth a conversation. Most solar contracts have a cooling-off period, and even where they don't, you may have options. We can help you understand what you've signed.
We proudly serve the Thompson-Okanagan — Vernon, Coldstream, Armstrong, Lavington, Lake Country, Lumby, Cherryville, Falkland, Enderby, Salmon Arm, Sicamous, Kelowna, Kamloops, and surrounding communities. Outside that area? Give us a call — we are always open to hearing about your project.
Since 2016. We are locally owned, based in Vernon, and we've installed more than 300 systems across the Southern Interior. Our owner holds NABCEP's PV Installation Professional Certification — one of only three in BC — and we are a Licensed Electrical Contractor with Red Seal electricians on staff.
That's the part that matters most. We keep panels, racking, inverters and electrical components stocked at our Vernon warehouse, so if you ever need service or warranty support, we are already set up to respond quickly. Drop by anytime.
Free. No pressure. No obligation. Just a clearer picture of what
your solar system should look like — and who should be installing it.
A member of our Vernon team will be in touch within one business day.
5101 25th Ave, Vernon, BC
