How do residential solar panel systems work?

Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity using photovoltaic (PV) cells. When sunlight hits a solar panel, the PV cells in the panel absorb the energy, creating a flow of direct current (DC) electricity.

How long do residential solar panel systems last?

While residential solar panels generally last 25 to 40 years, the actual lifespan of your system will depend on a number of factors, such as its exposure to the elements, temperature, maintenance and more.

How big are the solar panels used for residential homes?

Solar panels can vary in size and weight, depending on the brand and panel availability. Typically, residential solar panels span 66 x 40 inches for the panel, and 1.25 x 1.6 for the frame, weighing roughly 42 pounds. For more accurate information, reach out to a reputable solar provider who would be able to give you a free quote and specifications of what solar panels are being used.

How much does it cost to install solar panels on my home?

The cost of residential solar panel installation varies based on the size of your home and its energy needs. At Zeno, we understand that every home is different, which is why we maximize your space by designing a residential solar panel system around your property’s size and needs.

How much do solar panels used for residential homes weigh?

Residential solar panels typically weigh an average of around 42 pounds, but this will still depend on the brand and size of the panel itself. For more accurate information of the weight of the solar panels, reach out to a reputable solar provider for a FREE quote. They can provide you with the specifications of the panels used for your home.

Boost Your Solar Investment With Carbon Credits

Let’s face it: nobody gets a thrill out of paying their electricity bill. It’s just one of those things we accept, like taxes or traffic. But what if that monthly bill wasn’t just a sunk cost? What if, instead of renting your electricity from the grid forever, you could own the means of producing your power? And even better, what if you could get paid for the energy you don’t use?

Welcome to the sunny side of homeownership: solar energy. If you’re in Alberta or Ontario, you’re sitting on some of the best solar potential in the country, and it might just be time to put your roof to work.

In this post, we’ll show you how going solar in Alberta or Ontario lets you:

Take control of your energy costs,
Earn credits (or even get paid) for the power you don’t use,
Potentially cash in on carbon credits,
Increase your home’s value,
And stop renting your electricity, forever.

First, Let’s Talk About “Renting” Rather Than Owning Your Energy

If you own a home, you probably already understand the difference between paying rent and paying a mortgage. One builds equity. The other doesn’t.

Now apply that logic to your electricity bill.

Every month, you send money to your utility provider. But you’re not building anything. You’re not investing. You’re just renting power. And with rates rising year after year, that rent gets more expensive over time.

Let’s break it down using the mortgage analogy:

Electricity “Rent”: If your monthly power bill is $150, that’s $1,800 per year—or $45,000 over 25 years, assuming prices stay the same (spoiler: they won’t).
Solar “Mortgage”: A solar system might cost $20,000. With a 10-year loan at about $200/month, you’d pay $24,000 total.

So:

With the power company? You pay $45K+ and own nothing.
With solar? You pay half that, and own your electricity.

Once your solar system is paid off, the energy it generates is yours, free and clear, for decades.

That’s the magic of switching from renting power to owning it.

Discover How Much You Could Save With Our Solar Savings Calculator

What Happens When You Make More Solar Power Than You Need?

During sunny days (and Alberta and Ontario get plenty), your solar panels may produce more electricity than your home can use. So, what happens to the extra power?

You get paid for it.

Alberta: Micro-generation

In Alberta, this system is called micro-generation. When your panels generate more electricity than you need, the surplus is sent back to the grid, and your energy retailer credits you in dollars, based on current rates.

You can use those credits to reduce future power bills. It’s like your roof is working a second job, and the utility is footing part of your power tab.

Ontario: Net Metering

In Ontario, this program is called net metering. Same idea, but instead of dollars, you earn kilowatt-hour (kWh) credits. They roll over and offset future electricity use, especially helpful in winter months when your system might generate less.

Either way, you’re not just saving. You’re participating in the energy economy and getting rewarded for it.

Your Roof: Once the Largest Home Maintenance Headache, Now the Silent Side Hustler

Think of your solar panels as quiet overachievers. While you’re working, sleeping, or away on vacation, they’re catching sunlight and converting it into clean, usable electricity.

And when they make more than you need? That energy gets sent to the grid and comes back to you as credits.

It’s not just a utility upgrade. It’s an income stream.

Wait, What Are Carbon Credits?

Here’s where things get even more interesting.

When you generate solar energy, you’re helping reduce emissions by displacing fossil-fuel-generated electricity. That’s a good deed, but it also has market value.

Enter: carbon credits.

Here’s the Idea:

Your solar system reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
That impact is quantifiable.
Those savings can be bundled into carbon credits.
Companies looking to offset their emissions can buy those credits from solar users like you.

It’s still an emerging opportunity for homeowners, but platforms like Solar Offset in Alberta are paving the way. If your system qualifies, you could turn your clean power into a new form of passive income.

What Does Solar Cost, and How Can You Lower It?

Let’s talk brass tacks. A typical home solar setup in Alberta or Ontario runs between $15,000 and $25,000, depending on your roof size, location, and energy needs.

But you’ve got help.

Alberta Programs:

Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP): Finance up to 100% of your system and repay it through your property taxes.
Canada Greener Homes Loan: Up to $40,000, interest-free, for eligible upgrades like solar.
Edmonton Multi-Unit Rebate: Own a building with 4+ units? Get up to $4,000 per dwelling to a max of $100K/year.
Lethbridge SunRidge Rebate: Building in SunRidge? You could get up to $3,500 back.

Ontario Support:

Home Renovation Savings Program: Up to $5,000 for rooftop solar panels, up to $5,000 for battery storage systems, and a combined $10,000 if you install both.
Canada Greener Homes Grant and Loan: Same as above.
Toronto: Home Energy Loan Program: Up to $125,000 in financing for energy-efficient upgrades, including rooftop solar panels.
Guelph: Greener Homes Program: Zero-interest loans up to $50,000 for solar and energy-efficient upgrades.
Durham Region: Deep Retrofit Rebate: Up to $10,000 in incentives for solar systems that help cut emissions.

When you stack the savings, rebates, and long-term returns, solar starts to look like one of the smartest upgrades you can make.

What About Home Value?

Buyers love homes with solar panels. Why?

They signal lower bills.
They show the home is energy-efficient.
They reduce the buyer’s long-term costs.
And increasingly, they’re seen as modern upgrades, just like a renovated kitchen.

Studies show homes with solar sell faster and for up to 7% or $40,000 more, depending on location and system size.

So whether you’re planning to stay for 25 years or just five, solar adds real, transferable value to your home.

Is Solar Right for Your Home?

Here’s a quick checklist:

You own your home.
You have a roof that gets 4+ hours of sun a day.
Your average power bill is over $100/month.
You plan to stay in your home for at least 5–10 years.
You like saving money and doing good for the planet.

If that sounds like you, chances are you’re a great fit for solar.

Common Solar Questions, Answered

Q: What if I sell my house before I finish paying off the system?
A: No problem. Most buyers see solar as a perk, not a problem. You can either transfer the loan or factor it into your home’s sale price.

Q: Do panels work in the winter?
A: Yes! Solar works even in cold temperatures, and snow often slides right off. Winter production is lower, but factored into your annual average.

Q: Will I still get power during a blackout?
A: Not unless you have battery storage. But you’ll still be connected to the grid for backup power, just like before.

Q: Can I finance solar?
A: Absolutely. Between CEIP, Greener Homes, and private lenders, financing solar in Canada has never been easier.

Ready to Make Your Roof Work for You?

If you’ve got sunlight, you’ve already got the fuel. Let’s turn that light into savings, freedom, and long-term energy control.

Whether you’re just curious or ready for a quote, we’re here to help you take the next step.