Going solar in a condo or apartment building
Solar in a condo or multi-unit building usually means a rooftop system owned by the condo corporation or a landlord, because the roof is common property. Individual owners rarely install their own panels, so the real work is getting board approval, a fair way to share the savings and a suitable electrical setup.
Why is solar harder for condos and apartments?
Three things get in the way. The roof and the exterior walls are common property, so one owner cannot decide alone. Electricity is often metered either once for the whole building or separately for each suite, which complicates sharing the output. And the cost and the benefits must be divided among many owners, who may not agree on priorities.
For a single house, the questions are simpler. If you are starting from the basics, read are solar panels worth it in Canada first, then come back to the shared-building issues below.
What are the main options for a multi-unit building?
Most projects follow one of these patterns:
- A rooftop system for common areas. The corporation owns panels that offset the power used by hallways, lighting, elevators and parking. This is often the easiest design because the electricity is already on one meter.
- A system shared among suites. The output is allocated to individual units, which depends on the provincial metering rules and on the utility. Where it is allowed, it takes careful agreements. See shared solar ownership and metering.
- A third-party-owned system. A developer installs and owns the panels, and the building pays through a lease or power purchase agreement, as described in solar lease versus PPA.
- A share in an off-site project. If the roof does not work, community solar may be an option. See community solar in Canada.
How do you get approval from the board and owners?
Start by reading the declaration, bylaws and any rules on alterations to common property. Many require a board vote, and some a vote of owners for larger projects, so the process can take months. Written permission is generally needed before anything is attached to the roof or the exterior. A strong proposal answers these questions in plain language: what it costs, who pays, how the savings are shared, who is responsible for maintenance and insurance, and what happens at roof replacement.
Check the roof's age and condition. A system that sits on a roof due for replacement in a few years can mean removing and reinstalling the panels. The cost of such work is a quoted item. Look at the solar installer checklist before talking to contractors.
What about balcony or plug-in solar panels?
Small panels for a balcony railing are marketed in some countries as a way for renters and apartment owners to generate a little power. In Canada, the electrical code, utility connection rules and condo bylaws all affect whether such a setup is allowed, and rules are still evolving. Never plug a generating device into a household outlet without confirming it is permitted and safe. Ask your condo board, your utility and your local electrical authority first. Stand-alone panels that charge a battery without connecting to the building's wiring are a different matter, with a very small output, and the general options are in grid-tied versus off-grid solar.
What should you check about costs, tax and incentives?
Costs vary with building size, roof type, region and year. Request several quotes and compare them with solar panel cost in Canada. A corporation or landlord may be treated differently from a homeowner for tax purposes, and programs often separate residential from commercial or multi-unit projects. Ask your accountant, and check the Government of Canada energy-efficiency pages, your province and your utility for current terms. Financing routes are listed in solar financing options. If the system is large, an energy audit can show whether lighting or ventilation upgrades should come first.
Heat is another shared-building opportunity. The Drake Landing project in Okotoks served 52 homes from one shared system, covered on the district heating page.
Quick answers
Can condo owners install solar panels?
Usually only with approval from the condo corporation, because the roof and exterior are common property. A single owner generally cannot install panels alone.
Who benefits from solar on a multi-unit building?
It depends on the design. Common-area systems cut the corporation's electricity bill, while shared or third-party systems allocate the savings under a contract and the provincial metering rules.
Are balcony solar panels legal in Canada?
It depends on the electrical code, the utility and the building rules, and requirements are changing. Confirm with your condo board, your utility and your local electrical authority before installing anything.
Does the roof need to be replaced first?
If the roof is near the end of its life, it is usually cheaper to replace it before installing panels. Ask an installer and a roofer to review its condition.