Solar Hidden Costs — Canada

Tick what applies to your home; see the CAD range quotes probably did not include.

Roof reinforcement / repair before installOlder roofs should be reshingled first; panels outlive shingles by 20 years.Main electrical panel upgrade (200 A)Common on older homes; required for most battery installs.Permit + inspection feesSet by municipality; electrical permit plus building permit in some cities.Utility interconnection applicationSome utilities charge application + bi-directional meter fees.Trenching (detached garage / ground mount)Per-metre cost if the array is not on the house.Tree clearingShading kills production; arborist work is rarely in solar quotes.Snow guards / steep-pitch surchargeCanadian-specific; steep roofs and heavy snow zones cost more.Monitoring gateway / consumablesSometimes bundled, sometimes not.

Best case adder

C$0

Worst case adder

C$0

Ranges are market estimates (2026-07) and vary by municipality and roof. Ask each bidder to state, in writing, which of these are included.