Panels need somewhere to sit. For most Canadian homes the first thought is the roof, and often that is right. But there are other choices, and on some properties a ground-mounted array or a carport is clearly the better answer.
This article is part of our guides to panels and equipment.
Roof mounts
Most residential systems are fixed to the roof with rails and attachments that go through the roofing into the structure. The panels sit a few centimetres above the surface so air can circulate.
Why people choose it: it is the cheapest route, uses space you already have and keeps the array out of the way. A south-facing slope between roughly 25 and 45 degrees is a common sweet spot in Canada, but east and west faces still work, and they can even suit households that use more power in the morning and evening.
What to check:
- The roof’s age and condition. Panels last 25 years or more, so an old roof should be replaced first.
- Structural capacity, including the weight of the array and snow load.
- Shading from trees, chimneys and neighbouring buildings.
- The roofing material and how attachments are flashed and sealed.
Our guides to whether solar is right for your roof and solar on different roof types go through these checks in more detail.
Ground mounts
A ground mount is a frame on footings or ground screws in a yard or field. It suits properties with space, such as acreages, cottages and farms, and homes where the roof is shaded or awkward.
Advantages are real. You can choose the tilt and orientation precisely, which can give a bit more yearly output than a compromised roof. Maintenance and snow clearing are easy to reach, and there are no holes in your roofing. Panels in a low row do collect drifts, so mount the bottom edge high enough above the expected snow depth.
The downsides are cost and site work. Foundations must suit local frost depth and soil, trenching brings power back to the house, and some municipalities set rules about placement, height or setbacks. Expect a higher price per watt than a roof of similar size. Farm properties often have particular loads and metering, which we discuss in solar for farms.
Carports and canopies
A solar carport is a roof for your car made of panels. It gives shade and rain cover, uses space already dedicated to parking and often has an ideal orientation. It also makes sense alongside an electric vehicle charger.
It is the most expensive of the three for the energy produced, because you are paying for a structure as well as panels. Steel frames, footings, drainage and snow load all need to be engineered for the site. For that reason, a carport is usually chosen when the structure is wanted anyway, or where no roof or ground option exists.
Comparison
| Mount type | Relative cost per watt | Best for | Main watch-out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof | Lowest | Sound, sunny roofs | Roof age and shade |
| Ground | Middle to higher | Acreages, shaded roofs | Footings, frost, permits |
| Carport | Highest | Parking plus power | Engineering, price |
Snow, wind and the Canadian building code
This is where Canada differs from sunnier, milder markets. Racking must be rated for local snow loads and wind loads, and the roof or ground structure must carry them. Ask the installer for the engineering basis, not just a promise. Local permits and electrical inspection apply to all mount types, and the electrical code’s rapid shutdown requirements apply to rooftop systems.
Tilt interacts with snow. A steeper angle sheds snow faster and suits low winter sun, while a flatter one catches more summer light. Our guide to snow on solar panels explains what yearly snow loss usually looks like, which is generally a modest share of annual output.
What about trackers?
Trackers move panels to follow the sun, either on one axis or two. They can raise yearly output, but they add cost, moving parts, and exposure to snow, ice and wind. In most residential cases in Canada, the same money buys more fixed panels with less to maintain. Trackers are more common on large ground-mounted projects than on homes.
Choosing
Start with what you have. If the roof is in good shape, faces within roughly 90 degrees of south and sees little shade, mount it there. If not, or if you have land, compare a ground mount on a real quote. If you want a covered parking space as well, ask for a carport price and compare it against the sum of the structure and a roof array.
Whichever you choose, confirm that equipment carries recognised certification such as CSA marks, that the installer is licensed and that the design includes a structural and wind assessment for your site.
Cost and permit reality checks
Whatever the mount, plan for a building permit where required, an electrical permit and a utility application. Ground mounts and carports are more likely to trigger planning rules, and in rural areas they may bring questions about setbacks from property lines and buried utilities. Ask the installer who applies for each approval, how long each has taken locally and whether the quote includes engineering drawings. A mount that looks cheaper on paper can end up costing more once footings, trenching and engineering are added.
Quick answers
Is a ground mount better than a roof mount?
It can produce a little more because you can pick the best tilt and avoid shade, but it costs more and needs space, footings and a permit. A good roof is usually the simpler and cheaper option.
Do solar trackers make sense in Canada?
They can raise yearly output but add cost and moving parts that must cope with snow, ice and wind. For most homes, extra panels on a fixed mount are often the simpler answer.
Can any roof take solar panels?
No. The roof needs enough structural capacity and remaining life. Replace an old roof before installation, because removing panels later costs extra.