Note: When entering your address, please enter only the house/property number followed by street name, then select from the dropdown menu that appears below.
The City of Toronto’s SolarTO mapping tool was created through a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analysis of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data. LiDAR technology captures high accuracy elevation data. The software takes into account geographical latitude, as well as the sun’s daily position throughout the year.
This model includes the effects of roof pitch, orientation, and shading from surrounding structures and trees. It may not reflect all new adjacent structures built after 2018 that may obstruct a building’s solar exposure.
To be suitable for solar panels, rooftops must meet certain requirements. Based on industry best practices, the SolarTO Map uses the following criteria to identify a suitable rooftop:
Based on these criteria, the SolarTO Map determines which area of your roof can be used for a solar installation, the size of the solar system that can fit in that area, and calculates the annual solar electricity production potential in kilowatt hours (kWh).
To estimate solar electricity production, 15 per cent panel efficiency and 86 per cent performance ratio is assumed. These values indicate that the solar panels are capable of converting 15 per cent of incoming solar radiation into electricity, and 86 per cent of that electricity is maintained while 14 per cent is lost due to soiling, inverter inefficiency, wiring, etc.
In determining the solar system size, the SolarTO Map estimates that one kW of solar will generate 1,150 kWh per year, based on average solar radiation in Toronto.
Please note that the map suggests the maximum system size for your building, which may be more than you need to meet your electricity consumption. For a grid-tied solar system, Toronto Hydro’s Net Metering program requires that the solar system be sized to meet consumption without generating (and thus exporting) any excess electricity beyond the building’s demand on an annual basis.
To determine your demand review your electricity bill, calculate your annual electricity consumption in kWh by adding the values for 12 months, and compare it to the electricity production generated by the solar map to see how much the solar will offset.
The financial calculations use a 25-year analysis period which is the typical warranty period for solar panels. The upfront cost of the system is based on the suggested system size and the average solar installation rates in Toronto. Please note that the installed cost of solar can vary significantly as it depends on multiple factors unique to your site’s conditions, as well as changes in the market. The financial calculations do not account for available financial incentives.
The payback period refers to the amount of time it will take for you to recover the cost of the solar system through the savings generated by your solar system. The payback period is based on annual electricity bill savings minus the upfront cost of the solar system.
The savings are calculated by multiplying the average utility rate, assumed to be $0.156, with the electricity generated (kWh) by the solar system.
The financial calculation estimates that your savings will grow by 4.5 per cent per year, assuming that the price of electricity will escalate by 5 per cent every year and solar panel performance will degrade by 0.5 per cent per year.
The emissions calculation considers the benefits of solar over 25 years. Based on the projected increase of emissions from the grid, it is assumed that solar will offset 0.07 kilograms (000.07 tonnes) of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) for each kWh of solar electricity produced.
To simplify understanding, emissions reduction is translated into equivalent everyday terms such as the number of cars removed from the road and number of trees grown.
After assessing your property’s potential, the next step is to reach out to qualified solar installers. Explore our Solar Directory for a list of companies and Choosing a Solar Installer for guidance. Refer to Financing and Incentives to learn about available options.
Please email us at SolarTO@toronto.ca if you experience any trouble with using the map. We value your feedback.
Disclaimer
The SolarTO Map is intended for information purposes only and as a preliminary solar assessment tool. Users are encouraged to contact solar installers who will carry out a detailed site-specific assessment. Please note that new or changed buildings since the data/photograph dates will not be properly reflected in the SolarTO Map. The mapping tool is based on topographical surveys and simulations and its results may be unavailable or inaccurate due to issues including, but not limited to incomplete or out-of-date geospatial layers, undetectable partial obstructions, excess vegetation or non-modelled obstructions. In using the SolarTO Map, you agree that the City of Toronto is not responsible for or liable to you for any adverse impacts of any kind resulting from the use or reliance on the content, accuracy, or completeness of the results that the SolarTO Map presents to you.