The SolarTO Map shows the solar potential of Toronto’s rooftops. Enter your address in the map below and scroll down to see the solar energy potential of your building, including environmental and estimated cost impacts. The SolarTO Map uses rooftop data to help you determine whether solar is a suitable option for your rooftop before speaking with an installer or advisor.
For more information about solar assessments generated by the SolarTO Map or if you experience any trouble using the map, please email us at SolarTO@toronto.ca. We value your feedback.
Note: When entering your address, please enter only the house/property number followed by the street name to find your location, then select from the dropdown menu that appears below.
The 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, along with the sun’s daily position throughout the year.
This model includes the effects of roof pitch, orientation and shading from surrounding structures and trees.
Rooftops must meet requirements to be suitable for solar panels. 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, measures 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:
After assessing your property’s potential, the next step is to reach out to qualified solar installers. Explore Solar Resources and the Step-by-Step Process for guidance. Refer to Financing and Incentives to learn about additional available supports.
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 (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 varies significantly, depending on multiple factors unique to your site’s conditions and 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.
Emissions reduction is translated into comparisons such as the number of cars removed from the road and number of trees grown:
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 results that the SolarTO Map presents to you.