About the Platform
Who is MyHEAT?
MyHEAT is an Albertan company known for empowering urban energy efficiency™ by helping to address one of the biggest hurdles faced when engaging homeowners about energy efficiency – its invisibility. We’ve helped millions of home and business owners visualize and compare heat loss across entire cities.
Now, we’ve expanded our offerings to promote the adoption of renewable energy generation through our rooftop solar potential platform! We are working with cities in Canada to help residents with their first step on their journey to go solar.
How do I contact MyHEAT about bringing this technology to my community?
If you are interested in bringing MyHEAT to your community, send us an email at solutions@myheat.ca to request a demo.
Why is this platform being offered in London?
The City of London has partnered with MyHEAT to offer this map and help you understand your home or residential property's solar potential. It can be used as a starting point on your climate action journey, and help you what steps and improvements you might make to use solar power. This is a 12-month long pilot project and, if this platform proves to be popular, the City of London may consider extending the availability of this platform.
How much solar power has been installed in London already?
As of November 2022, there was almost 19 megawatts of solar power generation capacity installed in London — enough to power over 2,500 homes in London!
Solar Potential Calculations
How is MyHEAT providing this information?
MyHEAT has partnered with Google to apply the Project Sunroof technology in communities across Canada. For questions regarding the Project Sunroof technology, visit Google’s Project Sunroof FAQ page.
What size of panels are you considering in this calculation?
Panels are generally 1.65 m by 0.992 m but this can vary by location.
A solar installer provided a different estimate than this tool. Why?
Solar energy production estimates depend on many factors and sources of information may have different estimates as a result of shading, typical weather in your area and equipment used. Additionally, Project Sunroof mapping data may be from a different period in time than other estimates and may not show recent growth or removal of trees.
How should I use the estimated information for my home?
These estimates are provided solely for informational purposes. It is recommended that residents contact a qualified solar installer to complete a site analysis that provides a detailed and personalized assessment of the solar potential specific to the building’s needs.
In using the solar potential map, you expressly agree that you use it solely at your own risk and that the MyHEAT and its partners are not liable to you for any damages whatsoever including any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special or other damages resulting from your use of the solar potential map.
What other assumptions are you making?
For the purposes of providing estimates on the benefits of installing solar panels in your region, the platform applies the following assumptions:
| 1. London Hydro | ||
|---|---|---|
| Assumption | Value | Description |
| Metering type | Net Metering | The method used by the utility to bill and meter electricity flows from solar generation and household consumption. |
| Fixed utility charges | $26.73 per month | All utility charges associated with maintaining utility service to a location, such as administration and delivery charges. |
| Annual utility rate escalator | 2.4% | The projected annual inflation rate for utility charges. |
| Cost of installation | $2,460.00 per kW | The estimated cost of installing solar panels in your region. |
| Panel Capacity | 400 watts | Nominal DC solar panel power output rating. |
| Annual system costs | 1% | The annual costs to operate the system, such as maintenance and insurance, as a percentage of total installation costs. |
| Annual panel degradation | 0.5% | The annual decline in output that solar panels experience over time. |
| General inflation | 1.4% per year | The annual rate at which average prices of goods and services increase. |
| Solar panel lifespan | 25 years | The expected life of installed solar panels. |
| Annualized cap | See electricity rate table | Amount of electricity that can be bought or sold at the current tier before moving to the next. |
| Consumption-based utility charges | See electricity rate table | All utility charges calculated based on the amount of energy consumed, including rates and variable delivery charges. |
| Microgeneration credit | See electricity rate table | The credit amount received for electricity sent to the electrical power grid. |
| Solar Rebates in Your Region | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Rebate Amount | Description | |
| Canada Greener Homes Grant | $1,000.00 per kW | Up to a maximum of $5,000.00 or 100% of the install cost. | |
| Electricity Rate Table | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier | Annualized Cap | Consumption-based utility charges | Microgeneration credit |
| 1 | 7,200 kWh | $0.10 per kWh | $0.10 per kWh |
| 2 | None | $0.10 per kWh | $0.10 per kWh |
My London Hydro bill has both electricity and water costs. Where can I find out how much I spend just on electricity every month?
On your London Hydro bill, look for the section that says "Your Electricity Costs". It includes costs for electricity supplied, delivery, and HST. Use the "Electric Charges" (#10) for the MyHEAT Solar calculator. For more information about your bill, please visit London Hydro's website.
How does net metering work?
Ontario's net metering initiative enables you to send surplus electricity from your solar panels to London Hydro's distribution system for a credit towards your electricity bill. Excess generation credits can be carried forward up to 12 months, to offset future electricity bills. For more information on net metering, please visit London Hydro's website.
Data Coverage and Availability
I’ve searched for a building, but no solar potential data is available. Why?
Google Project Sunroof data is missing for some buildings. The rooftop that you’ve searched may be:
- Located outside of the current Google Project Sunroof coverage area.
- Be missing as a result of a gap in the available data through Google Project Sunroof. Examples of this may include garages or buildings that were under construction at the time that the data was collected.
The Google Project Sunroof data is always being reviewed to address existing issues. While solar potential data may not currently be available for the rooftop that you are interested in exploring, it may still have great solar potential. We recommend that you access the local resources and rebates included on this site to learn more about options available to you.
To learn more about the details of the MyHEAT solar potential map, please contact us at hello@myheat.ca
Where is the data for my garage?
Google Project Sunroof data is missing for some buildings. While solar potential data may not currently be available for the rooftop that you are interested in exploring, it may still have great solar potential. MyHEAT recommends that you contact a qualified solar installer to complete a detailed site assessment.
Adding solar panels to a detached garage roof may be an excellent option. If you add solar panels to your garage, you will not have to modify your home’s roof. Solar panels could be installed in addition to a system on your house or be installed when adding solar panels to your home’s roof is not optimal.
The Google Project Sunroof data is always being reviewed to address existing issues.
Why is the platform only applicable to single-family homes and not other, larger buildings?
The Project Sunroof technology calculates solar potential for the roof of every building. However, the system size and financial estimates found on the platform are tailored to residential buildings and do not consider units within the buildings. The economics for commercial and industrial buildings are often different from residential buildings due to different regulations, electricity prices, and solar installation costs.
Solar and Your Home
What's the first step to installing solar panels on my home?
It is important to remember that the estimates on this platform are provided for informational purposes only. If you are considering adding solar panels to your home, MyHEAT recommends that you contact a qualified solar installer to complete a detailed site assessment and visit the links included on this website to learn more about local resources and incentive programs.
How does my utility provider measure the energy that my solar panels are producing?
When you install solar panels, your utility provider will also install a bi-directional meter at your home. This allows them to track the energy flowing into and out of your house through a process called net metering.
With net metering, you only pay for the electricity that you use beyond what your solar panels can generate. It also allows your utility to provide a credit for any excess electricity produced that you do not use within your home. Any credit you receive will be based on an agreement with your utility provider.
It is important to remember that your utility provider can’t see what is happening on your side of the meter. In most cases, your financial benefits will be the result of the money you save by reducing the amount of electricity that you need your utility to provide.
How do solar panels impact my property value?
Solar panels can increase a home's value. Many home buyers are environmentally conscious and homes with solar panels may sell for more than homes without them.
What else should I consider in deciding if solar is right for my home?
This platform helps you understand the benefits of installing solar panels on your roof based on its solar potential and average costs in your region. There are other things to consider before you decide to go solar:
- Does your roof need replacing? Solar panels can last 25 to 40 years, so if your roof may need replacing, it is important to do it before having them installed. However, if your roof is in good condition prior to the installation, a solar array will shield and help protect the roof.
- Is your roof material suitable for solar panels? Many roof materials are suitable for solar, but some may be more suitable than others. For example, wood shake shingles or clay, slate and terra cotta tile roofs are generally not suitable so installers may recommend removing the tiles or shingles directly under the array which can lead to increased costs.
- Do you own a multi-family home? You may still be able to install solar panels on your home. However Project Sunroof does not always know which portion of the roof belongs to which address or homeowner.
If you would like to learn more about whether or not your home is right for solar, we recommend contacting a qualified service provider to get a detailed site assessment for your property.
Who do I contact if I have further questions about this platform?
To learn more about the details of the MyHEAT solar potential maps, please contact us at hello@myheat.ca
I have heard that some people in London have not been able to connect solar power to the grid — is this true?
Yes, that is true.
London Hydro is supportive of your interest to install solar generation and/or battery energy storage systems to manage your electricity bill and take part in reducing your greenhouse gas emissions. Although London Hydro would love to help you with your initiative, please be advised that not all locations within the City of London can accept solar generation. There are constraints and limitations to the amount of distributed generation that can be accepted safely on the distribution system.
As a result, not everyone can connect generation to London Hydro's grid because of constraints. Capacity constraints are evaluated through the Generation Connection approval process and capacity is allocated on a first-come first-served basis. To confirm whether or not you can connect generation at your location, please contact London Hydro Generation at generation@londonhydro.com or by phone at 519-661-5800 ext. 5723
Where in London are these grid constraints?
These grid constraints are all dependent upon which transformer station your home is connected to rather than where you live. Your house may be connected to a transformer station that has a lot of capacity, while your neighbour across the street may be connected to part of the distribution system that has no capacity. The only way to find out for sure is to contact London Hydro's Generation Team by email at generation@londonhydro.com or by phone at 519-661-5800 ext. 5723
Does the installer need a building permit from the City of London to install solar panels?
Yes — there is a flat fee of $180 to obtain a building permit from the City of London. For more information on building permits, please visit The City of London's website.
Will rooftop solar panels increase my property taxes?
No — according to the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation, rooftop solar power systems up to 10 kilowatts will not increase the assessed value of your home for property tax calculation purposes.
What questions should I ask to potential solar panel installers?
- Do you have experience installing small renewable energy projects in Ontario? Can you provide a list of past customers who would be willing to provide references?
- Are your installers qualified to install the project? Do they meet all necessary safety regulations, licensing and certification requirements?
- Are you registered with the Better Business Bureau?
- Do you provide any warranties on your labour and products?
- Do you have general liability insurance to cover property damage or injury?
- Will you assess my property to ensure that the system is installed at an optimal location? For example, will you ensure that my solar PV system is not in a shaded area?
- Will you order all the required equipment for the project? What is the full cost of the total installation?
- What are the ongoing operating and maintenance activities and costs I can expect?
- Will you arrange for all necessary approvals and permits? This includes:
- building permits; and,
- authorization to connect from the Electrical Safety Authority.
- Will you help me prepare my Net Metering program application?
- Will you work with London Hydro to arrange for connection to the grid? This includes:
- preparing the connection configuration diagrams;
- arranging for payment of the connection costs; and,
- helping prepare the connection agreement.
- Will you explain to me in full my rights and responsibilities to London Hydro before my signing of their connection agreement?
- What happens if I need to re-roof my property?
What questions should I ask to my insurance company?
- Should I report the solar panels installed on my property to my insurance company?
- Will my insurance go up if I allow solar panels to be installed on my roof?
- How much will my insurance go up if I install solar panels on my roof?
- What would happen if I did not report the solar panels on my roof? Would that affect any future claims?