☀ Renewables

Solar PV & Renewable Energy Design

Complete photovoltaic and renewable energy design — from rooftop commercial arrays to ground-mount farms and hybrid microgrids. Every system modelled in validated simulation software before a single drawing is produced.

☀ Free Feasibility Study First Get a Quote
Who This Is For

Is This the Right Service?

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Commercial Building Owners

You have a flat or low-slope roof, utility bills over $30K/year, and want to reduce operating costs. You need a permit-ready design your contractor can build from and your utility will accept.

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Electrical Contractors

You've won the solar install but need the engineering. P.Eng sealed SLD, equipment schedule, string sizing diagram, and permit set — ready for ESA inspection and utility interconnection.

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Developers & EPC Firms

You're managing a portfolio of solar projects and need a reliable engineering partner who delivers on time, responds to RFIs, and can attend commissioning as Owner's Engineer.

What You Get

Full Deliverables Package

  • Drone-captured 3D site model (Aurora integration)
  • PV layout with full shade analysis & string sizing
  • Energy yield simulation (kWh/yr) in PVsyst or HelioScope
  • Financial modelling: NPV, IRR, payback (Energy Toolbase)
  • Battery storage sizing & dispatch strategy (if included)
  • Microgrid optimization (HOMER 8,760-hr simulation)
  • Single-line diagram (SLD) — P.Eng sealed
  • Equipment schedule & procurement specifications
  • Structural attachment details (racking loads)
  • Conduit & cable routing plan
  • Permit-ready drawing set — AHJ & ESA ready
  • Utility interconnection / net metering package
Also included in Standard & Premium:
Contractor Q&A support during construction, commissioning checklist, and RFI response.
How We Work

The Engineering Process

1
Site Visit & Drone Survey
Deploy drones to capture high-resolution orthomosaic imagery. Build 3D model in Aurora with every obstruction, penetration, and setback mapped to within 2–5 cm.
2
System Design & Simulation
Design PV array in HelioScope or PVsyst. Size strings, select inverter(s), run hourly shade analysis and energy simulation. Cross-check with PVWatts for independent validation.
3
Financial Modelling
Energy Toolbase generates financial projections — cash flow analysis, NPV, IRR, payback period, and sensitivity analysis across electricity rate scenarios.
4
Engineering Drawings
Produce full permit set in AutoCAD: SLD, equipment schedule, structural attachment details, conduit/cable routing, site plan, and specifications. P.Eng review and seal applied.
5
Permit & Interconnection Support
Client review cycle, revisions, AHJ permit submission support, ESA coordination, and net metering / interconnection application package for the utility.
Tools & Standards

Industry-Standard Software

HelioScopePVsystAurora Solar HOMER ProEnergy ToolbaseDJI Drone AutoCADPVWatts V8

Applicable Standards

  • CEC (Canadian Electrical Code)
  • OBC / NBC structural loading
  • IEEE 1547 (Interconnection)
  • CSA C22.2 (Equipment)
  • ESA Bulletin 11-4-4 (Ontario)

Utilities We've Worked With

  • Hydro One (Ontario)
  • Toronto Hydro
  • Alectra Utilities
  • Enbridge (gas savings analysis)
  • Various municipal LDCs
Common Questions

Solar PV FAQ

Do I need a drone survey for every project?
A drone survey significantly improves layout accuracy for commercial projects (typically >50 kW). For smaller residential systems, satellite imagery combined with on-site measurements is often sufficient. We'll assess which approach is right for your project during scoping.
Can you design battery storage into an existing solar system?
Yes. We review the existing inverter, panel capacity, and electrical service, then design a retrofit BESS addition including any required service upgrades, transfer switch design, and utility protection requirements. An AC-coupled or DC-coupled design is selected based on site constraints.
What's the difference between HelioScope, PVsyst, and Aurora?
All three are industry-standard tools but serve different strengths. HelioScope excels at fast commercial design with detailed shade modelling. PVsyst is the gold standard for bankable yield reports (often required for financing). Aurora integrates drone-captured 3D models and is strong for residential and small commercial. We select the tool based on project size, accuracy needs, and financing requirements.
Will you handle the net metering application?
Yes. The interconnection / net metering application package is included in our Standard and Premium tiers. This includes the P.Eng sealed SLD, protection relay settings, application forms, and technical documentation in the format required by your specific utility.
How does your solar design align with the free feasibility study?
The free solar feasibility study uses NREL PVWatts to give you an instant ballpark estimate. When you move to a full engineering engagement, we replace the PVWatts estimate with a site-specific HelioScope or PVsyst simulation that accounts for your actual roof geometry, shading objects, equipment selection, and local irradiance data at higher resolution. The feasibility estimate often needs to be refined — but it's a useful first screen.