What Documents You Need for Solar Approval in Each Province

What Documents You Need for Solar Approval in Each Province

Installing solar panels in Canada is more than just a smart energy move it’s a paperwork journey. From net metering applications to technical drawings, each province has its own solar approval process that homeowners must follow to legally connect their system to the grid. If you skip or delay any part of this paperwork trail, you risk costly project delays or even having to redo inspections.

At Solenery, we’ve helped homeowners navigate clean energy projects across multiple provinces. In this post, we break down the document requirements by region, so you know what to prepare, when to submit it, and how to avoid the red tape that slows down thousands of installations every year.

Why Documentation Matters for Solar in Canada

Each utility provider—whether it’s Hydro One in Ontario, BC Hydro in British Columbia, or Énergie NB in New Brunswick—requires specific technical and regulatory documents before you can receive approval for interconnection. These documents aren’t just formalities—they’re the green light your installer needs to proceed with panel mounting, wiring, and grid tie-in.

Failure to submit complete documents can result in:

• Project halts and failed inspections
  
• Delayed rebate or grant payments
  
• Grid disconnection notices
  
• Permit reapplications and added costs
  

That’s why at Solenery, we make sure every homeowner we support has the right documentation checklist customized to their province and utility.

Key Solar Documents Needed in Canada (By Province)

🔹 Ontario (Hydro One & Alectra)

1. Connection Impact Assessment (CIA)

• Required for systems >10kW
  
• Submitted by your electrical contractor
  
• Evaluates the grid impact of your solar system
  

2. Net Metering Application

• Standard form provided by Hydro One
  
• Must be submitted before installation begins
  

3. Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) Notification

• Filed by your licensed electrical contractor post-installation
  
• Mandatory for final approval
  

4. Site Plan & Single Line Diagram

• Detailed layout showing panel placement, wiring, and inverter specs
  

5. Proof of Insurance

• Some utilities require homeowner insurance to list the solar system
  

Solenery’s Ontario-based clients often use our internal forms and workflow to fast-track this process—we pre-fill application data and coordinate directly with ESA.

🔹 British Columbia (BC Hydro)

1. Net Metering Interconnection Application

• Online form via BC Hydro portal
  
• Must include inverter specs and CSA certification
  

2. Site Plan & Electrical Diagram

• Must clearly indicate DC/AC disconnects and grounding methods
  

3. Commissioning Report

• Signed by a certified FSR (Field Safety Representative)
  

4. Electrical Permit & Declaration of Compliance

• Issued through Technical Safety BC
  

With Solenery, BC clients get guided access to our interconnection portal. We even cross-check inverter models against BC Hydro’s approval list.

🔹 Alberta (ENMAX, EPCOR)

1. Micro-Generation Application

• For systems under 150kW
  
• Must include inverter specs and a load profile
  

2. Site Plan with Metering Diagram

• Must show bi-directional metering setup
  

3. Proof of Ownership or Tenant Agreement

• Ensures project authorization
  

4. Municipal Electrical Permit

• Required before energizing system
  

Alberta utilities are strict about metering standards. Solenery’s Alberta support team reviews every diagram before submission to ensure first-time approvals.

🔹 Québec (Hydro-Québec)

1. Application for Self-Generation

• Part of their “net metering” equivalent program
  
• Requires energy balance calculations
  

2. Detailed Engineering Drawing

• Needed for systems >5kW
  

3. Certificate of Conformity

• Issued by a certified Québec engineer
  

4. Electrical Installation Permit

• Filed through RBQ-licensed contractors
  

We’ve helped several Québec homeowners avoid months of delays by preparing their documents in both English and French and ensuring compliance with Hydro-Québec’s bilingual formatting requirements.

🔹 Nova Scotia & Atlantic Canada

Each Atlantic province (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, Newfoundland & Labrador) has slight variations, but generally require:

• Utility application forms (Net Metering or Distributed Generation)
  
• Detailed system specs
  
• Proof of CSA-approved equipment
  
• Electrical inspection certificate
  
• Interconnection agreement
  

Solenery’s Atlantic support hub works closely with Nova Scotia Power and NB Power to ensure our clients’ documents are properly labeled, signed, and uploaded via each province’s utility portals.

Get It Right the First Time with Solenery’s Help

Whether you’re in downtown Toronto or rural PEI, the solar approval process can feel overwhelming. Between deciphering utility jargon and aligning your installer’s documents with provincial rules, the risk of error is high.

That’s why Solenery doesn’t just offer document templates—we offer guided compliance support. Our platform includes:

• Customized province-specific checklists
  
• Pre-filled utility forms
  
• Direct utility coordination (when permitted)
  
• Tracking for approval status and deadlines
  

Final Takeaway

Paperwork may not be the most exciting part of your clean energy upgrade, but it’s the most essential. Skip one step, and your system could stay offline for weeks—or longer. With Solenery as your solar ally, you get peace of mind that your approval docs are complete, correct, and submitted on time.

Ready to simplify your solar journey?