Range Road Solar
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Commercial Solar — Shops & Barns

Solar for Shops and Barns

Large metal-clad buildings are some of the best candidates for solar in Alberta. Significant roof area, high electrical loads, and clamp-based mounting that requires no roof penetrations.

Why Shops and Barns Work Well for Solar

Metal-clad shops, quonsets, and large barns are ideal solar candidates for several reasons. Their roof areas are large — often 2,000 to 10,000 square feet of south-facing surface. Their electrical loads are significant — shop equipment, grain handling, ventilation, and lighting all consume meaningful amounts of power. And metal roofs allow clamp-based mounting that attaches without penetrating the roof membrane.

We have installed systems on equipment barns, grain storage facilities, cattle operations, and heated shops across central and southern Alberta. Each installation is sized to the actual electrical load of the building, not a generic estimate.

See our farm solar page for more on agricultural applications, or our acreage page for residential acreage systems.

Building Types We Work With

Heated Shops

Welding, compressors, and general shop power. Rooftop systems on south-facing metal shop roofs offset daytime load effectively.

Grain Barns & Quonsets

Large corrugated or standing seam roofs. Clamp-based mounting, no penetrations. Systems sized 20 to 60 kW are practical on larger structures.

Cattle & Livestock Barns

Continuous loads including ventilation, waterers, and lighting. We size for year-round consumption and seasonal variation.

Equipment Storage

Large flat-profile buildings with significant south-facing area. Often the most cost-effective rooftop solar installation on a farm.

The Process

01

Load and Bill Review

We review your power bill to understand consumption patterns and identify the right system size for your building.

02

Site Assessment

We assess roof condition, south-facing area, structural capacity, electrical service, and interconnection requirements.

03

Design and Utility Application

We produce a system layout, production estimate, and cost summary, then submit your micro-generation application to your utility.

04

Installation and Commissioning

Our crew installs clamp-based racking, panels, inverter, and electrical connections. Work is performed by licensed electricians.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Metal roofs — including standing seam, corrugated, and ribbed profiles — are well-suited to solar. We use clamp-based mounting systems that attach to the roof seams or ribs without penetrating the roof membrane. This is one of the cleanest installations we do.

A large metal-clad shop or quonset barn can support 20 to 60 kW or more depending on roof area. We assess the roof structure, south-facing area, and electrical service capacity during the site visit to determine the maximum practical system size.

Welding equipment, air compressors, dust collectors, lighting, and general shop power are all good candidates. We review your power bill to understand your actual consumption pattern and size the system to offset the loads that run during daylight hours.

It depends on your electrical service configuration. If the shop and house share a single meter, the system can offset both loads. If they are on separate services, we discuss the most practical approach during the design phase.

Your utility depends on your location — Fortis Alberta, ATCO Electric, or a Rural Electrification Association such as EQUS. We identify your utility during the initial consultation and manage the micro-generation interconnection application on your behalf.

Get a Solar Design for Your Shop or Barn

Submit a recent power bill and we will review your consumption and provide an honest assessment. No obligation.

Book a Call (587) 330-7502

Solar for Farms · Solar for Acreages · Microgeneration