42.84 kW Rooftop Solar System Integrated into a New Toronto Community Housing Development in Etobicoke, Ontario

A high daytime load against a roof asset approaching the end of its replacement cycle.

Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) is Canada’s largest social housing provider, managing residential properties across Toronto and representing a significant segment of Ontario’s government and public sector facilities. As new residential buildings enter the portfolio, embedding renewable energy generation at the design stage — rather than retrofitting it later — is both operationally and financially more effective.

At 50 Torbolton Drive, the project required a rooftop solar system to be integrated into new construction from the outset, coordinated with Martinway Contracting as general contractor. Unlike retrofit installations, new-build solar design must align with structural planning, electrical service sizing, and utility interconnection requirements during the construction phase itself — before the building is occupied or active electricity consumption has been established.

The system needed to be sized appropriately for the building’s projected electricity load, installed without disrupting active construction timelines, and commissioned ready for occupancy.

Size to the service. Mount without penetrations.

A 42.84 kW DC rooftop solar PV system was designed and installed in coordination with Martinway Contracting’s construction program at 50 Torbolton Drive, Etobicoke. System design, structural integration, and electrical interconnection were planned alongside the building’s construction, enabling a clean, purpose-built installation without the constraints typical of retrofit work.

The system was sized to the building’s projected annual electricity consumption profile. By integrating solar at the construction stage, the development enters service with on-site generation in place from day one — reducing grid electricity dependence for residents and TCHC from the point of first occupancy.

The system reached commercial operation in October 2025.

The numbers, then the consequence.

• 0145,226 kWh of solar electricity generated annually — on-site renewable generation available from first occupancy.
• 0242.84 kW DC system commissioned October 2025 at a new TCHC residential development in Etobicoke.
• 03Solar embedded in new construction — eliminating the cost and complexity of a future retrofit.
• 04On-site generation reduces grid electricity dependence for residents and TCHC from day one.

For the facilities and engineering audience.

The rooftop solar system consists of 42.84 kW DC (72 × JA Solar JA72D30-595W modules) paired with 30 kW AC via a single Solis S6-GC30K-LV-US 30 kW inverter. TerraGen rooftop racking was used throughout the installation.

The JA Solar JA72D30-595W is a large-format bifacial module selected for high output per unit of roof area. The Solis S6-GC30K-LV-US inverter provides reliable single-unit conversion for a system of this scale, with integrated monitoring capability.

Electrical integration and utility interconnection were coordinated as part of the new construction program, ensuring the system was ready for commissioning concurrent with building completion in October 2025.

Facility characteristics that shaped the design.

• New residential construction — TCHC municipal housing development at 50 Torbolton Drive, Etobicoke
• Solar integrated at design and construction stage, not retrofitted post-occupancy
• No prior electricity consumption history — system sized to projected building load profile
• Delivered in coordination with Martinway Contracting as general contractor
• System commissioned October 2025, concurrent with building completion

What was installed.