10/13/2026
Ontario doesn’t require solar on new buildings. Yet.
But we’ve seen this playbook before. In 2018, the province used the Building Code to require EV charging in new construction, then pulled it back a year later. The mechanism exists, and the code can change fast.
California already requires solar on most new homes. Cities like Long Beach are mandating solar-ready roofs on larger developments. Ontario’s grid is heading into a major expansion to meet electrification demand.
For developers, the smart move isn’t waiting for a rule. It’s designing for solar now:
✅ Reserve roof space
✅ Plan equipment layout to avoid shading
✅ Build in conduit and electrical capacity
It costs a fraction of a retrofit, and it can make your building more attractive to buyers and tenants from day one.
We break it all down in this week’s Insights here https://vctgroup.com/insights/ontario-mandatory-solar-on-new-construction