Overview

Ready Solar Inc’s innovations in solar installation have recently been recognized by APsystems, earning second place in residential in their 2024 Project of the Year Awards.

This blog takes you through the highlights of the project, the technology behind it, and what this recognition means for the future of our solar solutions. A proud moment for the entire team, we also want to show how your support continues to drive our progress.

Highlights

Introduction

The solar scene in BC has exploded with interest and investment over the years. Property owners are increasingly looking for smarter, more resilient energy solutions. As of January 2025, more than 12,000 customers participated in the net metering program, with many using solar PV systems to do so.

We’ve answered that call by designing systems that are tailored to the evolving needs of BC citizens. We hope that our recognition for innovation ignites your curiosity about what’s possible with solar.

What Is the APsystems Project of the Year?

The APsystems project of the year celebrates and highlights solar contractor excellence across Canada. Its purpose is to spotlight projects that demonstrate forward-thinking design, technical expertise, and a clear understanding of how solar technology can meet modern energy needs.

Submissions must showcase meaningful application of APsystems’ microinverters or energy storage solutions. Winners are given the opportunity to share their project, highlighting standout features, installation challenges, and how their work reflects leadership in solar innovation. Our team took great care in submitting a project that not only met those expectations but captured the spirit of what’s possible when technology and long-term vision come together.

Why This Residential Solar Installation Was Chosen for Recognition

We submitted a residential solar installation completed in Surrey, BC, designed with full battery compatibility. Flexibility was really stressed in this system. We wanted to ensure the homeowner had the freedom to add energy storage whenever they’re ready, without needing to rework their setup. Every element was selected to support that long-view approach, with microinverters playing a central role.

We had great confidence in this submission (though the choice was tough) because it epitomizes the kind of future-forward thinking we aim to bring to every install. In a province where backup power is becoming more of a priority, we saw an opportunity to create something that was both ready for the present and equipped for the future. A key reason why it was chosen for a prize like this was its clear demonstration of how solar can be made future-ready without adding complexity.

Designing a Battery-Ready Solar System That Stands Out

A large proportion of our installations now include battery backup, and that demand continues to grow. With that in mind, we want to be transparent about what actually went into designing a battery-ready solar system that can evolve and be strong enough to earn national recognition.

This project, along with many others just like it, followed these key design principles:

  • Hybrid-ready design: The system was built to accommodate energy storage, eliminating the need for retrofitting down the line.
  • Microinverter selection: We chose APsystems’ microinverters for their seamless battery compatibility and proven reliability in residential settings.
  • Flexible installation planning: Conduit runs, panel placement, and system layout were all configured to leave room for future storage expansion.
  • Customer-centered approach: We guided the homeowner through each decision with future needs in mind, ensuring the system would grow with them.
  • Clean, integrated finish: Despite its flexibility, the installation remained compact and visually unobtrusive, maintaining curb appeal.

How We Used APsystems Microinverters To Maximize Efficiency

Using APsystems’ microinverters was a requirement for this submission, but it’s also a technology we consistently choose for its proven performance.

These microinverters drive real efficiency gains—often improving overall system output by 5 to 15 percent compared to traditional string inverters. That’s a meaningful boost, especially for homeowners working within space or budget limits. That efficiency is also smarter. The inverter is programmed to collect and analyze performance data, allowing you to see and understand how each panel is operating.

For the featured project, the APsystems microinverters allowed each panel to operate at its best by managing power generation independently. This mitigates issues like shading or orientation mismatches across the array. Since each microinverter serves multiple panels, it also helped reduce wiring complexity and overall system costs, contributing to a cleaner install.

Innovating With Hybrid-Ready Design for Future Storage

To us, innovation means anticipating needs before they become limitations. It’s in the planning, the questions we ask at the outset, and every detail that gives a system the ability to evolve. That mindset is ingrained in our approach and a testament to strategic long-term thinking.

Hybrid-ready design is part of that philosophy. By making sure the infrastructure is already in place for energy storage, we remove barriers that might otherwise stall progress later. It’s a way of building solar systems that keeps the door open for homeowners to achieve their energy goals, both now and as they evolve over time. A project like the one Apsystems chose as a finalist reflects that belief in practical foresight and the importance of building with the years ahead already in mind.

The Role of Collaboration in Delivering Solar Solutions

Collaboration is an important part of every stage of a solar project. It isn’t just something we foster within the team, either. Our broad network and policy of open, honest communication manifest in how ideas take form, how challenges are resolved, and how we align design with both current needs and future goals. No part of the process can succeed without that underlying commitment.

For our clients, collaboration means shared decision-making and access to partners who care as much about the outcome as they do. The award-winning APsystems residential project wouldn’t have been possible without the coordination of everyone involved. It’s a model we want future clients to see and to expect when they choose us to bring their solar goals to life.

There were three key players in this collaborative process:

  • The homeowners: Their clarity, openness, and long-term vision helped guide the design. They were fully engaged in the process, asked the right questions, and trusted us to deliver a system that aligned with their energy goals and needs.
  • The APsystems team: Their microinverter platform provided the foundation for this project’s technical success. Their supply consistency and well-documented product features allowed us to plan and deliver the right system confidently.
  • Our installation crew: The hands-on expertise of our team brought the design to life. From system layout to final commissioning, their ability to adapt while holding to the original vision was essential to the quality and strength of the finished product.

What This Recognition Means for Our Clients and Community

This isn’t the first time we’ve been recognized for an outstanding solar achievement, and it won’t be the last. We want our current and future clients, as well as the communities we serve, to know that we’re building something bigger, and recognition like this affirms the path we’re on in a few key ways.

The first is reassurance. For clients who’ve chosen us, or are thinking of doing so, it confirms that our work not only holds up to scrutiny but even surpasses expectations. It’s one thing to promise quality—it’s another to see it validated by peers and industry leaders.

For the community, this win gestures to something broader. It shows that innovation and leadership in solar aren’t reserved for large urban centers or headline projects. They’re happening here, on local rooftops, in ways that make clean energy more accessible and reliable for everyone.

How We Continue to Raise the Bar

As honored as we are by this recognition, we aren’t satisfied with staying where we are. We want to be known as part of the echelon that raises the standards for solar.

One of the ways we continue doing that is through the technology we use. APsystems has been a trusted partner, but we also track and adapt to the newest developments in solar panels, battery systems, and monitoring tools. The more we know, the better equipped we are to deliver systems that reflect what’s possible now, not just what may have worked five years ago.

The other is education. We’ve made it a priority to ensure homeowners understand the systems they’re investing in. There are still far too many installations where key information gets left out or glossed over, leaving people in the dark. We want every client to feel confident not only in the product but in their knowledge of it. A more informed homeowner is one who can take full ownership of their energy.

Ready To Build a Future-Proof Solar System?

The values that this prize recognizes—sustainability, innovation, impact—are the same ones that drive every solar system we design. If you're thinking long-term and want a setup that can grow with you, Ready Solar Inc is here to help you make that a reality. Whether it’s a home like the one featured in this award-winning project or a business preparing for future demand, we’ll help you move forward.

We’re ready when you are. Call (604) 262-6919 to start your residential or commercial project.