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Due to rising utility costs, solar power systems and solar energy storage options have become a popular choice for home and business owners. One of the best examples of solar energy storage innovations expected to rule the market in the foreseeable future is the Pytes battery E-BOX-48100R. Its innovative minimalism-inspired design and immaculate construction technology ensure maximum efficiency with little to no hindrances and failure risks.

As reputed solar energy contractors, we’re going to take a close look at the Pytes battery E-Box 48100R and share five fundamental reasons why the Pytes battery is the best choice for your off-grid solar power storage needs.

Read Also: Rising Alberta Electricity Rates

Safe, Certified, And Clean Energy

Solar energy is the cleanest form of energy with zero greenhouse gas emissions. However, although solar panels are a clean energy source, they cannot store excess energy for later use. To resolve this issue, you can use battery energy storage, such as Pytes batteries. The Pytes battery can easily store the excess energy not required during the day and use it during power outages or at night.

The Pytes battery meets the standards of the new Canadian Electrical Code for energy storage installation. Also, unlike lead-acid batteries, its lithium iron phosphate chemical composition is one of the safest you can find in batteries.

Designed For Enhanced Convenience

The manufacturers of the Pytes battery pay close attention to each of its features to ensure maximum efficiency. The battery’s space-optimized assembly and compact configuration make it a great space saver and easy to install. The battery requires little to no maintenance, enhancing its cost-effectiveness.

If anything goes wrong, the product’s easy disassembly allows you to seamlessly replace a damaged or faulty cell instead of replacing the whole battery.

Wide Range Of Applications

The Pytes battery is a high-performance battery that provides 5.12 kWh (51.2 volts at 100 amp hours) for optimum off-grid solar power storage. This makes Pytes battery a viable substitute for grid-tied and off-grid solar systems. Resultantly, the Pytes battery is a good fit for residential use and small-scale industrial and commercial business activities.

Smart Battery Management System With Boosted Protection

The Pytes battery’s integrity is further enhanced by its smart BMS, which helps you keep a stringent eye on its operation. From real-time temperature, voltage, and current measurements to system monitoring and battery life calculations, everything is available for you to view and monitor.

Long Life Cycle And Ten-Year Warranty

In contrast to other batteries that give out in about five to eight years, Pytes batteries come with a ten-year warranty, flaunting 90% depth of discharge (DoD). As a result, our Pytes batteries and high-end solar power systems are great suitors for each other. Collectively, they provide you with a long-lasting and stress-free energy supply.

About Dandelion Renewables

With a solid commitment to environmental preservation, we aim to provide safer,  cleaner, and long-lasting solar energy solutions to meet the world’s ever-rising energy appetite. Learn more about Dandelion Renewables and our exquisite offerings.

Want to purchase a Pytes battery? Check out our Pytes Battery E-BOX-48100R now.

Also see our Pytes Battery Teardown Video:

Edmonton homeowners can apply for a rebate to be used towards the installation of solar. The program is providing $0.40 per Watt for existing residential units and $0.30 per watt for new homes. The program has a maximum of $4,000 available per dwelling unit.

As of this post, the program is already 77% filled. This may be the last year this grant is available, so you will need to consider getting a quote and see if solar makes sense for your home to benefit fully from the money that is available.

(Solar Rebate Program, 2022)

The solar rebate program secures your refund after you complete part 1 of the application process. If you are thinking about installing solar now is the time to get your questions answered and consider going green while these saving opportunities are available.

Why Go Solar

With the Greener Homes Grant and with the Change Homes for Climate Program available now is the time you can save the most on your solar system. Investing in solar not only contributes to lower carbon emissions but lowers your risk to volatile electricity rates. If you are thinking about getting an electric car you can fuel your own vehicle at home and with rising fuel prices save on refueling your vehicle.

Rebate Requirements

Installation requires a qualified solar provider.

“Residential Property” means a building or building(s) located within the municipal boundaries of the City of Edmonton that has one of the following residential uses under the City’s Zoning Bylaw #12800:

• Apartment Housing
• Duplex Housing
• Row Housing
• Semi-detached Housing
• Single Detached Housing
• Stacked Row Housing
• Mobile Home
• Garden Suite
• Garage Suite

An eligible Residential Property may have one or more dwellings, as defined in the City’s Zoning Bylaw #12800. In such a case, each occupied dwelling is eligible to participate in the CHCSP.

Eligible Expenses

“Eligible Expenses” are defined as the following expenses which are eligible for inclusion in the calculation of the maximum payable incentive:

a) expenses for the purchase of the solar PV equipment for the project (i.e. solar PV modules, racking, inverters, transformer (if any), cabling, conduit, fittings, disconnects, and monitoring interface);

b) expenses for the design, development, energy modeling, engineering (structural, electrical, civil, geotechnical), specification, procurement, and construction of the project;

c) expenses for obtaining the required electrical permit and grid-connected approvals, and any required building and development permits;

d) expenses for completing the required electrical inspection and building inspection for the project; and

e) expenses borne by the applicant for transmission and distribution system upgrades necessary to obtain interconnection approval.

You can review the full terms and conditions here.

How To Apply

Dandelion Renewables will design, acquire permits, install, and handle the application process for the city rebate. We take care of getting you set up with solar so you don’t have to. We aim to reduce the carbon footprints of our clients and offer an opportunity to save on their electricity bills with the increase in Alberta’s electricity rates. We are proud to be one of the top-rated solar and renewable energy contractors in Western Canada. Contact us for more information. Check out our latest blog post on Rising Alberta Electricity Rates.

Citations

Solar rebate program. Change Homes for Climate. (n.d.). Retrieved March 9, 2022, from https://homes.changeforclimate.ca/solar-rebate-program

Rising electricity rates are becoming more common in Alberta. If you are not locked in with your rate chances are your bills surprised you this winter. In the last 3 years we have experienced swings from 0.04 to 0.16 cents. That is a 300% range of volatility.

(Historical, 2020)

Why is this happening?

To answer this question we first need to understand how we get our power. In the past Alberta’s primary energy source has been from coal and natural gas. Coal, when not considering the cost to the environment and to public health, is one of the cheapest and consistent power generating sources costing around $18 per MWH in 2016. For reference winds intermittent power has averaged around $48 per MWH. However renewable energy costs have been decreasing dramatically year after year and is expected to continue on this trend.

One reason we see market volatility is Alberta’s goal to become net zero for carbon emissions in the energy generation sector by 2035(CBC,2022). The first stage for Alberta’s net zero goal is to start the reduction of carbon emissions. Alberta will accomplish this by first removing one of the leading contributors to CO2 emissions coal power generation. By the end of 2023 all major coal power production will be removed or transitioned to natural gas plants. This is a huge accomplishment for Alberta and to complete it in a short period of time as well.

As a society what can we do about it?

With more intermittent power generation from renewable sources and transitioning our existing infrastructure the market is reflecting these transitions. As our usage of renewable energy matures we will inevitably innovate ways of offsetting the intermittent generation of renewables. Some innovative solutions required for this are energy storage solutions like batteries or the creation and storage of hydrogen to be then burned later to provide power. Both allow for the storage of energy when renewables are at peak generation.

How and when we use our electrical energy will influence our prices. Our culture needs to adapt to our changing infrastructure. By offsetting when we use our electricity over the day we can actually contribute to lowering rates in the market. If we as a collective work together to change when we decide to do laundry, turn on the dishwasher or when to charge our electric vehicles we can greatly reduce the strain on our system.

As a homeowner how can solar help against changing rates?

By generating the power you require yourself, homeowners can limit their own risk when rates inevitably increase. Energy costs will naturally rise with inflation, transmission fees, and many other factors regardless of where we get our energy from. Think of it as an insurance policy that sits on your roof that generates power day after day. An insurance policy with federal grants and even some municipal grants depending on where you are located. They help contribute to the sustainability of the grid when grid-tied and help remove CO2 from the atmosphere. Not only does helping the environment feel good but you can save on every future energy bill you get moving forward.

How we can help

Dandelion Renewables contributes to the planet’s sustainable energy future by offering healthy environmental solutions. We aim to reduce the carbon footprints of our clients and offer an opportunity to save on their electricity bills with the increase in Alberta’s electricity rates. We are proud to be one of the top-rated solar and renewable energy contractors in Western Canada. Contact us for more information. Check out our latest blog post on the Greener Homes program.

Citations

CBC/Radio Canada. (2022, February 4). Opinion | Alberta steps closer to ending coal power, faster than many expected. but then comes the hard part | CBC news. CBCnews. Retrieved February 24, 2022, from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/opinion-alberta-end-coal-power-natural-gas-solar-wind-nuclear-1.6300606

Historical Alberta fixed & floating rate prices. EnergyRates.ca. (2020, March 22). Retrieved February 24, 2022, from https://energyrates.ca/alberta-electricity-rates-graph/

MCCAC – EV Charging program

The government of Canada and the provincial government of Alberta are teaming up to help bring electric vehicle charging stations to your municipality. This program will cover up to 100% of the costs for setting up electric vehicle charging stations on municipal owned land. Imagine your municipality having charging stations at your public library or your local community pool or hockey rink. Or your municipality having its own electric vehicle fleet keeping our air clean.

The Canadian government’s recent ban on the sale of gas cars and light duty trucks is to take place around 2035. Municipalities need to ensure they are supporting the transition to electric vehicles for their citizens and their own fleet vehicles. This funding provides the opportunity for municipalities to expand their charging infrastructure with little to no risk. It also allows for learning in implementing this new technology.

Electric vehicles have different level charge stations, Levels 1, 2, 3, respectively. Level 1 charging is the slowest charging method and is covered by the MCCAC. Level 2 charges at a much faster rate of 19 to 120 km/hr. The range of charging speed is determined by the output of the charger and the max rate the vehicle can charge at. Level two is the most common charging level and is the recommended level for public charging. Level 3 are fast chargers and make up the majority of the rebate table below. The Municipal Climate Change Action Centre (MCCAC) provides a table of rebates for charging below.

* To Qualify for Level 2 rebatee funding per connector, each connector must be able to charge a vehicle and support a parking space simultaneously. Fast Charging Station funding is based on the number of chargers.

** Proprietrary connector types can represent a maximum of 75% of aall charging connectors installed at the same project.

(MCCAC, 2022)

Why is it important to have EV chargers in your municipality?

Electric vehicle owners base their direction of travel on where the best chargers are for their route. Having access to chargers in your municipality puts you on their stop location for a charge. Those who come to charge visit nearby stores, check out local shops and coffee spots, and visit any attractions to make the most out of their stop.

When it comes to site location there are three main things you need to consider:

What utility service does your location have available? Is your local area distribution set up to handle the increased power requirements of the charge stations? This involves reviewing what transformers are in the area and how much power is currently being used and at what times you can expect peak usage.

How long will the vehicles be charging for? If you have longer charge times available like work locations, malls, or the pool your charge station will differ then if you have a short rest stop which would require a fast charger.

How visible is the station? For fleet vehicles public visibility will not be pertinent, however for public charging you need to make sure the location can accommodate signage as this is one of the program’s requirements.

MCCAC Assistance

Moving through the application process is made easier as the MCCAC provides one on one support to aid in the completion of the application. With a 100% return it is not without limitations. Your municipality should be aware there is a spending cap of $200,000 to ensure funds are split across locations in Alberta. You can find out more about this in the .

We Can Help

Dandelion Renewables contributes to the planet’s sustainable energy future by offering a wide range of environmental solutions. We offer a full service site visit to better understand your needs and ensure you get the maximum benefit and value out of the grants available. Our engineering team will help answer all the unknowns when it comes to setting up your new chargers for your municipality. We are proud to be one of the top-rated solar and renewable energy contractors in Western Canada. Contact us for more information. Check out our recent in depth EV blog post.

Citations

MCCAC. (n.d.). Electric vehicle charging program – mccac.ca. EVCP-Guidebook. Retrieved February 4, 2022, from https://mccac.ca/app/uploads/EVCP-Guidebook.pdf

Introduction

Canadian winters are infamously long and dark. For many of us, the search for the sun is never-ending. When summer arrives, I, myself, like to lie in the sun and bask in the warmth like a lizard. However, the sun is helpful for much more than being a lizard. Using solar panels, you can convert the nearly endless energy of the sun into clean electricity. So, where in Canada can you find this scarce resource?

To answer this question, I will be using Environment Canada’s Climate Normals and Averages from 1971 to 2000. I will be using the total number of bright sunlight hours per year. But first, a few notes. Firstly, the distribution of weather stations is not even across the country. Weather stations are heavily concentrated in populated areas, so I will not be able to measure the sunlight of every small town. Secondly, not every weather station measures sunlight. It is typically only the weather stations in larger cities that do.

Results

Let’s begin with the big three of Canada: Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. It may come as a surprise to no one at all that Vancouver is the least sunny of the three, with only 1,928 total sunlight hours a year. Montreal is a close second with 2,028 sunlight hours a year. Just barely beating Montreal, Toronto is the sunniest of the three, with 2,037 hours of sun a year.

A quick Google search for “sunniest place in Canada” will lead one to stumble upon Calgary. With 2,405 sunlight hours a year. Calgary consistently claims to be the sunniest city in Canada. The prairies are Canada’s sunniest region. Regina has 2,338 hours of sunlight a year, not quite as much as Calgary, but close. Calgary’s northern sibling, Edmonton, receives 2,299 sunlight hours a year. Impressive by national standards, but no match for Calgary. With 2,406 hours of sun, Swift Current is on the same level as Calgary. However, on the South Saskatchewan River, in between Calgary and Swift Current sits an often-overlooked city. Medicine Hat, Alberta, receives a whopping 2,512 hours of sunlight a year. Dandelion Renewables’ own solar farm is an hour from Medicine Hat in Maple Creek, Saskatchewan. Unfortunately, the weather station in Maple Creek does not provide data on sunlight hours.

So, there you have it. Medicine Hat is Canada’s sunniest city. But before we conclude, I would like to settle some local disputes.

British Columbia

In British Columbia, both Victoria, on Vancouver Island, and Cranbrook, in the Kootenays, claim to be the province’s sunniest city. According to Environment Canada, Victoria gets 2,193 hours of sunlight a year, impressive considering it’s a coastal city. Cranbrook gets 2,190 sunlight hours a year. Although Victoria technically wins, the difference between the two is only three hours, within the margin of error. We may never know what the sunniest city in BC is.

Ontario

With 2,087 hours of sunlight a year, Hamilton, Ontario, is slightly sunnier than surrounding cities such as Toronto and London. However, with 2,167 sunlight hours a year, Thunder Bay appears to be the sunniest city in the province.

Conclusion

If you live in the prairies, you will need fewer solar panels to produce the same amount of electricity as people in other parts of Canada, making solar an economical choice. However, if you live in Vancouver, for example, do not despair. Solar may still be feasible. You will simply require a larger system than your friends in Saskatchewan. Even though Canada may not be the sunniest country, we have more than enough sun to make solar panels a reliable and bountiful source of electricity.

The study of permaculture is relatively new, yet, it is incredibly vast and growing each year. It would be unrealistic to explain all the specificities of permaculture, so, in this blog, I will only attempt to provide a basic understanding.

What Is Permaculture

Although there is no definite definition of permaculture, David Holmren first conceived permaculture as the intersection of agriculture, landscape design, and ecology. The term was coined in the 1970s by David Holmren and Bill Mollison, who were searching for an alternative to our destructive agriculture practices.

Introduction of Monoculture

Modern agriculture is efficient, but it is also destructive in many ways. Monoculture is the cultivation of a single crop on a piece of land year after year. It is known to lead to rapid soil deterioration and increase the severity of pests and infections.

To counter the adverse effects of monoculture, modern agriculture utilizes synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, contaminating the air and local water sources. What is particularly worrying is that the typical North American eats these harmful substances daily. These chemicals are often expensive, favoring industrial-scale farms over small or personal farms.

Why is Permaculture Better?

Every year, we hear of droughts, early frosts, pests, or heat waves devastating crops somewhere in the world. Yet, natural ecosystems remain relatively unaffected.

Permaculture looks to natural ecosystems for solutions. We can find greater resilience, productivity, and sustainability by mimicking nature.

One of the critical principles of permaculture is diversity; planting multiple species within proximity of each other, when done correctly, can increase the well-being of all the participating plants. Some plants possess traits that work perfectly together. Using complementary characteristics of different plants to create a mutually beneficial environment is known as companion planting. Companion planting can create a nearly endless web of plants that all benefit each other and create a more resilient system as a whole, much like a natural ecosystem.

Once you have established diversity in your garden, there is the possibility of reusing and repurposing. Use the trimmings from your fruit trees as mulch for your vegetables, save your food scraps, start composting to make fertilizer for your garden, save your grey water to water your garden during dry spells, and use solar energy to pump the water. An ideal permaculture farm is entirely self-sufficient.

Another essential principle of permaculture is to observe and to design to the specifics of your land. For example, consider the local climate, the direction of the wind, and the history of the land, to name a few. You can use all these variables as strengths.

One of the incredible things about permaculture is its ability to transform barren and abused land into a productive and lively place. Given the patience it needs, nature will reclaim almost any piece of land. Permaculture practices require more time than typical modern agriculture, but you can expect to see larger yields and less maintenance once you have established your agricultural ecosystem.

Modern farmers spend large amounts of money on maintenance equipment, seeds, and chemicals, so they cannot afford to skip a cycle or five to establish a permaculture system. Although farmers can take inspiration and apply specific techniques, permaculture does not typically work on a commercial scale. However, if you are looking to produce food for yourself or your local community on a small scale, there are very few reasons not to utilize permaculture.

Conclusion

Permaculture now encompasses much more than just agriculture. It represents a cultural movement. The principles of permaculture have evolved into biomimicry, the idea that evolution is the world’s greatest engineer. Biomimicry has given us many great inventions such as more efficient wind-turbines inspired by humpback whales and quieter trains inspired by kingfishers. For many young people, permaculture promises to reestablish our lost connection with the land and create a healthier relationship with our planet.

Does your business or organization contribute to the creation of jobs and long-term growth of local economies?

Or perhaps you foster inclusive recoveries for groups such as Indigenous peoples, women, youth, LGBTQ2, persons with disabilities, or newcomers to Canada…

If you answered yes to one of these, you might want to read on.

Also Read: Information About Greener Homes Incentive

Does This Article Pertain To Me?

Before you continue reading on, do you fall under one of these groups?

• Businesses, including co-operatives
• Not-for-profit organizations and community economic development partners
• Incorporated businesses, primarily small-and-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
• Not-for-profit incorporated organizations (including tourism associations and destination marketing organizations)
• A municipality, municipal organizations, Crown corporations, and related parties
• Indigenous/First Nation/Métis Settlement owned business
• Indigenous organization

If so, then yes. This article is for you.

What Is The Jobs And Growth Fund In Western Canada?

Through this fund, a total of $700 million will be invested in Canadian projects that will facilitate job creation over the next three years and beyond to stimulate economic recovery following the COVID-19 crisis.

That $700 million is for all of Canada; however, in the West, Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is specifically investing $217 million.

Who Is Eligible?

For the Jobs and Growth Fund:

You must be one of the two:

1. A business, including co-operatives

OR

2. A not-for-profit organization and community economic development partner

AND :

Have activities that support the transition to a greener economy, like adopting green technology into your own business and supporting other organizations and businesses into transitioning to green energy

Have activities that foster an inclusive recovery, like supporting other businesses owned by underrepresented groups and actively working to make your business more inclusive

Have activities that preserve Canada’s competitiveness and future-proof SMEs through digital adoption, like investing in technologies to create more efficient business solutions, while also increasing resilience in your own business

Have activities that strengthen capacity in sectors critical to Canada’s recovery and growth, like helping develop Canada’s competitive edge in emerging markets and leverage traditional areas of strength in the Canadian market

What Would Make Me Ineligible?

Businesses that are not incorporated and for-profit organizations that do not align with the outlined activities are not eligible for the Jobs and Growth Fund.

How Much Can I Receive?

How much you receive from the Jobs and Growth Fund depends on whether you are a business (including co-operatives) or a not-for-profit organization/community economic development partner.

According to the government of Canada website:

Eligible businesses could receive interest-free repayable contributions for up to 50% of eligible costs.

Eligible not-for-profit organizations could receive non-repayable contributions for up to 90%of eligible costs.

It’s essential to note… eligible costs are deemed on a case-by-case basis.

What’s The Application Process Like?

Both will ask for details on:

• Organization information such as an incorporation number
• Project information and why this project falls under the particular fund
• Project timelines for the proposed project specifically
• Cash flows such as total fiscal expenditures
• Current WD funding and non-WD funding
• Total expenditures, total WD funding requested, and total non-WD funding
• Funding partners, aka all potential project contributors that will provide funding as a monetary contribution or in-kind contribution
• Benefits such as jobs created and other entities supported
• Timelines such as milestones and completion dates

It’s crucial to have all this information ready and confirmed before applying.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to shoot us a message.

Good Luck!

Also check out the range of solar system installation services that we offer to all of Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan.

Quick Case Study Of Our Client – Fernie Fox Hotel

Does This Article Pertain To Me?

• Businesses, including co-operatives
• Not-for-profit organizations and community economic development partners
• Incorporated businesses, primarily small-and-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
• Not-for-profit incorporated organizations (including tourism associations and destination marketing organizations)
• A municipality, municipal organizations, Crown corporations and related parties
• Indigenous/First Nation/Métis Settlement owned business
• Indigenous organization

What Is The Tourism Relief Fund?

Product Development

Destination Development

Who Is Eligible?

How Good Is My Eligibility?

• supports the Indigenous tourism sector
• the business/organization is of strategic importance to the tourism sector in the region
• contributes to the economic development of a region
• contributes to job creation in the region
• takes place in a tourism-dependent community/region, including projects supporting downtown cores

What Would Make Me Ineligible?

How Much Can I Receive?

• non-repayable contributions up to 50% of eligible costs to a maximum of $100,000
• repayable contributions up to 75% of eligible costs to a maximum of $500,000

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