Alberta Solar Micro-Generation

The Alberta Micro Generation Regulation, which simplifies the grid connection process for micro-generators, came into effect on January 1, 2009. The regulation allows offsetting the site energy consumption with the energy generated on site. A bi-directional meter measures both imported and exported energy. Energy retailer nets out the imported and exported energy and bills or issues a credit according to the total net, so called net-billing.

It is important to note that the amount of energy generated “is intended to meet all or a portion of the customer’s electricity needs.” If the purpose of the electrical generation is for profit, then it can be connected to the grid using a different distributed generator interconnection process as regulated by the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) Rule 007.

Dandelion Renewables manages all aspects of the micro-generation application process.

Alberta Residential and Commercial Program

The Residential and Commercial Solar Program provides homeowners, businesses and non-profit organizations with rebates for installing grid-tied Alberta solar PV systems. The rebate provided is calculated as follows:

  • Residential Solar Rebate: $0.75/Watt for systems up to 15kW (The rebate will cover the lesser of $10,000 or 30% of the total installed system cost).
  • Commercial Solar Rebate: $0.75/Watt for systems up to 5MW (The rebate will cover the lesser of $500,000 or 25% of the total installed system cost).

To qualify for this program, the following requirements must be met:

  • Signed interconnection agreement from Wire Service Provider by April 15, 2017 or later
  • Solar system must be connected to the power grid following Alberta’s Micro-Generation Regulation (AR27/2008)
  • System cannot be eligible for the Alberta Municipal Solar Program, the Indigenous Solar Program, Growing Forward On-Farm Solar Photovoltaics Program, or any other provincial program that provides Alberta solar PV system funding
  • Must not have already received any incentives for a solar system on the same property under any Alberta solar funding program
  • Combined government incentives may not exceed 100% of total installed system cost
  • Customer must own the property
  • System design and installation must be performed by a qualified solar installer and the systems components must meet Canadian Standards Association (CSA) requirements

Growing Forward 2 – On-Farm Solar Management Program

The Growing Forward solar program provides farms with rebates for installing grid-tied solar PV systems. The rebate provided is calculated as follows:

  • Solar PV systems ≤100 kW: $0.75/Watt (The rebate will cover a maximum of 35% of the total installed cost of the system).
  • Solar PV systems between 100 kW and 150 kW: $0.56/Watt (The rebate will cover a maximum of 27% of the total installed cost of the system).

To qualify for this program, the following requirements must be met:

  • The project must not have already been initiated prior to the approval of the application
  • The customer must possess an Electrical Distribution Rate Class rate as Farm, Irrigation, Grain Drying or equivalent

Alberta Municipal Solar Program

The Alberta Municipal Solar Program provides municipalities and non-profit community-related organizations with rebates for installing grid-tied Alberta solar PV systems. The rebate provided is calculated as follows:

  • Solar PV Systems 2 kW or greater and less than 10 kW: $0.90/Watt (The rebate will cover a maximum of 25% of the total installed cost of the system).
  • Solar PV Systems 10 kW or greater and less than 150 kW: $0.75/Watt (The rebate will cover a maximum of 25% of the total installed cost of the system).
  • Solar PV Systems 150 kW or greater and less than 2 MW: $0.60/Watt (The rebate will cover a maximum of 25% of the total installed cost of the system).
  • Solar PV Systems 2 MW or greater, up to 5 MW: $0.55/Watt (The rebate will cover a maximum of 25% of the total installed cost of the system).

To qualify for this program, the following requirements must be met:

  • The project must comply with the Alberta Micro-generation Regulation 27/2008
  • The Alberta solar PV system capacity must be greater than or equal to 2 kW
  • The municipality must meet the definition of “municipality” as per Section 1(s) of the Municipal Government Act

Alberta Indigenous Solar Program

The Alberta Indigenous Solar Program provides Alberta Indigenous communities or organizations with rebates for installing grid-tied solar PV systems. The rebate provided covers 80% of the total installed cost to a maximum of $200,000 per project. Applicants are eligible to access other non-Government of Alberta funded programs to cover the remaining 20% of the projects costs. To qualify for this program, the following requirements must be met:

  • Solar PV system must have a capacity of 2 kW or greater, up to 1 MW
  • The system cost must be under $3.25/Watt

Federal CCA Class 43.2

Faster tax depreciation of the capital expenses under CCA Class 43.2 is limited to the net income generated by renewable system. It applies to renewable generation that is built for profit or to offset business operating costs.