Alberta

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 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

Alberta Municipal Solar Program (AMSP - MCCAC)

Installing a solar PV system will:

• Create jobs and help your local economy,
• Generate free power any time the sun is shining for your system’s entire 25+ year life,
• Demonstrate your municipality’s commitment to sustainability and social responsibility,

By investing in a solar PV system now, you can begin to see immediate savings on your electricity bills and reinvest those savings into other priorities across your municipality. Even if you don’t produce 100 percent of the energy you consume, solar reduces your utility bills and can save you money.

Municipalities in Alberta can submit multiple applications, but each municipality can only apply for rebates up to $1.5 million, including any bonuses.

Receive a rebate per watt of total installed capacity ($/W), up to 30% of eligible expenses, as per the table below.

Solar For Schools Program (SFSP - MCCAC)

Installing a solar PV system will:

• Generate free power for the solar system’s entire 25+ year life,
• Reduce your utility bills so you can reinvest those savings into other priorities across your schools,
• Provide a practical learning experience about renewable energy and climate change for students,
• Demonstrate your school authority’s commitment to sustainability and social responsibility.

Eligible School Authorities can submit multiple applications, but can only apply for funding up to $3 million. School Authorities can use up to $1.5 million towards new school construction projects.

School Authorities must engage students as part of the project.

Receive a rebate per watt of total installed capacity ($/W), up to 50% of eligible expenses, as per the table below.

City of Edmonton Change Homes for Climate - Solar Program

Effective March 30, 2020, changes to the Terms and Conditions of the Change Homes for Climate Solar Program go into effect. These changes extend the deadlines for completion of projects and were made in response to project delays that may be, and are being, experienced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

For applications that have received Part 1 approval on or before March 31, 2020, the project on the Residential Property must be energized and interconnected, and all supporting information required under section 5.2 must be submitted by September 31, 2020.

For applications that have received Part 1 approval after March 31, 2020, the project on the Residential Property must be energized and interconnected, and all supporting information required under section 5.2 must be submitted within 9 months of the Part I approval date.

The City is offering Edmontonians $0.40/watt towards the cost of the system, which is roughly 15% of the cost of going solar!

Generating local renewable energy is one of the most impactful ways of taking action on climate change.

With 2,300 hours of sun in an average year, Edmonton is one of the sunniest cities in Canada. Solar panels can supply anywhere from a few percent up to 100% of your electricity, and while electricity only accounts for 16% of the energy used in Edmonton, it produces around 40% of the Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

City of Medicine Hat - HAT Smart - Solar Electric Rebate

Medicine Hat enjoys 330 days of sun each year. That's an annual photovoltaic (PV) potential of 1,367 kWh/kW. Our community is a great location to install rooftop solar PV systems.

Rebate Amount

$1.00 per watt to a maximum of $6,000

Please note that solar PV system size refers to cumulative project size in nominal Direct Current (DC) watts.

If your solar PV system is planned with a DC capacity that exceeds 150% of the inverter AC capacity, a written rational is required. HAT Smart reserves the right to fund only the installed capacity (KW DC) up to 150% of the inverter capacity (KW AC) at their sole discretion.

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.