Solar Incentives in Alberta: What to Know About Solar Rebates

Picture yourself in the driver's seat of your energy bills, taking control with the power of the sun. Alberta offers several solar incentives to help residents, communities, and businesses switch to solar energy. Whether you're moving to Edmonton or starting a business in Calgary, there are a number of programs that seek to improve the province-wide environmental footprint and increase renewable energy usage.

Alberta Municipal Solar Program

The Alberta Municipal Solar Program provides solar incentives to communities across Alberta to help them save on electricity costs and invest in renewable energy. Municipalities can demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and social responsibility by installing solar PV systems, which generate free power when the sun shines. 

Villages such as Carmangay, Parkdale Community League, Big Lakes County, and the City of Airdrie all benefit from the program. However, the program is not currently accepting new applications, and funding is already allocated to projects with complete application packages. 

The Municipal Climate Change Action Centre is still open and offers other programs, such as the Alberta Funding Guide, which provides information on other funding opportunities.

Edmonton

If you're in Alberta's capital city, you can access two great solar incentive programs—both of which bolster renewable energy and the Edmonton economy. The Edmonton Solar Rebate Program and the Edmonton Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP) are designed to help you get the most out of your solar energy investment.

Edmonton Solar Rebate Program

You can save on solar installation costs with the Edmonton Solar Rebate Program. This rebate can be combined with the Canada Greener Homes Grant. Newly constructed homes can qualify for additional savings. 

With an average of 2,300 hours of sunshine each year, residents can use solar energy to power their Edmonton homes and reduce their carbon footprint. This means less electricity consumption and fewer greenhouse gas emissions—you can save money and help the environment at the same time.

Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP)

Another option to save money and reduce your carbon footprint is the Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP). The program offers competitive interest rates and repayment terms of up to 20 years for commercial property owners, contingent on the type of upgrade. It's similar to Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) initiatives in other Canadian cities. 

The City of Edmonton conducted public engagement sessions to refine the program and secured a $9.6 million grant through the Green Municipal Fund (GMF) to launch the program. With CEIP, you can make energy-efficient upgrades to your commercial property and benefit from long-term savings.

Calgary

You may be familiar with the solar incentives available in Edmonton's best suburbs and neighbourhoods, but did you know that Calgary also has solar incentives? Through the Calgary Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP), residents of Calgary are eligible to receive funding for solar energy installations.

With the CEIP, you can access competitive interest rates and simplify repayment by incorporating it into your property's regular tax bill. It's a pioneering financing solution for Alberta property owners, allowing them to finance their entire energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. 

Unfortunately, intake rounds often reach capacity, but the program will reopen with 150 pre-qualification applications available. Prepare now to take advantage of this opportunity and make your property greener.

Medicine Hat

Medicine Hat has its own program called HAT Smart, which offers a Solar Electric Incentive Program. So, don't forget to check out what solar incentives Medicine Hat has to offer.

Solar Electric Incentive Program

Medicine Hat residents can take advantage of the Solar Electric Incentive Program to receive rebates for installing residential solar PV systems. A qualified installer must design and install all system components, which must carry CSA or ULC approval for installation in Canada. With the Solar Electric Incentive Program, Albertans can save money while going green.

HAT Smart

If you're looking to make further energy-efficient improvements to your home, you should take a look at HAT Smart. This program provides incentives to help property owners and builders save both money and energy. It's designed to make the process of improving your home with eco-friendly features easy.

Residents of the City of Medicine Hat have access to residential rebates. These rebates vary from year to year as new technologies and funding sources become available. Each January, HAT Smart releases details for the incentives available that year.

Lethbridge

If you're looking for another Alberta city with great solar incentives, head to Lethbridge. The city provides a great example of how sustainable technology is impacting the construction industry. Homeowners can take advantage of the SunRidge Built Green Homeowner Rebate and start saving on their energy bills. 

The City of Lethbridge is offering homeowners in the SunRidge area, the first entirely green neighbourhood, a rebate for maximizing the energy efficiency of their homes. This is part of Built Green®, an industry-driven voluntary program that promotes "green" building practices to reduce the environmental impact of building. Don't miss out on this great opportunity to save money while helping the environment.

Federal Solar Incentives

If you're considering solar energy for your home, you should know about federal solar incentives. These include the Greener Homes Grant, the Greener Homes Loan, and net metering, all of which can help you get the most out of your solar investment.

The Greener Homes Grant

The Greener Homes Grant can help you offset the cost of solar panel installation with grant money. To be eligible, you'll need to have an energy assessment of your property done and collaborate with a registered energy advisor. These advisors will recommend the energy-efficient upgrades best suited for your home. Grants are only a portion of the total cost, with the remainder covered by the Greener Homes Loan. 

The Greener Homes Loan

Save on solar panel installation with the Greener Homes Loan, which offers interest-free loans to eligible homeowners. The loan can cover part of the costs of an energy-efficient home upgrade package, which may include solar panels. To qualify, you need to get an energy assessment and collaborate with a registered energy advisor. 

Plus, the loan comes with 0% interest and can be paid back for up to 10 years. So, you can spread the cost of your solar panel installation and other worthwhile energy-efficient upgrades over time. Take advantage of the Greener Homes Loan and save on energy costs today.

Net Metering

Gain energy independence and cost savings with net metering. Net metering allows you to generate your own electricity using solar panels and maintain a connection to the grid. This provides countless benefits, from reduced energy bills to increased sustainability. 

You can even earn credits for surplus energy, which you can use to offset grid-supplied energy costs. With net metering, you can be sure you're being energy-efficient and taking advantage of all the benefits of renewable energy. 

Plus, you're helping to stabilize the grid and reduce the need for additional power plants and infrastructure. Net metering is a win-win for everyone involved.

Reap the Rewards of Solar Power

In Alberta, the true value of residential solar panels extends far beyond the reduced energy costs thanks to the municipal and federal incentives available. From Edmonton to Medicine Hat, Calgary to Lethbridge, the local and federal solar incentives make it easier than ever to reap the rewards of solar power. With solar energy, Alberta is committing to cleaner, more efficient energy sources.