More Solar Rebates in Alberta

Published on November 20, 2018

Since 2015, Alberta has seen a large increase in demand for solar energy, with the green energy industry seeing a 500 percent growth.

In response to the increasing demand, the province will be investing more towards solar energy programs, and it is increasing solar energy rebates for homeowners and non-profit organizations.

The provincial government is set to increase funding to programs run by Energy Efficiency Alberta and the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre.

The province’s carbon tax provides the funding for Energy Efficiency Alberta, and the raises to the solar rebate programs total a 15 percent increase in money returned to homeowners who install solar panels, and a 25 percent increase for non-profit organizations who do the same.

This means that Albertan homeowners can now receive up to a 35 percent reduction in the cost of installing solar panels - with the maximum rebate set at $10 000

Similarly for non-profit organizations, they can also receive up to a 35 percent reduction in solar panel installation costs, with the maximum rebate set at $1 million.

Rebates are calculated based on the size of the solar power installation, and are returned at rates of $0.90 per watt in residential homes, $0.75 per watt for commercial uses, and $1 per watt for non-profit organizations.

By 2019, the government expects greenhouse gas emissions to be reduced by 500 000 tonnes a year as a result of Energy Efficiency Alberta’s new programs. This amounts to the same amount of greenhouse gas emissions that is produced from 70 000 cars every year.  

With 3100 solar installations completed since 2015, the solar industry has grown nearly 500 percent in that time. As more Albertans continue to install solar power with the help of Energy Efficiency Alberta’s incentives, the province predicts that those who participate will collectively save $92 million on energy bills over the lifetime of the province’s programs.

Gordan Howell, an electrical engineer with a specialization in solar energy, has said that the increase in demand for solar power is evident, and that government leadership should be credited in part for its increase.

“The industry is becoming better developed, they’re becoming more efficient in how they install the systems and the price is coming down absolutely remarkably,” said Howell.

Rebates in Ontario

Although there are currently no rebates in Ontario that are specific to installing solar power, there are a number of rebates for home renovation and energy efficiency improvement that are available for both Enbridge and Union Gas customers. By having our Registered Energy Advisors conduct a Home Energy Assessment, you can help your home qualify for these rebates, and you will also receive a list of suggestions that you may wish to consider in order to improve your home’s efficiency.  

Our advisors are able to present these suggestions to you in order of what renovation or retrofit would provide your home with the biggest increase in efficiency per dollar spent.

Homeowners in Toronto are also able to apply for the Home Energy Loan Program (HELP), which offers low interest loans of up to $75 00, which homeowners can use to improve their home’s energy efficiency.