Environmental

Edmonton Solar-Electric Pilot Program

The City of Edmonton is making it easier for residents and business owners to install solar-electric systems. This short-term pilot program will offer a limited number of rebates for home and business owners interested in installing solar electricity generation capacity for their home or business.

This pilot project will be funded with a total budget of $200,000 and its residential and commercial components will each receive $100,000.

If solar energy is part of your overall plans to green up your home or commercial property, this program could be for you.

The residential portion of the Solar Electricity Pilot Program is fully subscribed. No further applications can be accepted.

The commercial portion of the Solar Electric Pilot Program is now fully subscribed. No further applications can be accepted.

About Solar Energy

Solar electricity is emerging as one of the most popular forms of renewable energy. Solar-electric systems using the photovoltaic (PV) process convert the sun's energy directly into electricity. There are no moving parts in solar PV modules. A well-designed and installed system will deliver energy reliably for many years.

Solar-electric systems are modular and can be expanded over time if designed with this in mind. Most grid-connected solar PV systems do not need a battery bank because EPCOR Distribution and Transmission reliably delivers electrical energy.

If electrical outages are a concern then a battery bank is required, though it adds to costs, inefficiency, maintenance, training requirements, and safety hazards to the PV system.

Building mounted solar-electric systems reduce all forms of electricity generation emissions as well as environmental degradation: greenhouse gasses, air, water, soil, land, and habitat.

Solar energy is the cleanest, most abundant and most powerful renewable energy source available. Today's solar technologies provide several ways to provide heat and generate electricity from the sun.

Energy Efficiency for your Home or Business

The installation of solar-electric systems is one of many ways homeowners can improve energy use and reduce their environmental footprint.

Important initial steps towards improved energy efficiency are: reducing air leakage with caulking and weather stripping, adding more insulation, upgrading to high-efficiency windows, installing energy efficient lighting, replacing an inefficient furnace, and installing Energy Star® rated appliances.

Typically, these measures have a much better return on investment than solar-electric systems.

It is best to ensure your house is as energy-efficient as possible. The Province of Alberta provides rebates for some of these energy-efficiency measures. See http://www.climatechangecentral.com/ For tips on improving home energy efficiency watch this video.

Program Summary

• A significant portion of the installed cost of the solar-electric systems will be covered by the program.
• Applications are evaluated on a first-come-first served basis.
• Rebates will be processed and paid out only after installation of the solar-electric system and receipt of required documentation.
• All solar electric systems funded under this program will be subject to a follow-up review. Participants will be surveyed to establish their satisfaction with their system.

Minimum System Requirements

Program Descriptions and Application Process

Residential Solar-Electric Program The residential portion of the Solar Electricity Pilot Program is now fully subscribed. No further applications are being accepted.

Commercial Solar-Electric Program

Additional Information Sources

Carbon Dioxide Reduction Edmonton (CO2RE)

Light It Right

Solar Energy Society of Alberta

Canadian Solar Industry Association

Scan/email application forms to solar@edmonton.ca or fax to 780-495-0612.