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Renewable energy systems make use of innovative technologies to collect, generate, store and use energy from non-depleting alternative sources such as wind, solar or geothermal.
Permits are required to install systems such as Solar Photovoltaic (PV), Solar Thermal or a GeoExchange system. Application review and approval by the City is required.
This is a system that converts sunlight into electricity. Photovoltaic solar panels are mounted on a framing system or flush with the surface of the building (either the roof or an exterior wall surface as allowed under the Land Use Bylaw) to capture sunlight.
The panels are wired to the home's electrical panel and may supply all or a portion of the total electricity consumption. The surplus electricity may be stored in a battery array for future use, or be fed back into the grid.
These systems are also called micro-generation systems and are governed under the micro-generation regulations by the Government of Alberta, which allow Albertans to generate their own environmentally-friendly electricity and receive credit for any power they send into the electricity grid. In Edmonton, compliance with this regulation requires an application with EPCOR.
Review and approval from the City’s Development, Electrical, and Building Safety sections is required.
Solar Thermal systems capture solar energy through collectors on the exterior of the building to heat air or water for use in the mechanical equipment of a building. An example would be using solar energy to heat domestic hot water for use in plumbing fixtures instead of using natural gas or electricity. Solar energy may be transmitted directly to the heat transfer medium (direct system) or through a heat exchanger (indirect system).
Review and approval from the City’s Development, Mechanical, Electrical, and Building Safety sections is required.
A GeoExchange System, or geothermal system, is a closed loop network of piping in the ground which circulates fluid allowing for heat transfer between a building HVAC system and the earth. A GeoExchange system can improve the energy efficiency of building heating and cooling systems through the use of a heat pump which can be more efficient than heating and cooling equipment in traditional HVAC systems.
A GeoExchange system itself does not require a development permit if it meets the exemptions of Edmonton Zoning Bylaw Section 12. An applicant is, however, obligated to conform with all other legislation (eg. Municipal Government Act), bylaws (eg. Safety Codes Permit Bylaw), land title instruments (eg. caveats, covenants, or easements attached to the site as noted in Zoning Bylaw Section 5.2), and any requirements for projects within the River Valley and Ravine System (Zoning Bylaw Section 14.1).
Review and approval from the Mechanical, Electrical, and Building Safety sections is required.
See Standata, for discussion of rodent protection recommendations.
2022 Fees-Effective January 1, 2021
Development fees are found in .
The shows fees associated with various permit types.
Step 1: Apply for permits for a PV system installation under the appropriate permit type, ensuring inclusion of PV in the description of proposed work when prompted:
An electrical permit application must be included as part of any of these applications. It is not to be applied for separately; no fee refunds will be made if a stand-alone trade permit is applied for when trade permits should be included as part of the building permit project. Each bi-directional meter requires an electrical permit.
Step 2: Follow the EPCOR micro-generation process, which includes submission of a Generation Project Notice to EPCOR at distgen@epcor.com EPCOR will prepare an Interconnection Agreement for system-owner signature.
Step 3: Begin work on the system only after the Interconnection Agreement is returned to EPCOR and all required permits are issued by the City of Edmonton.
Step 4: Request final/service inspection by the City of Edmonton for each permit issued for each bi-directional meter.
Step 5: Forward the successful electrical inspection report in PDF format to EPCOR at distgen@epcor.com to arrange bi-directional meter installation by EPCOR.
Step 1: Apply for permits for a solar thermal system installation under the appropriate permit type, ensuring inclusion of solar thermal in the description of proposed work when prompted:
An HVAC permit, a plumbing permit, and an electrical permit application must be included as part of any of these applications. They are not to be applied for separately; no fee refunds will be made if a stand-alone trade permit is applied for when trade permits should be included as part of the building permit project.
Step 2: Begin work on the system only after the City of Edmonton has issued the required permits following satisfactory review of the application.
Step 3: Request final inspections by the City of Edmonton for each permit issued.
Step 1: Apply for permits for a GeoExchange system installation under the appropriate permit type, ensuring inclusion of GeoExchange in the description of proposed work when prompted:
An HVAC permit, a plumbing permit, and an electrical permit application must be included as part of any of these applications. They are not to be applied for separately; no fee refunds will be made if a stand-alone trade permit is applied for when trade permits should be applied for as part of the building permit project.
Step 2: Begin work on the system only after the City of Edmonton has issued the required permits following satisfactory review of the application.
Step 3: Request final inspections by the City of Edmonton for each permit issued.
City staff will review your application to ensure your project complies with the City of Edmonton Zoning Bylaw and applicable Safety Codes.
Application processing times vary. See up-to-date processing times for building permits and inspections.
City staff may request additional information at various stages of the Development Permit and Building Permit process. To learn how to reply to a more information request in selfserve.edmonton.ca, see the More Information Requested (MIR) Guide.
To make changes:
Additional charges may apply for revisions.
To cancel your application, email the Cancellation/Refund Request form to the person who is handling your application.
The permit holder must request inspections online at selfserve.edmonton.ca.
To learn more, visit Safety Codes Inspection Services.
Edmonton residential solar PV rebate program Change Homes for Climate
EPCOR: Generating Your Own Energy
Visit the Solar Alberta for technical information, examples of installed systems and details on solar energy providers.
| Telephone | In Edmonton: 311 Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311 |
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