Solar Resource: Solar Grants and Incentives in Alberta for 2023

At Solar Resource, we are dedicated to promoting renewable energy solutions and helping individuals and businesses in Alberta transition to solar power. Alberta offers a range of grants and incentives to encourage the adoption of solar energy systems. In this article, we will highlight some of the programs available in Alberta and their municipalities for 2023.

Canada Federal Rebates

Greener Homes Grant Program

The Greener Homes Program is a federally-run initiative aimed at promoting sustainable living through solar energy adoption. Eligible participants can receive up to $5,000 in funding, with a generous rate of $1/watt for solar installation costs. This financial assistance makes transitioning to solar power more affordable and accessible.

To qualify for the Greener Homes Program, participants must undergo an Energuide Audit prior to installation. The good news is that there is a grant available to cover the audit expenses, amounting to $600. This ensures that homeowners have a comprehensive understanding of their energy consumption and can make informed decisions about their solar installation.

Canada Greener Homes Loan

Canadians are blessed to have an interest free loan product for installing solar panels. The Canada Greener Homes Loan helps Canadians make their homes more energy-efficient and comfortable. It offers interest-free financing however there are elibility requirements such as being a Canadian homeowner, good credit history, having completed a pre-retrofit evaluation, and more listed in the link above. There is is a vetting process by the government to ensure financial capacity to repay the loan.

Loan details

Maximum: $40,000
Minimum: $5,000
Repayment term: 10 years, interest-free
Loan type: Unsecured personal loan on approved credit

Determining Your Eligible Loan Amount for Energy Retrofits

The maximum loan amount you are eligible for is calculated based on the retrofits chosen in your application and the corresponding quotes. However, please note that the eligible amount is subject to industry standards and market norms, and may be capped. It’s possible that the maximum eligible loan amount could be lower than your quoted cost. In such cases, you will be responsible for covering the difference in funding.

Each eligible property and homeowner is entitled to a maximum of one loan.

The loan is specifically intended to finance eligible products and installations recommended by an energy advisor and eligible for the grant. These include retrofits aimed at improving energy efficiency.

To facilitate the work in your home, a portion of the loan can be provided upfront. This is particularly helpful as contractors often require a down payment for these types of projects. The remaining balance of the loan will be disbursed upon successful completion of the retrofits and verification through a post-retrofit evaluation.

Loan program is designed to assist you in achieving your energy efficiency goals.

Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP)

Applications for CEIP 2023 are currently closed. However, keep an eye out for future openings and stay informed about upcoming grants and incentives to maximize your solar energy potential.

The Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP) was a financing option for homeowners who wish to harness the power of solar energy. This program offers competitive interest rates and repayment terms that extend up to 25 years. The remarkable aspect of the CEIP is that it allows homeowners to repay the solar installation costs through their property tax bill.

What sets the CEIP apart from traditional loans is that it is tied to the property rather than the owner. This means that if you decide to sell your property, the responsibility of paying off the solar system is seamlessly transferred to the new owner. It ensures that the benefits of solar power remain with the property, providing a long-term investment in renewable energy.

Residential Solar Program

Back in 2016 Alberta launched The Alberta Municipal Solar Program however since available funding is fully allocated and no new applications are no longer being accepted.

However various Albertan municipalities offer their own unique solar programs.

City of Edmonton

The City of Edmonton is committed to fostering energy efficiency, sustainability, and environmental stewardship. Through various programs and grants, they empower building owners, operators, and community organizations to make significant strides towards a greener future. Let’s explore three key initiatives:

Building Energy Benchmarking Program

Program designed to enhance building energy efficiency by providing owners with valuable information about their properties. By participating in this program, building owners gain insights into their energy consumption patterns and receive guidance on how to reduce energy usage.

This program plays a crucial role in driving energy savings and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. By empowering building owners and operators with knowledge, the City of Edmonton aims to encourage sustainable practices and support the ongoing effort to combat climate change. Visit the Benchmark Program site.

Building Energy Retrofit Accelerator (BERA) Program

The Building Energy Retrofit Accelerator (BERA) Program serves as a catalyst for energy-efficient renovations in commercial and institutional buildings. It offers rebates to building owners who undertake upgrades aimed at improving energy efficiency.

Eligible upgrades include enhancements to HVAC systems, windows, lighting fixtures, building envelopes, and even the addition of solar PV systems. Building owners can receive rebates of up to $125,000 per building, per year, making these upgrades more financially viable. The BERA Program contributes to substantial energy savings and environmental benefits.

Ecocity Edmonton Grants

Ecocity Edmonton Grants are specifically designed to support collaborative efforts and initiatives that drive positive environmental change within the community. These grants are available to non-profit organizations, community leagues, schools, and charities that are actively engaged in projects or programs focused on environmental sustainability.

By providing financial support, the Ecocity Edmonton Grants empower local organizations to implement innovative solutions, educate the community, and create a lasting impact on the environment. These grants foster a sense of shared responsibility and encourage collective action towards building a more sustainable and resilient city.

City of Lethbridge

Homeowners in the SunRidge development and neighborhood of Lethbridge can get up to $3,500 in rebates for houses that meet environmental performance targets.

“For houses that meet the “gold” standard for environmental achievement, homeowners will receive a rebate of $3,500. For houses that meet the “silver” standard for environmental achievement, homeowners will receive a rebate of $2,500. Environmental standards are based on the EnerGuide rating for houses, which takes into consideration energy efficiency and energy consumption in the home.”

To learn more and redeem this rebate contact the City of Lethbridge Real Estate and Land Development Department at 910-4th Avenue, South, Lethbridge, Alberta, or call 403-320-3905.

City of Medicine Hat

Residents of Medicine Hat are lucky their government continues to pass continued funding for energy reduction. According to the medicinehat.ca:

Under the Existing Homes incentive, HAT Smart will rebate up to $5,000 for combined eligible retrofits including home insulation, windows, doors, tankless water heaters or heat- and energy-recovery ventilators (HRV or ERV).
The New Homes incentive encourages construction of more energy efficient homes. Reducing a home’s energy consumption by just 10 gigajoules per year can reduce lifetime energy costs by about $3,000. This incentive will rebate up to $10,000 based on the level of energy savings achieved.
Residents considering adding Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems can find rebates within the Existing Homes incentive.
Energy-efficient upgrades recommended by an EnerGuide home evaluation can save from five per cent to 30 per cent on energy bills. Reducing residential energy usage is beneficial for both residents and the environment. HAT Smart will rebate up to $200 directly to the energy advisor who completes the evaluation, passing savings onto customers in Medicine Hat.

https://www.medicinehat.ca/en/news/hat-smart-launches-2023-residential-incentive-program.aspx

Visit www.hatsmart.ca or call 403-529-8249 for full program details, including information on how to apply for rebates, and to stay up to date on the current level of funding. Applications must be submitted online, unless other arrangements are made through the HAT Smart office. To get help with this contact our Alberta solar concierge.

Town of Banff

Banff Solar Rebate: Powering Renewable Energy

The Town of Banff is committed to promoting renewable energy solutions and encouraging property owners to embrace solar power. Through the Solar Incentive Program, the Town provides financial incentives for the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems that generate renewable electricity.

Funded by the environmental reserve, which is generated through a franchise fee paid by the electrical utility, the program supports the adoption of solar energy and contributes to a sustainable future.

The Town of Banff is currently accepting applications for solar PV rebates from both residential and commercial customers. To apply, interested participants are required to submit a Development Permit application, following the guidelines provided. Prior to submission, it is advisable to contact the Town for a preliminary review of the project.

Contact our solar concierge to have them help you apply for permit application.

How Does the Program Work?

The Banff Solar PV Program operates as a post-install rebate initiative, with funding based on the installed solar system’s size. Eligible participants install solar PV systems on their residential or commercial properties and receive a financial rebate from the Town based on the system’s capacity. The rebate amount is set at $750 per kilowatt (kW) of solar capacity installed, with a maximum rebate of 20 kW.

Eligibility

The Solar Rebate program is available for both residential and commercial properties in Banff. Each individual property is limited to one application to ensure fair distribution of rebates.

Residential Rebates

The town offers a variety of additional residential rebates to encourage an energy efficient way of life. From Energy Star certified Refrigerators, washers, window replacements, E-Bikes, to rain barrels, to ice spikes, it’s very inspiring to see how creative this mountain town is.

Commercial Rebates

Businesses can take advantage of rebates and incentives offered by the Town to Banff to improve the environmental efficiency of commercial properties. From Dual flush toilets, Energy Star certified appliances, and even E-Bikes. To qualify for certain rebates, it is essential for specific products to possess energy efficiency certifications from either the Energy Star or CEE program.

Provincial Incentives

Alberta had a fund going for commercial incentives but was exhausted as of April 1, 2023. They are still accepting applications for waitlist until September 30, 2023. This is yet another reminder that all of these programs don’t always last forever, and you should take advantage of what is available now. This is what was available last year.

The Emissions Reduction Alberta program includes a variety of programs from energy savings to expanded technologies pilot.

ESB will give businesses fast access to incentives for cost-effective efficiency measures:

• • Up to $250,000 is available per project
  • Up to $1 million per parent company is available to cover the cost of products and services.
  • Minimum incentive amount of $500 *NEW

Agricultural carbon offsets

This is a program that offers carbon offset payments for small scale solar and wind power generators. From the website alberta.ca

Carbon offsets from the Micro-Generation (Distributed Renewable Energy Generation) Protocol are a possibility for small scale solar and wind power production. The potential return being around a cent per kWh at current carbon prices.

Under the Electric Utilities Act, the Micro-generation Regulation allows Albertans to meet their own electricity needs by generating electricity from renewable or alternative energy sources.

The regulation encourages small solar or wind power generation that feeds back into the electrical grid. As of April 2021, there were over 6000 micro-generation installations across the province.

With a carbon offset protocol approved in 2013, this activity has the possibility of generating additional income through carbon offsets. The main source of income from micro-generation however, is the energy generated. This is credited on the bill, minus the delivery charges, etc. At present there is no federal/provincial/municipal subsidy (feed-in tariff) for micro-generation in Alberta.

For businesses, the tax write-off on solar equipment is accelerated, up to 50% Capital Cost Allowance per year. See: Income Tax Folio S3-F8-C2, Tax Incentives for Clean Energy Equipment.

https://www.alberta.ca/agricultural-carbon-offsets-micro-generation-protocol.aspx

Alberta Municipal Solar Program

Unfortunately the program is no longer accepting applications as funding has been fully allocated.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQ_O88NCVms

Questions? Speak with a solar concierge.