The scope of solar energy in Alberta has been proliferating at a perennially increasing rate over the past couple of years. In a gist of the entire passage’s underlying message, Solar Resource facilitates compelling arguments toward the theme of the passage with figures garnered below. As per the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) more than 3600 Alberta commercial and residential settings installed solar panels in 2022.

Brief Overview of Alberta’s Environment 

Alberta, a province in the cool temperate zone, receives such sunlight exposure that can be correlated with its dry, clear air. According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, Alberta leads the country in sunshine with more than 2400 hours of sunlight annually. The region sits in what is called a “rain shadow” due to which by the time air settles on Alberta, it is enervated with moisture making room for sunshine to befall the region. Fast-moving storms also give Alberta the clear, blue skies that they are known for. Finally, convective thunderstorms that happen in a region after relatively sunny days are proof of the sunny atmosphere’s reliability.

On the technological front, solar photovoltaic systems also incorporate a tilt in their position with respect to the roof’s position for varying degrees to maximize the solar absorption capacity; a tilt in the photovoltaic panel relevant to the latitude of a relevant location is often best for maximizing output in high latitudes such as Alberta. Therefore, varying degrees of adjustment are requisite for the installation of solar energy in Alberta. 

Challenges of Solar In Alberta

As with any other technology across the globe, one cannot simply turn a blind eye to the challenges and solutions when switching to solar panels. Of these, the season of winter that impacts solar electric panels in Alberta is underlined as the topmost obstacle. Here are some strategies to help combat these obstacles: 

• Optimize Panel Angle Placement: Make sure that your solar panels are angled precisely to capture the optimal sunlight throughout the shorter daylight hours of winter.
• Be Wary of Shades: Ensure that there are no structures that obstruct the scattered sunlight throughout this season. 
• Orient the Angles of Placement of Solar Photovoltaic Panels: Ensure that your solar panels are angled in such a way so as for them to capture the maximum sunlight throughout the daylight hours of winter. 
• Remove Obstacles such as Shades: Make sure that your solar panels are aligned in such a way that there exist no obstacles to scatter the sunlight towards your panels. 
• Routinized Cleaning: dirt can accumulate on top of snow so as for the efficiency of the solar panels to be alleviated. In a systematic manner, without causing any damage by thorough cleaning, use a gentle stream of water to steer clear of any debris. Avoid the use of sharp tools to do so. 
• Invest in High-Efficiency Panels: Deploy the best solar panel technologies for Alberta’s climate. These are designed to capture more sunlight and outperform in low-light conditions. Though the initial cost of installation of these panels might be higher than other solar panels, the former yield better results during winters. 
• Battery Storage: Install battery storage to store excess energy generated during periods with higher amounts of sunlight. This energy could be used throughout the darker hours enabling a more consistent power supply. 

The Potential of Solar In Alberta 

Irradiance in Alberta

Solar irradiance is the amount of solar energy that reaches a specific area per unit of area. It is one of the most critical factors in underlining the potential capacity for solar panel installations in a region. This is how it influences the capacity for solar panel installation:

• Energy Production Potential: Regions with higher solar irradiance receive more sunlight throughout each day leading to a bright future of solar power. As a result, there begins to exist an increased energy production from solar panels over time. Since solar panels generate energy by converting sunlight to electricity through the photovoltaic effect, more sunlight automatically assumes the role of more energy generation making solar power more economically viable. 
• Efficiency: Solar panels function optimally in areas with higher solar irradiance. This higher level of sunlight means that solar panels can reach their rated capacity more often, producing close to the maximum output.

In conclusion, solar irradiance of a region directly impacts its capacity for solar panel installation by influencing the energy production potential, efficiency, and economic viability. 

Growing Shift From Non-Renewable Resources 

Alberta’s electricity supply mix is accelerating rapidly; this has been underscored by Alberta’s close coal phase-out that states that the competition of renewable and non-renewable resources has been in disproportionate amounts in the past couple of years. 

Alberta’s electricity supply mix is evolving rapidly, underscored by the fact that completion has been disproportionate amounts in the past couple of years.

Alberta’s expanding shift away from non-renewable resources holds immense significance on multiple fronts; as a province that has been historically tied to fossil fuels, this transition will be a hallmark for development towards sustainability, environmental preservation, and energy security. An amalgamation of renewable energy resources will only contribute towards the global efforts in eradicating climate changes as well as positioning Alberta to adapt to the shifts in energy marks and demands. By leveraging solar energy, Alberta can reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, enhance energy interdependence, and establish itself as a paradigm for the responsible resources of management in the face of evolving energy infrastructure.

An Urgency Towards Renewable Energy Resources

Solar energy generation is expanding in no time in Alberta. The urgency towards renewable energy resources highlights the critical need to transition to sustainable energy solutions. With global concerns about climate change intensifying, speed has become paramount. Therefore, the expectations on Alberta to upkeep the elimination of traditional sources of energy whilst transforming to the solar energy techniques abreast in the world of today is the hefty task at hand. 

Benefits of Solar Energy To Alberta 

The benefits of the installation of solar photovoltaic energy in Alberta are countless. These are encompassed in a brief list of reasons as to why solar energy is apt for the region.

Lower Cost of Solar Photovoltaic Energy 

In 2020, as per IAE solar PV has been the cheapest source of electricity in history for projects that incorporated low-cost financing and tapped into high-quality resources. In Alberta, as per Pembina Institute, energy derived from a clean energy source-which includes solar- facilitates a renewable energy portfolio that creates more energy with commensurate capacity and modifiability yet at a lower cost saving. 

This is because the cost assigned to non-renewable resources often dismisses the dimension of external cost-cutting health risks and environmental changes from their recurred use.  A Sunshot study found that increased solar energy use is linked with a decrease in Global Greenhouse Gases, which means lower emissions of particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides in the power sector, leading to cost benefits of these reductions at $160 billion in the form of future health and environmental damages. 

Cost that Residents of Alberta can Save Compared to Other Provinces

Relevant insights into provincial and territorial tax credits for individuals could be figured through resources such as Canada Revenue Agency. Nonetheless, the sizing of your system, physical sizing, and systems cost would place Alberta as a province that is ranked as number 3 province in the country for installing a solar photovoltaic system. Some factors that one would have to pay heed to, nevertheless, are: 

1. Sizing of the system 
2. System cost
3. Solar incentives and tax and rebates 

Independent Electricity Production Due to High Electricity Rates 

Alberta has deregulated electricity in the Canadian market in which its wholesale price vacillates on an hourly basis depending on supply and demand. Since, in this supply and demand curve, the highest demand is throughout the day when employees are indulged in their day-to-day chores, the price for electricity is the highest precisely when solar panels produce the electricity. Nevertheless, there still exists a need for solar producers to receive the full value for the electricity solar panels that they produce.

Canada’s Greener Homes Grant provides loans free of interest as well as an amount of $5000 towards a solar installation. Alberta’s electricity prices have risen over 150% in the last year while fixed rates have doubled. This has made independent energy production much more attractive in terms of finances while being environmentally friendly.

Job Creation

In Alberta, the notion of a transformation has concentrated preliminarily on facilitating workers in the coal, natural gas, and fossil fuels communities; these communities will be affected by the federal government’s plan to phase out all thermal coal facilities by 2030. Nevertheless, if a switch to solar energy is observed in Alberta, these transformation plans would have to include all those who were previously employed in traditional industries. These plans could be laid out as income support, infrastructure investment, educational funding, enhanced employment insurance, and a reverence for the identity of the communities that have been divesting their resources towards non-renewable resources for a long time. 

Abiding by A Climate Change Crisis

Climate Change is inevitably the most preeminent environmental crisis of our time, and shifting to a renewable resource such as solar energy acts as one of the most effective means to address climate change. The International Energy Agency has recognized the criteria to meet net zero greenhouse emissions by 2050 through a prompt transformation away from higher emission sources (coal, oil, and natural gas). This depicts the situation whereby the Alberta state laws would have to ramp up renewable electricity generation. Therefore, a benefit of solar energy installation is a token of reverence for the initiative that Alberta has taken to mitigate the climate crisis.

Government Incentives and Subsidies for Solar Adoption 

Renewable Energy Act 

This act places a limit of 30% of all manufactured electrical energy in the province coming from renewable resources by 2030. The purpose of the Renewable Energy Act is to reduce greenhouse emissions, promote renewable energy generation, ensure sustainable funding, and most of all pave the route for a sustainable future. The entire roadmap of the act is acted upon to reduce greenhouse emissions, economic diversification, and resilience enhancement. 

Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act 

Under this Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, solar power plants with a total nominal capacity not exceeding 1 MW are not liable to environmental assessment while larger solar plants are not either enlisted as mandatory or compulsory. 

Canada Greener Home Grant 

You might want to consider a plethora of eligible retrofits through Canada Greener Home Grant that an energy efficient individual would want to consider. The process is as follows: 

• An NRCAN registered energy supervisor conducts an EnerGuide home evaluation before the retrofits begin. Then, they evaluate your home from its foundation to the attic. They then generate a report that factors in all variables of the energy demands of your house and prioritize retrofits that will be the most essential towards the energy conservation of the house. After the retrofits are completed, they will return to measure the energy efficiency that you have achieved. 
• The building envelope that consists of all components that keep the indoors from the outdoors- exterior walls, windows, and roof- is to be improved. It is marked as the most important task. Then, the mechanical systems- for heating, cooling, and ventilation- ought to be improved upon. Finally, one might consider installing solar panels as a resilience measure. 

In an effort to drive Canadian homes towards green-energy development, Solar Resource offers an interest-free financing option to homeowners for a long-term commitment. In the Canada Greener Home Grant, a loan enables the homeowners to choose the best from the packages that are available to them. Expertise backed by fiscal support allows for a talented rebuild of the setting to flourish. 

• After considering the Canada Greener Home Grant, one ought to undergo the process of completion of a pre-retrofit evaluation. Only the retrofits, including the solar panels, suggested by the eligible retrofits and installation under the program are eligible for the loan. 

Solar Resource brings unfettered opportunities to the table when it comes to energy-efficient retrofits and sponsoring these. According to the needs of the homeowner, one could apply for a minimum loan amount of $5000 and a maximum amount of $40,000 as per the budget. 

Micro-Generation Regulation 

This regulation is a net-metering program whereby customers may be credited for any excess electric energy produced through their solar panels that end up on the grid. 

The surplus energy is fed back into the grid, and the owner is compensated through bill credits or monetary payments. Such a kind of arrangement not only incentivizes the use of renewable energy sources but also paves the way for individuals to alleviate their energy bills. The facility of net metering is offered by local utilities; therefore, the locals who install solar panels in their territories receive credits for extra energy generated in the summer. Also, net metering enables this energy can be used in the winter. In this way, Alberta’s policies framework leads to a catalyzed Return On Investment for a solar project whilst covering the upfront cost.

Municipalities

Municipalities in Alberta can apply for the Alberta Municipal Solar Program; from this program, they can earn a rebate for up to $0.90 per Watt. The only downside to this program is that participants of this program would not be eligible to the Efficiency Alberta Solar Program.

Businesses 

The businesses in Alberta could apply to the Federal Tax Provision for Clean Energy Equipment to account for the expenses that lie ahead of them in the solar photovoltaic system. This amounts to the Class of Depreciable Property rate of around one hundred percent and the abolishment of certain first year rules. 

Increase Your Property Worth 

Solar Photovoltaic Systems is an investment in your energy security and dependence. Adding solar photovoltaic systems not only increases the value of the property but also makes it easier for the property to sell in the competitive market. 

Conclusion 

The potential of solar energy in Alberta, the fourth most highly ranked province in terms of solar energy utilization, is unfettered. Alberta influences the maximal amount of energy that a system can produce. From the factors of irradiance, landscape, and growing awareness about the issue at hand to an emerging urgency towards renewable energy resources, Alberta has within its umbrella all the reasons to be at the apogee of its solar program maximization. The benefits of installing solar energy range from the lower cost of photovoltaic energy to the mitigation of the climate crisis. The government has incentivised the effort through a plethora of programs of which the Renewable Energy Act lays the basis for more projects to build up. At the brink of solar energy’s brinkmanship, one ought to rely on a trusty source for the installation of solar projects. The source should reduce your upfront cost by inducing affordable options, charging your residential setting through industry-leading technology, facilitating prompt and speedy service, and extending local support with the highly-ranked installer at the location. 

Solar energy has become an immensely popular choice for homeowners and businesses in Alberta. As more individuals focus on reducing their carbon footprint, save money on their bills, and induce independent energy production, a company to tackle all debacles ought to take up a front foot. 

Solar Resource is a prudent choice for homeowners that can take advantage of the deep knowledge of solar panels, cutting-edge solar technologies and tailored installations. It has stood at the forefront of enabling natives of Alberta to transform their setting into energy-efficient sanctuaries. Its seamless integration of solar incentives and rebates into the financial aspects makes it viable for the fiscal guidance that homeowners need to make their homes greener.