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Maximize Savings on Commercial Solar Projects

Take Advantage of the Clean Technology Investment Tax Credit for Commercial Buildings Alberta is increasingly becoming a hotspot for commercial solar installations, ranking as the sunniest province in Canada.  With businesses more focused than ever on reducing operating costs and minimizing environmental impact, now is the perfect time to consider adding solar panels to your building. Since June 2024, you can benefit from a substantial 30% tax break on commercial solar projects, thanks to the  Government of Canada’s Clean Technology  Investment Tax Credit (ITC). The 30% Tax Break: A Game-Changer for Commercial Solar The federal government’s new clean technology ITC is a significant incentive for businesses looking to install solar panels. This refundable tax credit covers 30% of the cost of eligible solar energy systems for commercial properties, making it easier to make the switch. Whether retrofitting an existing building or constructing a new facility, this tax break can significantly reduce your upfront investment. Here’s how the ITC works: Reasons to go Solar on your Commercial Building: Consumers, clients, and investors increasingly look for companies that prioritize environmental responsibility. Adding Solar to your commercial building sends a clear message: your business is committed to reducing its carbon footprint. Solar energy helps cut greenhouse gas emissions and reduces your reliance on fossil fuels, which aligns with Alberta’s broader goals of shifting towards a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. Installing solar panels can also increase the value of your commercial property. Prospective buyers and tenants find solar power appealing for its cost savings and sustainability initiatives. Commercial properties with solar panels sell faster and at higher prices than comparable properties without. Why Choose Solar YYC? At Solar YYC, we understand the unique conditions of Alberta’s solar market, from local regulations to weather patterns. We’ve been at the forefront of Southern Alberta’s solar movement since 2016. Providing top-tier solar installation services to commercial, agricultural, and residential clients. From initial consultation and system design to installation and ongoing maintenance, we handle every aspect of your solar project.  Ready to Go Solar? If you’re ready to explore solar power for your commercial building, now is the perfect time. Take advantage of this incredible opportunity to dramatically lower the installation cost. Start reaping the financial and environmental benefits almost immediately. At Solar YYC, we are here to guide you every step of the way, from the  initial consultation through installation and beyond.

Image of hand signing a mortgage document. Text on top reads: How the CMHC Eco Improvement refund can save you thousands.
CategoriesUncategorized

Boost Your Solar Savings with your Mortgage Insurance

Boost Your Solar Savings with CMHC’s Eco Improvement 25% Rebate! If you’re planning to install solar panels on your home, here’s some great news: CMHC’s Eco Improvement program offers a 25% rebate on your mortgage insurance premium when you complete $20,000 or more of energy efficiency upgrades to your home. And yes, solar systems installed by Solar YYC are eligible! What is CMHC Mortgage Insurance? Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) mortgage insurance is required for homebuyers who make a down payment of less than 20% of the home’s purchase price. This insurance protects the lender in case the borrower defaults on their mortgage. CMHC insurance premiums can be substantial, often costing tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the size of the mortgage. In southern Alberta, the average CMHC insurance premium ranges from $15,000 to $25,000. Maximize Your Savings with Solar YYC and the Eco Improvement 25% Rebate That’s where Solar YYC can really make a difference. By choosing Solar YYC to install your solar system, you not only reduce your power bill but also position yourself to take advantage of CMHC’s Eco Improvement rebate. With rebates averaging between $3,750 and $6,250, you’ll save even more on your mortgage insurance! Why Go Solar with Solar YYC? At Solar YYC, we pride ourselves on offering top-notch solar installations that deliver long-term value. Solar systems don’t just cut your power bills—they represent a solid investment that pays off in multiple ways. With the added benefit of CMHC’s Eco Improvement rebate, you can significantly reduce your mortgage insurance premium on top of your energy savings. Here’s how it works: after closing on your mortgage, eligible borrowers have two years to submit a refund request through the Eco Improvement program. Simply visit CMHC’s Eco Products page for more details and instructions on how to apply. Solar YYC will guide you through the process and help you ensure your solar installation meets the eligibility requirements. How the Rebate Impacts Your Solar ROI with Solar YYC When you combine Solar YYC’s high-quality solar installations with CMHC’s Eco Improvement rebate, the return on your investment becomes even more attractive. The rebate, along with the energy savings from solar, can dramatically shorten your solar system’s payback period, putting more money in your pocket sooner. To learn more about how Solar YYC can help you maximize your savings and take full advantage of the CMHC Eco Improvement rebate, reach out to one of our solar consultants today! We’ll walk you through the rebate process and show you how going solar with Solar YYC can make a big difference in your home’s energy efficiency and your bottom line. Take advantage of this opportunity to lower both your energy bills and mortgage costs with Solar YYC! Don’t have a solar consultant? Let’s get in touch! Fill out our intake form and we’ll reach out to you shortly.

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Why We Don’t Promise Over 100% Offset

written by Kennedy Davies, Solar Consultant When considering solar power for your home or farm, you may have come across solar installation companies that promise over 100% offset in energy production. While it might be tempting to think bigger is better, that number can sometimes be deceiving. Often times, if you’re being promised over 100% in Calgary by your solar design (and that design has been approved by your wire provider) the end result is far less than that originally promised number.  At Solar YYC we never over promise when it comes to your solar system’s capacity. Sometimes this authenticity can lead to us losing a sale since our designs may not always have the highest offset percentages displayed. Even so, we prefer to operate being able to guarantee that our designs are 99.75% accurate (a stat we have worked hard to maintain since 2016).  But why can’t my Calgary home produce over 100% offset?  The short of it is that the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) has set guidelines against it. This leads to another question… why would the AUC not want homes to generate more electricity than they require? The answer to this question is two fold:  At Solar YYC we have successfully navigated over 1,000 project approvals in Calgary alone, and work closely with Enmax to ensure that the designs we submit adhere to the Regulatory Approval processes they are governed by so that they never (or rarely) get denied. Overpromising could lead to project declines, unnecessary delays, and ultimately, customer dissatisfaction—something we’re committed to avoiding. A surefire way to get a permit denied is to promise well over your home’s consumption on a design (ie. over 100% offset).  Ok, sure that’s great, but my system design is well over 100% and still got approved by our Calgary wire provider… how do you explain that? In some cases, you may find that a system designed for 100%+ of your energy needs gets approved. How is this possible? It comes down to the system’s capacity to produce energy, which is ultimately limited by the AC inverters. To break it down, as an example, even if your solar panels are generating 500 watts of power, your inverters may only be able to convert 350 watts into AC current, depending on their capacity. This concept, known as “clipping,” is an industry best practice within 10-20%*,1 and your wire providers can see that in your system’s design. Some systems may have a much higer clipping percentage than is necessary, and therefore makes your system appear to be more capable than it is. You see 107% production on the top line, but (if your system has been approved) we can almost guarantee that the reality of your system and your inverters will result in an offset much closer to 100% than it appears.  Another reason why your 100%+ system may have been approved is because you’re looking to add a new appliance to your home. To get approval for a larger system, you’ll need to provide proof of purchase (POP) for these appliances. For an EV, you’ll also need to provide registration and insurance documentation. This way, the additional energy consumption is factored into your system design, ensuring it meets AUC guidelines. Great, so… now what? If you’ve received a quote from another vendor that seems too good to be true, it probably is. At Solar YYC, we’re always here to help you read through your quotes—even if they’re from another company. We believe in transparency and want to ensure you’re making an informed decision that meets your long-term energy needs, and, ultimately, we want you to get the best system possible for your home. Need some help looking through your designs? Shoot us a line and we will be more than happy to take you through any questions you may have.  Ready to explore your solar options? Contact us today for a free consultation, and let’s build a system that works for you.

CategoriesUncategorized

Don’t Get Burned By Solar This Summer

Here are 6 things to consider while shopping for your new solar system. Beware of pushy sales tactics. Solar is a big ticket renovation to your home, much like a new kitchen or bathroom. If you don’t hire the right team, the value and piece of mind it brings can turn into a headache overnight. Take your time when making such an important financial decision about your home. This might be one of the largest investments you make on your home, so make sure you never sign up “at the door”. Take your time and make sure you feel like you’ve had time to digest the information, ask any questions, and that you are fully comfortable with the next steps. We recommend that the best practice is to shop around – get a few quotes from reputable, local installers and move on from there. Industry standard does not require a deposit with a quote, so be wary of companies “locking you in” for a fee at the door, these are often predatory.  Check reviews! There will be a LOT of new solar sales and installation companies popping up in Calgary in the coming years as the industry grows. Take into account their reputation. How long have they been in the industry for? What are their customers saying about them? You can tell a lot about a company by their reviews. TIP: make sure to read through and ensure the reviews are genuine and from customers, not their staff! Do they subcontract out the install? There are two main ways that solar companies go about installation: through an in-house install team, or subcontracted out to a third-party installer. Although not always the case, there have been instances where the third-party installation company does a less-than-stellar job, and since the solar seller’s are not liable for the third-party installer’s practices, this leaves the home-owner high and dry with their problems. We recommend choosing a Solar Company that does both the solar sale and installation so all your warranties and customer service are in one place.  Do they follow safety standards? It only takes one OH&S violation to derail your entire project, or stop it completely! Feel free to ask your Solar Sales Rep about their company’s install safety practices. Great questions to ask: Do they space their panels with enough distance between to safely access the panels if maintenance is required? Do they require safety practices for the install team?  You can also tell a lot from the design: are the panels too close to or extended over the perimeter of your roof?  Is your quote accurate? Make sure what your solar sales rep is offering you is actually obtainable, and do your homework. Do they take into account the shade from the neighbour’s house or the large evergreen in your front yard? Cross reference quotes and ask your rep what the accuracy percentage is on their designs. If one company is offering you 103% offset with 8 panels, and another is offering you 98% with 12… the likely story is the 8-panel system is over-promising.  Do they offer a warranty? There is always a risk with any tech install that either the tech itself needs replacing, or the workmanship may need a re-do. Make sure both  your system and the work is under warranty. At the moment the best industry warranty that companies are offering is a 25 year workmanship warranty. –Written by Taylor Holbrook, Solar YYC

how to use your solar panels to charge an electric car
CategoriesSolar Panels Installation

How to Use Your Solar Panels to Charge an Electric Car

For eco-conscious people, going solar and driving an electric car are natural choices to align their lifestyle with their goals of contributing to a greener future. If this sounds like you and you already have solar panels powering your home but you charge your car at a station, in this blog, we’ll discuss the advantages of adding an EV charger to your home, and we’ll give you the steps you need to follow to use your solar system to charge your electric car without leaving your house and making sure you’re driving a fully green vehicle. Why You Should Add an EV Charger to Your Solar System Beyond the obvious benefits of the convenience of charging your vehicle whenever you need to and knowing you are driving a car powered with clean energy, using your solar system to charge your EV has other interesting perks: Overall, adding an EV charger to your home is a win-win scenario that offers economic, environmental, and societal benefits to you, the planet, and society as a whole. How to Charge Your EV With Your Solar Panels Without further ado, let’s take a look at the steps you need to take to charge your EV with your panels: 1. Determine the Energy Consumption of Your EV The amount of electricity your EV consumes for a full charge is crucial. This varies depending on the vehicle model, battery capacity, and charging efficiency. You can find this information in the vehicle’s specifications or manual. 2. Determine the Charging Frequency How often you charge your EV and how much energy you use between charges will influence your energy output needs. If you charge your EV daily or have multiple EVs, you may need more solar panels to meet your energy demands. As a rough estimate, it takes 7 to 12 panels to charge an EV, depending on the weather, your driving habits, and your car model. We recommend contacting your solar installer to discuss a potential system expansion if needed or what other options are available for your specific needs.  3. Charger Installation and Essential Considerations It’s important to ensure that the charger is compatible with your solar system’s inverter and designed to handle its voltage and amperage because it will draw electricity from the solar panels via the inverter. Installing an incompatible charger can lead to several issues: 4. After Installation, Follow Up Once you install the charger and start using it, keep an eye on your solar system’s performance to ensure it generates enough electricity to charge your EV. If you notice abnormal energy fluctuations or the charger malfunctions, contact your installer company for further assistance.  Another Way to Take Advantage of Your Panels Installing an EV charger to charge your car with the energy your solar panels produce is a convenient add-on that will not only make your life easier but also help support your eco-conscious lifestyle. However, to avoid damage to your solar system, it’s essential to keep in mind the considerations we discussed above before starting your charger project. If you are looking for a professional installer to help you install a charger that suits your needs, contact us.

Solar Financial Incentives for Businesses
CategoriesSolar Incentives

Solar Financial Incentives for Businesses In 2024

For Canadian businesses, solar adoption isn’t just a step towards sustainability; it’s a savvy business decision that will make them save money over the long term. However, the upfront costs are still a barrier for many owners. Fortunately, the Government is supporting the adoption of solar and other forms of clean energy as part of the efforts to make Canada a net-zero emission country by 2050 and is offering financial incentives that make going solar much more attractive from a business perspective. This blog will give you an overview of the solar incentives available in Canada and Alberta for commercial adopters, so you know which option suits your business best.  Federal Incentives The Clean Technology Investment Tax Credit This tax credit aims to support the investment in clean energy projects and allows taxable Canadian corporations to claim up to a 30% refundable tax credit for the capital cost of eligible equipment required for energy production through solar and other clean sources, bought and available for use on or after March 28, 2023, and before 2034. For equipment that becomes available for use in 2034, the tax credit would be up to 15%. The Accelerated Investment Incentive This incentive provides commercial users who invest in solar or other forms of clean energy to support their activities with an enhanced first-year tax deduction for the equipment subject to the capital cost allowance regulations. This allows them to deduct a more significant portion of the cost of these assets in the year they are put into use rather than spreading the deduction over several years through depreciation. The deduction applies to property purchased after November 20, 2018, and scales down over time.  Canadian Renewable and Conservation Expense (CRCE) The CRCE covers the intangible costs of clean energy projects, such as feasibility studies and pre-construction development expenses, and allows taxpayers to deduct these expenses for the year incurred entirely. Alberta Incentives Emission Reductions Alberta This initiative allows Alberta’s small and medium businesses to get funding for their clean energy projects. (This program was closed when we wrote this blog, but you can join the waitlist to be among the first ones to know when the program receives funding.) Clean Energy Improvement Financing Program This program offers financing up to 100% of clean energy projects and upgrades on commercial property in Edmonton. It offers an up-to-20-year repayment period through your property tax bill and competitive interest rates. The program is planned to reopen for applications in Spring 2024, and you can join its newsletter to stay informed. An Investment With Long-lasting Benefits Few investments can give a business instant cash flow relief the way a solar system can, and with the financial incentives we discussed, going solar is an attainable option for businesses of all sizes. When your panels start producing energy, you can invest the money you save in bills in other areas of your business while knowing your activities will be powered by a reliable energy source. We would love to hear from you if you have any questions or would like more information. Contact us for a free consultation to ask us all your solar questions.

CategoriesSolar Panels Installation

Are Critter Guards Necessary for Solar Panels?

Getting solar panels can be a hefty investment, so trying to protect them from damage to guarantee they perform at peak capacity for their lifetime is a natural concern for homeowners and businesses alike. One of the most common protection items for solar panels is critter guards, and in this blog we’ll discuss how they work, the different types available, and why you should consider installing one to keep pesky animals away from your panels. What Are Critter Guards? Critter guards, also known as wildlife deterrents, pest barriers or solar screens, are physical barriers that surround the solar array and prevent animals from accessing or nesting under the space between the panels and the roof.  Why Should You Install Critter Guards? Wildlife damage can be more severe than most people may think. For example, the main threats to solar panels are birds, squirrels, and rodents. They tend to nest under the panels and chew on exposed wires, leading to debris buildup and damage to wiring, resulting in a decrease in the system’s power output and expensive, unwanted repairs. Aside from wild animals disturbing your solar panels, critter guards can also serve as protection against environmental debris such as dust, dirt, pollen, leaves, branches, or bird droppings that can accumulate on the surface of solar panels over time and potentially reduce the amount of energy the panels can generate.  What Types of Solar Critter Guards Are Available? There are two types of critter guards in the market, and which one to choose will depend mostly on the most common animals in your area and your budget: Wire Mesh These guards consist of a flexible, sturdy mesh of light metal installed around the perimeter of the solar panels and attached to them with mounting brackets and fasteners. They create a barrier that prevents animals from crawling underneath. Wire mesh critter guards are effective at keeping out small animals like rodents and birds while allowing airflow and keeping the panels’ temperature stable. (Source) This critter guard option is the most cost-effective, and you can buy it online on sites like Amazon, but it can be more challenging to install if you want to do it yourself. Adhesive Barrier These are light metal strips that are adhered to the solar array with a peel-and-stick heavy-duty adhesive, forming a cage that will keep critters at bay. The metal strips can be cut with a snap or shears and bent at the corners as needed to fit and surround the array completely.  (Source) Adhesive critter guards are easier to work with for DIY installers but are usually more expensive than their mesh counterparts and can’t be reused in your panels if you have to remove the strips for repairs. Protecting Your Investment Is Easy Installing a critter guard for your solar system is a protective step that will save you money and more than a headache if squirrels, birds or rodents choose to make their home below your panels. Proactively protecting your investment with critter guards is easy and will ensure your panels produce energy with no mishaps for decades to come.

What Is a Solar Inverter
CategoriesSolar Panels Installation

What Is a Solar Inverter? 

A solar system goes beyond the panels. Solar inverters play a crucial role in turning the energy the panels get from sunlight into usable electricity for your appliances. We’ll give you a full scope of how solar inverters work, which types are available in the market, and our recommended inverter that we use for our clients’ installations. So, What Is a Solar Inverter? A solar inverter (also known as a photovoltaic inverter or grid-tie inverter) is an electronic device that converts direct current (DC) electricity produced by solar panels into alternating current (AC) electricity. This allows solar energy to power household and commercial appliances and integrates the solar system with the electrical grid to feed it with the excess energy panels produce.  Inverters are also essential for ensuring the quality, compatibility, and safety of the electricity generated, minimizing the risk of appliances and equipment damage, and helping maintain the grid’s stability and reliability.  Types of Solar Inverters String Inverters String inverters typically connect multiple solar panels in a row, forming a “string” of panels, and convert all the incoming DC energy to usable AC energy. Due to their lower cost and relatively straightforward installation process, string solar inverters are popular in solar residential and commercial installations.  However, string inverters come with a few downsides. They may not be suitable for installations with significant shading issues, as shading can affect the entire string’s output. A string configuration also makes the whole system prone to a single point of failure, meaning that if one of the panels or the inverter malfunctions, the output of the entire string will be affected.  Using string inverters also limits a system’s scalability because of how the panels are wired together, limiting installation flexibility, especially when panels are distributed across multiple orientations or roof sections. Microinverters Solar microinverters are small, individual inverters installed directly on each panel in a solar power system. Unlike traditional string inverters connected to multiple solar panels in a row, microinverters operate on a per-panel basis, independently converting the DC electricity generated by each panel into AC electricity. We recommend microinverters because they offer several advantages that offset the cost savings of using string inverters. Let’s discuss them in more detail: Source: APsystems The Final Take Despite microinverters being the best option for optimal system performance, choosing between string inverters and microinverters will ultimately depend on your project’s needs and budget. Although string inverters have some drawbacks, they aren’t deal breakers and can perform properly. We hope you leave this article with the knowledge to help you make the best decision for your circumstances. If you have more questions, we can help. Book a free consultation and ask us all your solar questions. 

agrivoltaics
CategoriesSolar Energy

Agrivoltaics: The Benefits of Combining Solar Panels and Farming

The quest for sustainable solutions to our energy and agricultural needs leads to the constant search for innovative ways of producing food while keeping the environmental disruption minimal. One of these innovations is Agrivoltaics, the practice of co-locating agricultural activities and solar systems on the same land area.  Although Agrivoltaics is a concept that has been around since 1982, it’s only in recent years that it has gained recognition due to its benefits for the agricultural industry, small farms, rural communities, and the environment. Let’s explore how combining solar panels with farming is a win-win. 7 Ways Agrivoltaics Can Improve Farming 1 – Land Use Optimization Land use optimization is crucial in agriculture for many reasons, including productivity, food security for an ever-growing global population, preserving natural resources and the quality of life of the surrounding communities. Implementing Agrivoltaics allows for dual land use, maximizing the efficiency of the land by producing both solar energy and agricultural products. This is particularly advantageous in regions where land availability is limited or expensive.  2 – Increased Crop Yields Studies have shown that shading provided by solar panels can moderate temperature extremes, reduce water evaporation from the soil, and protect plants from excess sun, wind, and hail, leading to improved crop yields and quality. Certain crops, like lettuce, spinach, and broccoli, thrive in the cooler microclimate created by solar panels. 3 – Drought Effects Mitigation The shading effect of solar panels also helps reduce water evaporation from the soil, which can mitigate the impact of drought conditions on crops and preserve soil quality by helping retain its moisture, which also reduces water usage. This is especially helpful for arid or semi-arid regions where water scarcity is a concern. 4 – Energy Diversification for Farmers Integrating solar panels into farms provides an additional revenue stream for farmers (especially small farms) through the excess energy the panels produce. This diversification can help stabilize farm incomes, especially during fluctuating crop prices or unpredictable weather conditions, reducing financial risk and improving their economic resilience. 5 – Reduced Energy Costs Of course, one of the main benefits of Agrivoltaics is reducing farms’ dependence on the grid,  reducing their energy expenses and increasing their energy independence. Another financial benefit for Alberta working farmers is that solar equipment is considered a business expense and is fully deductible from year-end taxes. 6 – Community Support Agrivoltaics projects often involve collaboration and engagement with local communities, including the farmers, residents, other local businesses, and government or private stakeholders.  Community input is sought during the planning and implementation stages of agrivoltaics projects, fostering a sense of ownership and participation in the decision-making process. This community involvement and the fact that this practice enhances agricultural production contributes to greater acceptance and support for agrivoltaics initiatives. 7 – Research Opportunities Agrivoltaics offers a platform for researching critical sustainability topics like optimizing land use, crop productivity, and solar panel efficiency. This research can lead to innovations in agriculture and renewable energy technologies, benefiting society as a whole. A Promising Practice The potential positive impact of Agrivoltaics if the adoption of this way of farming increases is immense. By harnessing the sun’s power alongside traditional farming practices, agrivoltaics projects can contribute to a more sustainable future, food security, and local communities’ well-being and resilience.  If you are an Albertan farmer and want to implement Agrivoltaics, our specialists can install a ground mount solar system that suits your working land. Contact us for a free estimate of your project and how much money you could save in bills.

solar energy
CategoriesSolar Energy

Is Solar Energy Unreliable In the Winter?

Even though it has been demonstrated and documented that solar panels can produce energy to fulfill people’s daily activities during the winter months, the frequent grid alerts Albertans receive when they’re facing below-freezing temperatures make the public wonder if they can rely on solar panels and other forms of renewable energy to relieve the pressure on the electrical grid and avoid rotating outages when they need electricity the most to keep themselves warm. We will outline the factors that determine solar energy production and panels’ performance during the winter and explain why solar adoption can give the electrical grid the stability it needs in extreme cold temperatures. The Elements Behind Solar Energy Production During the Winter 1 – Sunlight Duration Winter days are shorter, translating into less sunlight for solar panels to generate electricity. Additionally, the sun is often lower in the sky during the winter months, reducing the intensity of the sunlight. However, Alberta enjoys over 312 sunny days a year, and the shorter winter days still provide enough sunlight to produce energy with solar panels. 2 – Snow Snow cover can slightly reduce the amount of sunlight reaching solar panels, as a five-year study conducted by NAIT showed that snow build-up will reduce a system’s yearly output by a mere 3%. 3 – Temperature This may sound counterintuitive, but solar panels tend to perform better in cooler temperatures rather than scorching summer temperatures due to the silicon material the panels are made of and work as a semiconductor, which has better conductivity and less energy loss in cold weather conditions, allowing the panels to produce energy more efficiently.  4 – Angle of Incidence  The angle at which sun rays hit the solar panels (known as the angle of incidence) can affect their efficiency depending on the season. In the winter, the sun is often at a lower angle, which may not be optimal for some solar panel installations. However, professional installers consider angle tilt and ensure that sun incidence fluctuations throughout the year won’t affect the system’s performance.  Why Solar Adoption Supports the Electrical Grid While adopting solar energy is often seen as a personal choice to reduce carbon footprint or lower electricity bills, its impact extends far beyond individual households. In fact, integrating solar power into the broader electrical grid offers many attractive benefits:  1 – Reduced Peak Demand Hours Solar energy production often coincides with periods of high electricity demand, particularly during daylight hours when people are awake and using electrical appliances. By supplying electricity during these peak hours, solar energy reduces the strain on the grid, helping to stabilize the system and avoid blackouts or brownouts. 2 – Localized Generation and Distributed Energy Solar systems can be placed on rooftops or in distributed arrays across communities, generating electricity near where it’s consumed. This distributed generation model reduces the need for long-distance electricity transmission, minimizing transmission losses and improving overall grid efficiency. 3 – Peak Shaving Solar energy can help “shave” peak demand by supplying the excess energy microgenerators produce as additional electricity, especially during periods of high demand, hence reducing the need to rely on expensive peaking power plants or grid upgrades and improving grid stability and efficiency. 4 – Diversification of Energy Sources Alberta’s government has implemented policies such as the Renewable Electricity Program to encourage the development of renewable energy projects and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. As it stands now though, the province’s electricity generation mix still depends heavily on non-renewables.  Including more solar energy projects will help us reduce our carbon footprint, reach the province’s renewable energy capacity goals and result in a more resilient, sustainable, and efficient energy system. Solar Is Reliable No Matter the Season Solar energy is a dependable source that can power your home or business and contribute to electricity generation and grid stability during the winter. Innovations in solar technology, combined with proper system design and maintenance, can help mitigate any fluctuation in energy production your system may have during our below-zero days, so you can rest assured that you can count on your solar system all year round.

Solar

Real Estate & Construction Group