Company Insights

Here at Solar YYC, we are forever grateful for the PV (photo voltaic) designers; they are the backbone of every project we do; without them, we wouldn’t be able to produce quality work.  Solar YYC included the design team in 2021; before then, the sales team had to split their focus between sales and design. This made their job incredibly difficult as the diverted focus hurt their ability to do what they’re best at. Thus, the idea of an independent design team was born.The design team plays a quiet but integral role in shaping the identity and success of our solar projects. They are responsible for creating the first impression of an ideal array, which can ultimately influence how users perceive and interact with the product. See more of the team’s designs here. Beyond aesthetics, the design team clarifies the user journey, ensuring that each interaction is seamless and intuitive. Even as the project journey ends, the design team is still hard at work in the form of client support and answering technical questions about the system. They collaborate closely with product managers, sales, and operations personnel to translate complex ideas and requirements into simple, practical solutions that serve business goals and user needs. Their ability to solve problems creatively and think outside the box helps them navigate challenges and identify opportunities for improvement. By maintaining a positive attitude when approaching a difficult situation, the design team fosters brand loyalty, boosts efficiency, and drives customer satisfaction. In essence, they are not just creators of beauty but problem solvers and strategic thinkers who ensure that a product stands out for all the right reasons. Being a designer is truly a difficult job. For a designer, every day is a new challenge since every house has its unique charm. The most challenging project the designers have worked on is a house designed by an artist. Although the house was beautiful, it was complicated as the roofs had many layers and a complex layout.  In the day-to-day life of a designer, they must find the balance between client requests and setting realistic expectations. Each member of the technical design team stated time management is the one thing all designers must master. The race starts when the sales give them the go-ahead to begin the design process. The difference between making a sale and falling short depends on the preliminary design’s speed. One of our core beliefs is that quality comes from due diligence. How do we ensure that our designs are completed swiftly while still maintaining our duty to quality? Well, the best designers keep their secrets close. But they check their work not once, not twice, but three times. Additionally, they rely on each other for suggestions and support. As they put it, “The machine that is the design team only works when everybody can rely on each other when needed.” Solar YYC couldn’t function without the installers who bring our designs to life. As a token of our appreciation, the design team always strives to make the installers’ jobs easier by keeping their safety in mind. One reason why safety is such a priority is that all of our designers have hands-on experience with installing and working on rooftops. This firsthand knowledge makes safety a critical consideration in every design. One thing Solar YYC does is include a setback on every roof. A setback is the distance between the edge of a roof and obstacles; this added precaution ensures our installers are truly safe when implementing our designs. We take pride in that here at SolarYYC, our customers choose us after making an informed decision. They select us because of our reputation for an extremely high level of detail, commitment to customer satisfaction, and swift yet immaculate execution of PV designs. All of these qualities rest on the shoulders of our design team. So, when asking yourself what makes SolarYYC truly stand out, you can be confident that one of the key reasons is the strength of our designers and their dedication to the small details essential in bringing each client’s ideal array to life. So when your project begins, and the sales team assigns you a designer, you can rest assured that our quality exceeds expectations. Ready to explore your solar options? Contact us today for a free consultation, and let’s build a system that works for you.

Earth Day is the one day a year everyone comes together to celebrate the beautiful planet we call home. It is a day to appreciate, reflect and give back to the environment for everything it has and continues to give to us.  At Solar YYC, we actively try to increase our environmental footprint. Since 2016 we have been powering more Alberta homes and businesses with clean, renewable energy from the sun. Going solar is not just about the economic benefits but its long-term impact on our environment. We all know renewable energy is very eco-friendly, but how does it benefit the environment? Solar panels don’t emit any greenhouse gases or produce air pollution during operation. They work by absorbing sunlight and converting it into electricity using photovoltaic (PV) cells. The sun is an excellent energy source as it is inexhaustible! Solar also shines when it comes to water conservation. In fact, the average household powered by solar can save up to 61,000 litres of water in one year.  Like all energy sources, solar does have an environmental impact during manufacturing and installation. However, compared to other sources, it’s by far one of the cleanest. One helpful measure is the energy payback time—the time it takes for a system to generate the same amount of energy that went into making it. For solar, that’s typically under 4 years. Customer Highlight: One of our customers, Jeremy McIvor, shared his inspiring commitment to sustainability with us. His long-term goal? To transform his home into a Net-Zero Energy Retrofit—meaning it will produce as much energy as it uses over the course of a year. Solar power is a key part of his plan, helping him dramatically cut utility bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It’s a big step toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.  Additionally, he took advantage of the Greener Homes Loan and has seen an impressive return on investment! The government announced an extension with an added $600 million in funding. Take advantage while it lasts. Watch his full testimonial video below:  The Local Impact of Solar in Southern Alberta Solar YYC has offset 9 million kWh of electricity in the past year. This means our solar community has helped offset over 6,345 tons of CO₂, and that’s equivalent to: Every install matters. Every system counts. And every homeowner who chooses solar is part of this progress. How You Can Take Action This Earth Day If you want to join the Earth movement, there are a ton of ways you can get involved! If you are a past Solar YYC customer, you can spread the word about solar energy to your neighbours, family and friends. The more people that make the switch, the higher the impact on our planet (and don’t forget about the $400 referral bonus with Solar YYC). You can make many small changes in your household and everyday life to help the environment.  Local events in Calgary: April 19: Earth Day Clean-Up at Prince’s Island Park April 26: Earth Day Clean-Up in Kincora Community Let’s Make Every Day Earth Day—Starting With Your Roof Ready to make the switch? Sign the form on our website and one of our sales consultants will be in touch shortly. Or better yet, call us directly at 587-296-7375 for immediate help. Sources (20, February 20). What are the safest and cleanest sources of energy? Ourworldindata. https://ourworldindata.org/safest-sources-of-energy (2024, January 19). Solar explained. ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION. https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/solar/solar-energy-and-the-environment.php (2024, March 31). Why are solar panels good for the environment? MET Group Countries. https://group.met.com/en/media/energy-insight/why-are-solar-panels-good-for-the-environment

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.

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.