Interest from Canadian homeowners in using solar energy to power their homes has increased exponentially in the last few years. The surge of interest has led to the creation of more companies developing solar technology for residential purposes. This means that solar energy is more accessible than ever.
Solar systems are more affordable than ever, especially with the solar financial incentives available. These make the possibility of going solar much more attractive for homeowners. Here is an overview of the solar incentives in Alberta and Canada for residential use, so you know which options are you eligible for.
Something important to note: Solar YYC customers don’t have to figure all of this out on their own. Our consultants do virtually all the work. All you have to do is contact us and get ready to save money.
Canada Greener Homes Initiative
On a federal level, the Canada Greener Homes Initiative intends to help Canadians make their homes more energy-efficient to save them money while creating more jobs in the energy industry and fighting climate change.
With this initiative, eligible homeowners have the opportunity to access:
- Grants from $125 to $5000 to get back part of the costs involved in eligible retrofits.
- Up to $600 to get back from the mandatory EnerGuide evaluations needed to assess the retrofits that better suit your home and overall eligibility.
- Interest-free loans from $5000 up to $40.000, repayable over 10 years.
To participate in this initiative, the property must be your primary residence and you must prove ownership. It is important to highlight that newly-built homes (less than 6 months old) are not eligible.
In case of Indigenous governments and organizations, or other representatives related to Indigenous governments and organizations, eligibility conditions vary.
For more details regarding the eligibility requirements and how to start the process, visit the dedicated website.
Calgary’s Clean Energy Improvement Program
The city of Calgary will offer the Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP) to give to all homeowners access to energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades by offering flexible and affordable financing options to pay for the eligible upgrades, with repayment collected through regular property taxes. CEIP’s residential program is currently available in some Albertan municipalities.
The program is expected to be opened for Calgarian homeowner applications during late fall of 2022, and will include solar thermal water heating, and solar PV systems among the energy efficiency options. For more information interested homeowners can visit myCEIP.ca
Medicine Hat’s Solar Electric Incentive Program
Medicine Hat offers up to a $1000 rebate to buy and install residential solar PV systems. The amount is based according the size of the system installed and the applicants must fulfill some requirements, which include:
- The solar system has to be installed by a qualified installer, using components bought and approved for use in Canada.
- Fill the system size review form to determine the rebate amount that the applicant can receive.
For more details and to submit an application, visit the dedicated webpage.
Lethbridge’s Sunridge Builtgreen Homeowner Rebate
This incentive, oriented to homebuyers in the Sunridge residential area, grants up to $3.500 in rebates for homes that meet certain environmental efficiency standards, based on a previous EnerGuide assessment. For more information on how to get this rebate contact the City’s Real Estate and Land Development Department.
Going Solar in Alberta: It’s Worth It
Alberta is blessed with 333 sunny days a year. It’s shining bright even during the cold winter months. Installing solar panels in your home is a great way to protect yourself from the ever-rising electricity bills, save money, increase your property value, as well as help the environment.
Solar incentives currently available on a provincial and federal level make the decision of going solar easier, as it becomes an upgrade that will pay for itself more quickly and will power your home for decades to come. If you’re ready to take the step of going solar, or have more questions about solar incentives in Alberta, contact us.