The other system costs, such as marketing, design, labour, permitting (often referred to as soft costs) will likely trend downward as governments continue to encourage solar development and installers increase installation efficiency. This concern is based on the fact that the city has long winters and often a lot of snowfall so, would solar panels even make sense in Edmonton? ), City of Edmonton - EV & EV Charger Rebate Page. Solar heated water is stored in a hot water tank so it can be used at night or the next morning. For winter production, set it at latitude +15. Find out more on our Solar Finance page. Battery systems can be installed where there is no connection to the electrical grid or when back-up power is required in the event the grid is down. The amount of utility-scale solar in Alberta is poised to multiply several times over in a matter of months. All thermal energy measures can be converted to kWh to develop your combined energy profile. We provide application assistance on any rebate submission! Such practices take advantage of the sun for lighting and space heating to significantly reduce the use of electrical or mechanical equipment. Click here to learn more about battery energy storage equipment. The Canadian government if offering up to $5000 back for the purchase of electric vehicles. Given Albertas cold climate and relatively large heating demands, homes with solar heating systems also typically have other methods of heating, especially during short winter days. They contain toxic heavy metals, such as cadmium and lead, so proper disposal is important. A solar module will produce the most electricity when it is perpendicular to the rays of the sun. Another example is a solar cooker or oven, which can easily bake cookies or your meal on a hot day. It shuts down DC energy coming into the building. Your homes size and type (i.e. HOW TO START WORKING IN THE SOLAR INDUSTRY. The number of Alberta solar systems is growing rapidly. Battery systems can be combined with back-up generators in case solar PV systems are not producing enough electricity to meet a buildings demands. Now that youve considered whether or not solar power makes sense in Edmonton, you may want to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy in Edmonton. Micro-generators can be small (sized under 150kW) or large (from 150 kilowatts (kW) to 5 megawatts (MW)). If you live in Edmonton, please check out the, The number of Alberta solar systems is growing rapidly. Once electricity is sold to earn a revenue, the generator is considered a commercial generator and is not recognized as a micro-generator, nor provided the micro-generator benefits. Solar power is silent. Solar Alberta attempts to record this information on the solar odometer on, Utility-scale regulatory frameworks and exchange through the power pool, Alberta Energy describes micro-generation as the production of electricity on a small scale, using renewable and alternative energy sources, typically solar and wind, by individual homeowners and small businesses, as well as municipal and community buildings to meet their electricity needs. Micro-generators receive an exemption from many of the typical requirements of the. A study from NAITs Alternative Energy Technology program, to the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the production of solar panels often is associated with the production of greenhouse gas. The average Alberta home uses about 2 GJ of natural gas in the summer and this increases to 20 or more GJ in winter months. Solar panels arent environmentally friendly to produce. Depending on where you are in the city, it can be quite noisy. Creating and Maintaining your Business Profile. We recommend you investigate. Visit our webpage to learn about various careers in the solar industry. We encourage everyone to add their solar project to the Alberta Solar Map. If the current home youre living in isnt your forever home, not to worry. Systems can range from 200% 500% efficient. A utility-scale solar farm produces electricity from thousands of ground-mount solar panels and supplies this electricity into the transmission grid. There are other limitations on the size any particular customer can install, particularly related to the consumers consumption. Many Albertans find value in installing solar modules on even very small roofs, like garages or row houses. Since solar modules can last over 40 years it is in your best interest to not have to remove the solar modules and rack to replace roofing. How to Start Natural Gas Service for the First Time, Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP), Ontario Retail Electricity & Natural Gas Companies, Breaking Down Your Saskatchewan Electricity and Natural Gas Bill, Explaining Your Saskatchewan Electricity & Natural Gas Rates, How to Read Your Saskatchewan Electricity and Natural Gas Meters, How to Update Your Saskatchewan Energy Services, Why the Saskatchewan Electricity Market is Regulated, Breaking Down Your Qubec Electricity and Natural Gas Bills, Explaining Your Qubec Electricity and Natural Gas Rates, How to Start, Transfer, or Change Your Electricity and Natural Gas Services in Qubec, Regulated Elecricity & Natural Gas Retailers, Energy Efficiency Programs and Rebates in Qubec, Residential Electricity and Natural Gas Plans, Small Business Electricity and Natural Gas Plans, Small Commercial Electricity and Natural Gas Plans, Large Commercial Electricity and Natural Gas Plans, Industrial Electricity and Natural Gas Plans, Farming Electricity and Natural Gas Plans, Electricity Rates Tips for Keeping Your Energy Costs Low, Natural Gas Rates Tips for Lowering Your Bills, Green Energy Rates & Renewable Energy Solutions, RECs, Carbon Offsets & Green Building Certification, Carbon Accounting for Corporations: Scopes 1, 2, and 3, Virtual Power Purchase Agreements (VPPAs). Once electricity is sold to earn a revenue, the generator is considered a commercial generator and is not recognized as a micro-generator, nor provided the micro-generator benefits. A tracker is also more vulnerable to break down since it has a number of moving parts. Installing solar panels produces clean energy, has a low carbon footprint and helps reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. The average Alberta household consumes about 7200 kWh of electricity per year. For more information about solar energy in Edmonton, or about green energy alternatives that are available to your commercial facility, contact us atenergyrates.catoday. In other words, net solar production at the end of a year should not exceed usage. If you have a specific amount of kWh you would like to generate, a solar installation company would be happy to find the best solution for your property. A utility-scale solar farm produces electricity from ground-mount solar modules and supplies this electricity into the transmission grid. Yes, as of January 1, 2009, Alberta established that the energy retailer must buy back exported power at a rate equivalent to the customers retail rate. Click here to learn more about Community Solar. In other words, net solar production at the end of a year should not exceed usage. The average Alberta home uses about 2 GJ of natural gas in the summer and this increases to 20 or more GJ in winter months. These techniques make for more energy efficient buildings. All thermal energy measures can be converted to kWh to develop your combined energy profile. It is designed to protect first responders. Grid connection of solar energy systems is regulated in Alberta according to three basic regimes, depending on the size and grid connection method: Alberta Energy describes micro-generation as the production of electricity on a small scale, using renewable and alternative energy sources, typically solar and wind, by individual homeowners and small businesses, as well as municipal and community buildings to meet their electricity needs. Micro-generators receive an exemption from many of the typical requirements of the Electric Utilities Act, particularly those related to exchanging power through the power pool. feed electricity directly into your home electrical system, reducing the amount of electricity you purchase from the electrical utility. If you live in Edmonton, please check out the NAIT/City of Edmonton Reference Array System on the SESA website for more detail. The answer for this isnt necessarily straightforward it would depend on what youre looking to get out of generating energy from solar panels in Edmonton. Solar shingles are another form of building-integrated solar power generation installation that have received considerable attention. A 2015 study from Lakeland College compared two arrays: a stationary array and a dual-axis tracker. - Funding is currently fully allocated & applications are no longer being accepted. Solar power can save you money. edmonton panels Solar Disconnect / Rapid Shutdown box is a safety feature required of solar arrays. How many solar systems are there in Alberta? Which leads us to our next set of questions: Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology uses solar cells to convert sunlight directly into electricity. One method of doing so is setting up solar panels in order to power your home with renewable energy rather than with energy derived from fossil fuels. use sunlight to heat domestic water, or for space heating, pool heating or other heating applications. Established in 2008, Micro-generation is the production of electricity on a small scale, using renewable and alternative energy sources, typically solar and wind, by individual homeowners and small businesses, as well as municipal and community buildings to meet their electricity needs. If you encounter a term that you are unfamiliar with please refer to our Glossary. With an off-grid system snow clearing is usually worthwhile because winter can be the period with the highest demand for electricity and the least amount of sun available. However, a NAIT study showed that snow coverage only reduces productivity by 3%. In summary, solar power in Edmonton does make sense if we consider the two factors we just touched on there are enough hours of sunlight during the year to produce solar energy to power our homes and snowfall hardly makes a dent in the energy produced. The credits are applied to the utility bill; hence the Alberta regulation is described as a net billing system. At the moment in Alberta there is not an industrial recycling facility for Solar PV. However, the cost is usually a factor. The utilities will give you a credit on your bill. Terminology and how energy is measured for solar systems. Does Your Ontario Energy Provider Require a Security Deposit? There are specific electric code requirements, industry best practices, and significant safety issues that need to be taken into consideration with a grid-tie solar PV system. These projects benefit from simplified connection procedures and options to avoid the administrative burden of dealing directly with the power pool. For summer production, the ideal angle is latitude 15. Therefore, it often makes sense for them to change the tilt twice a year, at the spring and autumn equinoxes. With a system warranty of 25 years, buying a solar system today is comparable to locking in at todays electricity prices for the next 25 years. However, a, NAIT study showed that snow coverage only reduces productivity by 3%, NAIT/City of Edmonton Reference Array System on the SESA website. increase the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) of string inverters. Building-integrated solar design incorporates solar modules or collectors on windows, exterior walls, roofs, or can even be contained within banisters and railings. There is recycling available for electronics and electrical equipment in Alberta. that convert the direct current (DC) electricity generated by the modules into alternating current (AC) for use in your home or for export to the grid. Solar heated water is stored in a hot water tank so it can be used at night or the next morning. Most modules are angled in a way that reduces the likelihood of a direct perpendicular hit from hail. A layer of snow can reduce your solar array output to zero and winter months are the lowest production months. strathmore (AESO) to coordinate payments for energy supplied to the grid. Community solar generation provides energy to multiple meters, such as in a condominium complex or to members of a Solar Co-op or similar organization. See the Government of Alberta micro-generation webpage for more information. The last several years have seen exponential growth. See the Government of Alberta. The Canadian government is offering up to $5,000 back for solar installations for existing homes! These projects are regulated through the Electric Utilities Act and same mechanisms that regulate other large electric utilities. Both solar PV and solar thermal systems can be designed to integrate into the building construction. The average Alberta home uses 600 to 800 kWh per month as is shown on the monthly electric utility bill. is typically measured in Giga-Joules (GJ) for natural gas, although several other measures of thermal energy are also used. YES! Other energy savings projects also qualify for funding, but all require EnerGuide evaluations before & after the measures are implemented. Installing solar for you business will lower electricity and operational costs, allowing you to focus and what matters most for your business. Any excess solar production is exported to the grid during the day. However, eligibility is limited to those connected to the distribution system, so the size of any particular project is constrained by the distribution systems capacity (commonly, this limits projects to around 25 MW). If the utility grid goes down, your solar system will also shut down until the grid is once again available. Trackers are ground mounted systems that move to follow the sun. Until 2020, Alberta had only one such project operating (Brooks Solar, at around 15 MW installed capacity) but a number of projects are under active development in early 2020. Looking for cheaper electricity or natural gas? For winter production, set it at latitude +15. In addition to this, solar panels often last between 20-25 years, meaning you wont have to replace your solar panels often, if at all. Albertas Microgeneration Regulation allows installations up to the size of the owners annual consumption. . By constantly monitoring the array they ensure each module operates at its maximum power level. Click here to learn more about financing your project. Off-grid system owners have greater needs during the winter months. are the oldest ones still in use. Such practices take advantage of the sun for lighting and space heating to significantly reduce the use of electrical or mechanical equipment. The European Union (EU) is the only governance body to have established standards to recycle solar panels under the EU waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment directive. according to an article from the Calgary Herald. For example, Neighbour Power estimates an average of $660 in savings per year for residences fitted with solar panels (note that this value changes depending on the cost of energy, the amount of energy produced by the solar panel system, as well as other factors.) Grid-connected PV systems feed electricity directly into your home electrical system, reducing the amount of electricity you purchase from the electrical utility. If you wanted a low-cost way of generating green energy, solar energy may not be for you. Solar power is environmentally friendly. The major components of solar thermal systems are: However, many industry professionals believe that it is more cost effective to heat an electric water tank with electricity from a solar array rather than to integrate a solar thermal system. The upfront costs for solar power are expensive. Solar PV systems have drastically dropped in price over the last 20 years. Micro-generation systems are intended to allow Albertans to offset all or a portion of their electricity needs through using renewable energy, such as solar. If you encounter a term that you are unfamiliar with please refer to. The major components of solar PV systems are: Inverters that convert the direct current (DC) electricity generated by the modules into alternating current (AC) for use in your home or for export to the grid. is overseen by the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC). How is solar energy regulated in Alberta. We recommend you investigate different career opportunities, past presentations, volunteer, and network to get connected to the solar industry. However, the tracker came with an additional cost which was 30% higher than the stationary rack. This is possible if your system is set up for net metering net metering compares the amount of electricity you use versus the amount that you generate through renewable sources. If youre planning to replace your roof in the next few years, it may make sense to move that up and install the PV system at the same time as the new roof is going on. Plus, generating solar power in Edmonton also helps create green jobs that will help with maintaining Edmontons energy system. In Alberta, this would require a solar PV system of around 6000 installed Watts to reach net-zero electricity use on a yearly basis. These projects benefit from simplified connection procedures and options to avoid the administrative burden of dealing directly with the power pool. facilitates the development of projects in the gap that existed between micro-generation projects (which must be linked directly to a consumers electricity service) and large-scale utility projects (which are typically transmission connected and must trade their energy through the power pool). Systems can range from 200% 500% efficient. Ultimately, whether to clear the snow or not is a decision that every solar system owner must make for themselves. Solar modules are complex and contain various materials, requiring dismantling, separation and processing. Please check out the NAIT/City of Edmonton Reference Array System on the SESA website for more detail and data on the effect of snow. There are two types of solar thermal systems: Passive and active. As mentioned above, another common concern with Edmonton solar panels is the fact that Edmonton usually receives a large amount of snowfall every year. Are Alberta and Canada falling behind when it comes to recycling solar equipment? There are two types of solar thermal systems: Passive and active. Is the price of solar going to drop more? Any excess exported to the utility grid will be recorded as a credit. If you buy for 8 cents per kilowatt hour you will be credited at 8 cents per kilowatt hour. Albertas micro-generation regulation is overseen by the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC). As we mentioned before, solar power systems could cost between $13,750 and $15,000, depending on how many kilowatts the system is. The energy generated by projects that are connected to the grid are metered on an hourly basis and production is reported to the distribution owner to calculate revenue at the hourly spot market rate. With the tracker, the annual output was 31% higher than the stationary array. With the tracker, the annual output was 31% higher than the stationary array. Community solar generation provides energy to multiple meters, such as in a condominium complex or to members of a Solar Co-op or similar organization. Micro-inverters also may have 25 year warranties and be practical in certain systems. Established by the GoA in 2019, the Small Scale Generation Regulation facilitates the development of projects in the gap that existed between micro-generation projects (which must be linked directly to a consumers electricity service) and large-scale utility projects (which are typically transmission connected and must trade their energy through the power pool). The suns radiant energy can be used to provide lighting and heat for buildings and to produce electricity. Battery systems can be installed where there is no connection to the electrical grid or when back-up power is required in the event the grid is down. Regular cleaning is needed more often in the proximity of certain trees, spaying operations, or soot. (Multi-residential projects are now also eligible! Solar batteries can cost between $5,000 and $7,000 and may require replacing every five to 15 years. Clearing snow can squeeze a few more kiloWatt-hours (kWh) from your system. Any excess solar production is exported to the grid during the day. Solar Alberta offers training and is among many educational providers offering training for existing professionals to gain skills and gain certificates, diplomas, and degrees in solar. Solar homes can sell for more money. A layer of snow can reduce your solar array output to zero and winter months are the lowest production months. On-grid system arrays are typically bolted into a set position. Some retailers pay extra for your solar energy. These techniques make for more. Click here to learn more about how solar cells produce electricity. However, on May 11th, 2020, the Alberta Government announced a $43 million dollar expansion to electronic recycling in Alberta, which will include solar module recycling. It shuts down DC energy coming into the building. is a safety feature required of solar arrays. Solar thermal and solar PV are the main techniques and technologies used today for producing/generating solar energy. Systems are eligible for $1.00/W up to the $5,000 limit (5 kW). Ground mount arrays are usually easier to access than roof mounts. This amount of energy loss pales to the amount of energy savings produced annually by using solar panels. Battery systems can be combined with back-up generators in case solar PV systems are not producing enough electricity to meet a buildings demands. Solar thermal and solar PV are the main techniques and technologies used today for producing/generating solar energy. Solar Alberta attempts to record this information on the solar odometer on our homepage. Of course, it seems natural to assume the growth of solar panel recycling will also lead to the creation of new, green jobs within the renewable energy industry. These can be micro-inverters that are mounted under the modules or string inverters that are mounted near the distribution panel. At night, or during periods of insufficient solar production, the utility grid will seamlessly meet your needs for electricity. Other types of solar energy systems include solar air heating, which is usually applied on commercial and industrial buildings, and concentrated solar power systems, which were more common in the past, and at a utility scale. How does solar energy integrate with my building? Ground-mount systems are either stationary or are on systems that track the sun (trackers). If you have an off-grid system that you plan to change the tilt of, we recommend that you ensure your solar array has been designed to allow for you to manually adjust the angle of the solar modules in a safe way. Unlike with micro-generation, there is no specific maximum size limit for small-scale or community generation, and no limitation related to connection to a consumer site. For summer production, the ideal angle is latitude 15. Installing solar on your home is simple, fast, environmentally friendly and will save you money. If cost is of no issue to you and you simply want to power your home with as much green energy as possible, installing solar panels in Edmonton makes sense. However, there are a few things to consider when it comes to solar energy in Edmonton, such as solar power viability in Edmonton. Solar Modules are tough pieces of equipment that are made to last. Of course, it seems natural to assume the growth of solar panel recycling will also lead to the creation of new, green jobs within the renewable energy industry. How do I get professional design and installation help? make the system more expensive, so most Albertans choose to install grid-tie PV systems without battery back-up. In some space heating applications, a solar heated fluid is run through pipes within the home to provide radiant heating, typically used in floors and walls. When multiple modules/panels are combined in a sequence, this is referred to as a solar array. Knowing this, would installing solar panels in Edmonton still be a viable option for powering a home or building? The energy generated by projects that are connected to the grid are metered on an hourly basis and production is reported to the distribution owner to calculate revenue at the hourly spot market rate. Micro-generation systems are intended to allow Albertans to offset all or a portion of their electricity needs through using renewable energy, such as solar. If power back-up is a concern of yours, then you should consider a special synchronous inverter with an appropriately sized battery bank. Many of these systems utilize potentially lethal high voltage DC electricity (up to 600V). Solar modules can get covered in dirt, dust, bird droppings or snow. Visually inspect your solar array and periodically check its performance. You can also find companies in our directory who provide a wide variety of other services for the renewable energy industry. Find a better rate with Canadas top energy comparison site. Customers are free to purchase natural gas services or electricity services from a retailer of their choice. My roof needs to be replaced, should I combine the installations? Solar PV systems today can be installed for as low as $2.50 dollars an installed Watt. The long term prognosis is that, because of economies of scale, prices will continue to drop for solar power generation. A study from NAITs Alternative Energy Technology program found that energy loss from snow is fairly minimal estimates use to place the energy loss as around 20%, but this study found that the energy loss from snow is actually closer to 3%. The small scale generator is paid monthly by the. You dont have to have a large roof to have a system that meets your needs. Small micro-generators receive credits for sending energy to the grid on a monthly basis at retail rates. Assuming a cost of $2.50/Watt of installed capacity, this system would cost about $15,000. For a list of retailers, visit www.ucahelps.gov.ab.ca or call 310-4822 (toll free in Alberta). It is a renewable resource and unique for its ability to generate energy in a quiet, clean, and consistent manner over long periods of time. It is possible for hail to damage solar modules, but it would require 1 hail moving at 88kph. They also contain gallium and indium, rare elements, that make recycling these precious minerals more important. This is called Net Billing and requires a Solar PV Utility Interactive system to feed back to the grid. Any excess exported to the utility grid will be recorded as a credit. Changing the tilt angle twice a year will typically increase annual production by 4-5%. In some space heating applications, a solar heated fluid is run through pipes within the home to provide radiant heating, typically used in floors and walls. It is designed to protect first responders. Solar energy can be harnessed only during the day and only if the sunlight is not blocked by clouds, buildings or other obstacles. Solar panels that could power a typical residential home in Edmonton cost between $13,750 and $15,000 to install, according to an article from the Calgary Herald. Electricity is measured in kilowatts (kW). So, most countries have a lot of catching up to do. Click here to watch a video tutorial. Join our mailing list to receive news and updates about Solar Alberta. search through our Solar Provider Directory to find companies near you. Completely covering even one cell of a solar module can potentially affect the performance of the entire array. If you have a specific amount of kWh you would like to generate, a solar installation company would be happy to find the best solution for your property. There are ongoing discussions in Alberta about improving the price paid for solar electricity. for more detail and data on the effect of snow. While the energy that they produce is clean. Energy storage is expensive. Trackers are ground mounted systems that move to follow the sun. With Solar PV installation rapidly increasing throughout the world, people want to know what will come of the waste when the systems are decommissioned. Passive solar technologies are the oldest ones still in use.