The downside to this is paying a whole lot more for electricity than they need to.Īs you’ve probably heard, In addition to the all-time low cost of going solar, you can do a tax write-off for 30% of your overall purchase. On top of the fact that it helps reduce your energy bill and helps the planet, going solar is getting cheaper and more accessible with each passing year.Įven with that, many people are taking their time when deciding to go solar. What it comes down to is comparing the estimated amount you will pay for electricity over the next decade or so to the cost of a solar energy system over the next few decades.There’s no doubt that going solar is an incredible investment to make, and it’s never been easier than it is today. In order to decide whether or not converting to solar is right for you, you must take all of the above details into consideration. Phillips urges people interested in solar to get more than one quote in order to get the best price. Prices for solar installations will also decrease as the solar industry continues to grow, like it has in recent years. If they rise, a homeowner will see the return sooner. If energy prices continue to stay low, a homeowner will see a much longer return on investment. (This does not include installation costs.) With the government rebate of 75 cents per watt, or 30 per cent, the prices would decrease to $9,625 and $10,500, respectively. The price for 5.5 kilowatt system would be $13,750 and a 6 kilowatt system would be $15,000. In order to create enough solar energy to power a typical home a homeowner would need a solar system between 5.5 and 6 kilowatts in size. For the purpose of answering this question, let’s use the average of $2.50 per watt. The average price per watt is between $2.00 and $3.00. He said traditionally paybacks have been between 12 and 15 years, but with the government rebate could drop to eight or nine years. “It depends on what your tolerance for payback is,” said Harlan. Is it feasible for an average house owner to convert to solar energy? People will also pay normal energy prices if they do not produce enough solar energy from their system and have to take from the grid. However, a homeowner will still have to pay fixed fees like the distribution charge, transmission charge, local access fee, delivery charge and balancing pool allocation on your bill. How does solar energy affect an energy bill?ĭepending on how much energy a homeowner sends back to the grid, they will be credited in accordance with micro-generation regulation.

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DAVID BLOOM/Postmedia Recommended from Editorial Minister Shannon Phillips announces an Energy Efficiency Alberta program for solar panel installation rebates on Monday, February 27, 2017. That said, Rilett explained that the average house installs a system that is between 4.5 and five kilowatts, meaning they hit just under net zero. The goal is to hit “net zero,” which means consuming the same amount of solar energy as you are exporting.

“For most residential consumers, the average in Alberta is 7200 kWh per year and to do that in Calgary, you would need a solar system that is between 5.5 and 6 kilowatts in size to produce that much energy in a year,” said John Rilett, a spokesperson for Enmax. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. If a home has enough energy to function, the excess will go back to the grid for other people to use. Once a homeowner has installed a solar energy system on his/her home, a bi-directional meter will measure the amount of solar energy that is consumed and exported. The size of your solar energy system depends on a variety of factors like roof size, roof shape and personal preference.

Solar modules are durable, last a long time and require little maintenance, said Rob Harlan, the executive director of Solar Energy Society of Alberta. In order to access solar energy, solar modules attached to the roof of a home harness energy from the sun and convert it into clean electricity. The government is currently looking for a third party to deliver the program. Please try again Article contentįurther details on qualifying systems and installation and eligibility requirements will be released in coming months. The next issue of Calgary Herald Headline News will soon be in your inbox. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. Manage Print Subscription / Tax ReceiptĪ welcome email is on its way.

Encore energy solar rebates 2017