Alberta's solar rebate program begins today

Government of Alberta - The beginning of summer marks the official launch of Energy Efficiency Alberta’s $36-million Residential and Commercial Solar Program.  Starting June 21, homeowners can receive up to 30 per cent off solar panel installation costs, to a maximum rebate of $10,000. Businesses and non-profit organizations are eligible for up to 25 per cent of system costs, to a maximum rebate of $500,000. Rebates are based on the size of the installation and calculated at $0.75 per watt.

Albertans now allowed to generate more green electricity

Solar panels at Piikani Nation Secondary School

Government of Alberta - The Alberta government is promoting greener energy by providing more flexible rules about how Albertans can generate their own electricity.  Changes to the regulation that governs micro-generation include increasing the size limit to five megawatts from one megawatt and allowing a micro-generating system to serve adjacent sites, which is especially helpful for operations with more than one building, such as farms.

Alberta government seeks solar farm proposals

Government of Alberta - The Alberta government is aiming to support the province’s first solar farm to help meet its green power needs. A Request for Information (RFI) to provide advice on the potential cost and best approach for procuring solar power for half of government operations will be posted today. This will explore the opportunity to use solar energy to replace two existing green energy contracts that expire by the end of 2017 with solar power, and could lead to the first solar farm in Western Canada. The total consumption for the two contracts is 135,000 megawatt hours a year.

Twin Butte area rancher's solar insight

Quentin Stevick

Quentin Stevick / Oldman Watershed Council blog - When I heard that our provincial government was interested in Green Energy, Anne and I got all excited. I have been using portable solar powered water systems since about 2002 to pump water from surface locations to our cattle to provide them with clean, fresh water and to prevent pollution of water bodies by these same livestock. I have learned many things: one of which is "Energy free does not mean labour and maintenance free".