Rebate rates for installing solar panels increasing

The province is boosting solar power rebate rates for homeowners and doubling the cap on returns for businesses that install solar panels.

The industry has grown by 500 per cent since 2015, said a government news release Monday.

Energy Efficiency Alberta has pegged rebate rates for homeowners at $0.90 per watt, marking a 15 per cent increase, with a cap of $10,000.

Non-profits will receive $1 per watt, totalling a 25 per cent increase, and businesses maintain a rate of $0.75 per watt.

But the cap for non-profits and businesses will double to $1 million.

The government rolled out a $36-million solar rebate program last year, whereby homeowners, businesses and non-profits can opt for a per-watt rebate or 35 per cent cash back on installation, whichever is cheaper.

“Alberta is an energy province, and our investments in renewable energy have spurred unbelievable growth in the solar industry,” said Minister of Environment and Parks Shannon Phillips in a statement.

Since 2015, there have been 3,100 solar installations, said the news release.

“Government rebates continue to play an important role in helping encourage the adoption of new technologies,” said Solar Energy Society of Alberta board chair Susan Petrina in a statement.

Cash for the solar panel rebate program comes thought the NDP’s climate leadership plan funded by the carbon tax.

Last month, the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre (MCCAC) extended funding for the Alberta Municipal Solar Program (AMSP), which had an initial grant of $5 million in 2015. The province has invested an additional $7.5 million.

The program funds municipalities connecting to the grid, with 28 involved so far.

Under that program, the maximum eligible rebate runs at 30 per cent of expenses.

Municipalities can also get a bonus rebate of $0.25 per watt for their first project.