Micro-inverters also may have 25 year warranties and be practical in certain systems. For summer production, the ideal angle is latitude 15. Therefore, the general rule of thumb for the best annual production is to set the tilt angle equivalent to the latitude.
However, a NAIT study showed that snow coverage only reduces productivity by 3%. 
A. compared two arrays: a stationary array and a dual-axis tracker. According. Which leads us to our next set of questions: Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology uses solar cells to convert sunlight directly into electricity. 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. There are other limitations on the size any particular customer can install, particularly related to the consumers consumption. 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. We recommend you investigate. Solar Alberta attempts to record this information on the solar odometer on our homepage. feed electricity directly into your home electrical system, reducing the amount of electricity you purchase from the electrical utility. Assuming a cost of $2.50/Watt of installed capacity, this system would cost about $15,000. There is recycling available for electronics and electrical equipment in Alberta. Some retailers pay extra for your solar energy. Solar modules are complex and contain various materials, requiring dismantling, separation and processing. Micro-generators can be small (sized under 150kW) or large (from 150 kilowatts (kW) to 5 megawatts (MW)). This is because solar PV technology has become increasingly affordable. 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. How does solar energy integrate with my building? Please view our grants + incentives page. Racking that either fastens your panels to the roof of a building (rooftop), or to the ground (ground-mount). There are two types of solar thermal systems: Passive and active. Another fact that may surprise you is that Edmonton is one of the sunniest cities in Canada, with over 2,300 hours of sunshine per year, according to the Edmonton Journal. These techniques make for more energy efficient buildings.
Solar heated water is stored in a hot water tank so it can be used at night or the next morning. Thankfully, solar power is silent, unlike other green sources of energy such as wind energy because it doesnt have any moving parts. Solar shingles are another form of building-integrated solar power generation installation that have received considerable attention. At night, or during periods of insufficient solar production, the utility grid will seamlessly meet your needs for electricity. Most modules are angled in a way that reduces the likelihood of a direct perpendicular hit from hail. (Multi-residential projects are now also eligible! Solar PV systems today can be installed for as low as $2.50 dollars an installed Watt. Off grid systems contain other components such as batteries, which will need to be replaced periodically based on the type of battery. My roof needs to be replaced, should I combine the installations? For example, one GJ is equivalent to 278 kWh. The amount of utility-scale solar in Alberta is poised to multiply several times over in a matter of months. Other types of solar energy systems include, , which is usually applied on commercial and industrial buildings, and. On-grid system arrays are typically bolted into a set position. By constantly monitoring the array they ensure each module operates at its maximum power level. Any excess exported to the utility grid will be recorded as a credit. 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. Trackers are ground mounted systems that move to follow the sun. Solar PV systems with batteries make the system more expensive, so most Albertans choose to install grid-tie PV systems without battery back-up. With the tracker, the annual output was 31% higher than the stationary array. Knowing this, would installing solar panels in Edmonton still be a viable option for powering a home or building? Luckily, all the components of a Solar PV system are recyclable and can be separated. 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. See the Government of Alberta micro-generation webpage for more information. Usually, rain will do most of the cleaning for you. 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. 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.
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. 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. Are there government incentives available? However, the tracker came with an additional cost which was 30% higher than the stationary rack. is typically measured in Giga-Joules (GJ) for natural gas, although several other measures of thermal energy are also used. These can be micro-inverters that are mounted under the modules or string inverters that are mounted near the distribution panel. Electrical energy is the amount of electricity used in an hour and is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Installing solar for you business will lower electricity and operational costs, allowing you to focus and what matters most for your business. 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.
Ground-mount systems are either stationary or are on systems that track the sun (trackers). Installing solar panels produces clean energy, has a low carbon footprint and helps reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. 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. Regular cleaning is needed more often in the proximity of certain trees, spaying operations, or soot. Solar power is low maintenance. For winter production, set it at latitude +15. As mentioned above, another common concern with Edmonton solar panels is the fact that Edmonton usually receives a large amount of snowfall every year. , which were more common in the past, and at a utility scale. Visit our webpage to learn about various careers in the solar industry. While the average household in Alberta consumes about 7200 kWh electricity per year, your own consumption depends on several factors, including: Yes. Such practices take advantage of the sun for lighting and space heating to significantly reduce the use of electrical or mechanical equipment.
The last several years have seen exponential growth. This is to comply with safety regulations. In Alberta, this would require a solar PV system of around 6000 installed Watts to reach net-zero electricity use on a yearly basis. A utility-scale solar farm produces electricity from ground-mount solar modules and supplies this electricity into the transmission grid. 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. 
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. according to an article from the Calgary Herald. Click here to learn more about battery energy storage equipment. At the moment in Alberta there is not an industrial recycling facility for Solar PV. Solar energy can be harnessed only during the day and only if the sunlight is not blocked by clouds, buildings or other obstacles. Systems are eligible for $1.00/W up to the $5,000 limit (5 kW). There is no grid for residential heating so the thermal energy must be stored on site or dissipated. Lately, more and more people have been concerned about the environment and are thinking of what they can do to pollute less. If you wanted a low-cost way of generating green energy, solar energy may not be for you. As we mentioned before, solar power systems could cost between $13,750 and $15,000, depending on how many kilowatts the system is. Solar power can save you money. Many Albertans find value in installing solar modules on even very small roofs, like garages or row houses. 
are the oldest ones still in use. Optimizers increase the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) of string inverters. The small scale generator is paid monthly by the Balancing Pool, who liaises with the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) to coordinate payments for energy supplied to the grid. Changing the tilt angle twice a year will typically increase annual production by 4-5%. Many of these systems utilize potentially lethal high voltage DC electricity (up to 600V). Solar panels arent environmentally friendly to produce. These projects are regulated through the Electric Utilities Act and same mechanisms that regulate other large electric utilities. At night, or during periods of insufficient solar production, the utility grid will seamlessly meet your needs for electricity. There is no grid for residential heating so the thermal energy must be stored on site or dissipated. If you encounter a term that you are unfamiliar with please refer to our Glossary. 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. , particularly those related to exchanging power through the power pool. An article by SolarCor translates this energy loss to between $20-$50 worth of energy loss per year. It is generally not recommended, however, it is possible for a homeowner to install a solar PV system on a piece of property which they own and live on. The upfront costs for solar power are expensive. Geothermal heat exchange systems can also be used to cool homes in the summer and heat them in the winter. A layer of snow can reduce your solar array output to zero and winter months are the lowest production months. 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.) Click here to watch a video tutorial. Join our mailing list to receive news and updates about Solar Alberta. This amount of energy loss pales to the amount of energy savings produced annually by using solar panels. Systems can range from 200% 500% efficient.
Solar Modules are tough pieces of equipment that are made to last. Geothermal heat exchange systems can also be used to cool homes in the summer and heat them in the winter. For example, one GJ is equivalent to 278 kWh. How do I get professional design and installation help? 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. search through our Solar Provider Directory to find companies near you. Active solar thermal systems use sunlight to heat domestic water, or for space heating, pool heating or other heating applications. A layer of snow can reduce your solar array output to zero and winter months are the lowest production months. The Alberta Municipal Solar Program is offering a range of rebates depending on the system size. Large micro-generators receive credits for sending energy to the grid at an hourly wholesale market price. Electricity is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar thermal and solar PV are the main techniques and technologies used today for producing/generating solar energy. Electrical energy is the amount of electricity used in an hour and is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). 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. In other words, net solar production at the end of a year should not exceed usage. (AESO) to coordinate payments for energy supplied to the grid. 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. Installing solar on your home is simple, fast, environmentally friendly and will save you money. This is called Net Billing and requires a Solar PV Utility Interactive system to feed back to the grid. use sunlight to heat domestic water, or for space heating, pool heating or other heating applications. While the energy that they produce is clean. 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. The AESO oversees the installation and operation of utility-scale solar. Systems can range from 200% 500% efficient. Depending on where you are in the city, it can be quite noisy. Looking for cheaper electricity or natural gas? Trackers are ground mounted systems that move to follow the sun. The Canadian government if offering up to $5000 back for the purchase of electric vehicles. 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. You dont have to have a large roof to have a system that meets your needs. However, a, NAIT study showed that snow coverage only reduces productivity by 3%, NAIT/City of Edmonton Reference Array System on the SESA website. 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. Are Alberta and Canada falling behind when it comes to recycling solar equipment?
Customers are free to purchase natural gas services or electricity services from a retailer of their choice. A module is made of an aluminum frame, silicon solar cells, glass and semiconductor material. The small scale generator is paid monthly by the. Both solar PV and solar thermal systems can be designed to integrate into the building construction. Adding a solar power system can actually help your home sell faster as well as get you more money for your home. It shuts down DC energy coming into the building. In other words, net solar production at the end of a year should not exceed usage. Passive solar technologies are the oldest ones still in use. 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. 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. 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. If the utility grid goes down, your solar system will also shut down until the grid is once again available. Any excess solar production is exported to the grid during the day. make the system more expensive, so most Albertans choose to install grid-tie PV systems without battery back-up. offering training for existing professionals to gain skills and gain certificates, diplomas, and degrees in solar. ), City of Edmonton - EV & EV Charger Rebate Page. All thermal energy measures can be converted to kWh to develop your combined energy profile. 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. Off-grid system owners have greater needs during the winter months. A solar panel consists of solar cells connected in a series, forming a solar module. Solar thermal and solar PV are the main techniques and technologies used today for producing/generating solar energy. Is the price of solar going to drop more? They contain toxic heavy metals, such as cadmium and lead, so proper disposal is important. Find a better rate with Canadas top energy comparison site. These projects are regulated through the, to learn about various careers in the solar industry. At this speed the force would also destroy roof shingles, building siding, and windows as well. Typically, a passive solar system involves the strategic location of buildings and elements such as windows, overhangs, and thermal masses. On a related note, solar power systems are slow to pay for themselves it could take between 12 and 20 years for some solar power systems to achieve solar payback. Therefore, the general rule of thumb for the best annual production is to set the tilt angle equivalent to the latitude. Other energy savings projects also qualify for funding, but all require EnerGuide evaluations before & after the measures are implemented. All other adjustments should be made by an electrical professional.
Clearing snow can squeeze a few more kiloWatt-hours (kWh) from your system. A 2016 study by the International Renewable Energy Agency estimated the recyclable materials in old solar modules will be worth at least $15 billion in recoverable value by 2050. Solar batteries can cost between $5,000 and $7,000 and may require replacing every five to 15 years. whether its a single-detached house, an apartment, or a condo), Many Albertans find value in installing solar modules on even very small roofs, like garages or row houses. If you buy for 8 cents per kilowatt hour you will be credited at 8 cents per kilowatt hour. These projects benefit from simplified connection procedures and options to avoid the administrative burden of dealing directly with the power pool. 
It is common for solar systems to produce more than they consume in the summer months and then less than they consume during the winter months. Battery systems can be combined with back-up generators in case solar PV systems are not producing enough electricity to meet a buildings demands. If the current home youre living in isnt your forever home, not to worry. Grid-connected solar PV systems do not require batteries. The long term prognosis is that, because of economies of scale, prices will continue to drop for solar power generation. Plus, generating solar power in Edmonton also helps create green jobs that will help with maintaining Edmontons energy system. A utility-scale solar farm produces electricity from thousands of ground-mount solar panels and supplies this electricity into the transmission grid.
So, most countries have a lot of catching up to do. 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). Solar heated water is stored in a hot water tank so it can be used at night or the next morning. The regulation also provides special opportunities for community generation projects, enabling involvement of certain groups in small-scale generation development, like community groups, municipalities, agricultural societies, rural and urban co-ops, universities, schools, Indigenous communities, non-profits, societies, and condominium corporations. However, the special considerations for community generation projects in the regulation itself are limited foremost, a sharing of costs of connection with the relevant distribution utility. for more detail and data on the effect of snow. The number of Alberta solar systems is growing rapidly. Solar power is silent. A tracker is also more vulnerable to break down since it has a number of moving parts. Energy storage is expensive. 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. Click here to learn more about Community Solar. 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. We recommend you investigate different career opportunities, past presentations, volunteer, and network to get connected to the solar industry. 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. There are two types of solar thermal systems: Passive and active. 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. 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. A solar module will produce the most electricity when it is perpendicular to the rays of the sun. 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. There are ongoing discussions in Alberta about improving the price paid for solar electricity. Visually inspect your solar array and periodically check its performance. When multiple modules/panels are combined in a sequence, this is referred to as a solar array. Your homes size and type (i.e. Click here to learn more about Community Solar. 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. 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. These projects benefit from simplified connection procedures and options to avoid the administrative burden of dealing directly with the power pool. 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? 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. 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. You can also find companies in our directory who provide a wide variety of other services for the renewable energy industry. 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. We encourage everyone to add their solar project to the Alberta Solar Map. If power back-up is a concern of yours, then you should consider a special synchronous inverter with an appropriately sized battery bank. Solar homes can sell for more money. Terminology and how energy is measured for solar systems. 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. The average Alberta household consumes about 7200 kWh of electricity per year. It does not shut down the solar modules. Solar panels only require cleaning a few times per year. That isnt necessarily affordable for everyone. Therefore, it often makes sense for them to change the tilt twice a year, at the spring and autumn equinoxes. If you live in Edmonton, please check out the, The number of Alberta solar systems is growing rapidly. Keep in mind, some of the oldest solar modules are still operating, and the equipment life spans decades. Small micro-generators receive credits for sending energy to the grid on a monthly basis at retail rates. 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. If you live in Edmonton, please check out the NAIT/City of Edmonton Reference Array System on the SESA website for more detail. Solar power is environmentally friendly. Micro-generators receive credits for electricity produced but not consumed. What is the size of a small-scale generation system? The average Alberta home uses 600 to 800 kWh per month as is shown on the monthly electric utility bill. 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. 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. A utility-scale solar farm produces electricity from ground-mount solar modules and supplies this electricity into the transmission grid. Find out more on our Solar Finance page. Albertas micro-generation regulation is overseen by the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC). Completely covering even one cell of a solar module can potentially affect the performance of the entire array. These techniques make for more. However, the tracker came with an additional cost which was 30% higher than the stationary rack. It is designed to protect first responders. is measured in kilowatts (kW). that either fastens your panels to the roof of a building (rooftop), or to the ground (ground-mount). Click here to learn more about how solar cells produce electricity. With the tracker, the annual output was 31% higher than the stationary array. See the Government of Alberta. Creating and Maintaining your Business Profile. Ground mount arrays are usually easier to access than roof mounts. Battery systems can be combined with back-up generators in case solar PV systems are not producing enough electricity to meet a buildings demands. Any excess solar production is exported to the grid during the day. YES! Solar PV systems have drastically dropped in price over the last 20 years. 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. 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 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%. Any excess exported to the utility grid will be recorded as a credit. The last several years have seen exponential growth. Solar Disconnect / Rapid Shutdown box is a safety feature required of solar arrays. Most on-grid system owners do not change the angle of their array ever. Building-integrated solar design incorporates solar modules or collectors on windows, exterior walls, roofs, or can even be contained within banisters and railings. Ultimately, whether to clear the snow or not is a decision that every solar system owner must make for themselves. The Canadian government is offering up to $5,000 back for solar installations for existing homes! 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. It is possible for hail to damage solar modules, but it would require 1 hail moving at 88kph.
