Renewable Energy, Solar PV & Thermal

Upgrade ID: DER-001

Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems convert solar energy into electricity for use by the building. The system components work together to optimize electricity generation from the sun, providing renewable electricity for both the building they are connected to and the grid.

Effective Useful Life: 25 years

Eligibility Requirements

• All systems are grid-connected and compliant with the latest version of the Government of Alberta’s Micro-generation Regulation (AR27/2008) and amendments.
• All PV modules and components must be Canadian Standards Association (CSA) or UL certified for use in Canada. All components must be new and not previously used in an energized solar PV system.
• Projects sized greater than 150  kW AC or classified as a “large micro-generation” by the most recently published Alberta Micro-Generation Regulation require operating procedures at the time of installation. For purposes of sizing, the rated output capacity is defined as the combined storage and solar PV system output.
• Warranty periods, from the time of installation, must be, at minimum, the following: Modules: 25-year power performance and 10-year manufacturing warranties; Inverter(s) and any related PV module optimizers: 10-year manufacturing warranty.
• Must have a warranty provided by the Qualified Contractor for defects in materials and labour for a period of not less than one year.

Supporting documents required for Project Application Form

• A contractor quote itemizing:
  • Address of property where the upgrade is being installed
  • Equipment to be installed
  • Make and model number(s)
  • Proposed system size (kW DC)
  • Proposed annual generation (kWh AC)
  • Costs of equipment, system design and development, and installation.
• Equipment specification sheet(s), for all equipment in the system, confirming equipment details.

Supporting documents required for Upgrade Completion Form

• A contractor invoice itemizing:
  • Address of property where the upgrade was installed
  • Installed equipment
  • Make and model number(s)
  • Installed system size (kW DC)
  • Installation date
  • Costs of equipment, system design and development, and installation.
• A copy of the Interconnection and Operating Agreement signed between the micro-generation owner and the wire service provider.
• A copy of the site plan.
• A copy of the single line diagram.
• If the system is greater than 150 kW AC in size (or classified as a “large micro-generation” by the most recently published Alberta Micro-Generation Regulation): a copy of the system’s operating procedures.
• Photos of the fully installed solar PV array, with all modules visible.
• A photo of the inverter(s) installed on the property.
• A photo of the inverter nameplate label (including model and serial number), with all information legible.
• A photo of the module nameplate label (including model and serial number), with all information legible.

Upgrade ID: DER-002

Solar thermal water heating includes thermal tubes or flat plate collectors that capture solar energy and use it to heat water. This may be used for domestic hot water and space heating.

Solar thermal pipe insulation ensures minimal heat is lost before heated water is delivered to fixtures. Pipe insulation is an eligible cost that can be combined with this upgrade to increase energy savings.

Effective Useful Life: 12 years

Eligibility Requirements

• All solar thermal collectors must:
  • Be CSA or UL certified for use in Canada;
  • Minimum of ICC-SRCC OG-100 rating;
  • Solar thermal system components must have a minimum warranty period of 5 years.
• Must replace or supplement an existing hot water heating system.
• Must have a warranty provided by the Qualified Contractor for defects in materials and labour for a period of not less than one year.

Supporting documents required for Project Application Form

• A contractor quote itemizing:
  • Address of property where the upgrade is being installed
  • Equipment to be installed
  • Type of collectors and system
  • Make and model number(s)Proposed system size
  • Proposed annual heat generation.
• Equipment specification sheet(s) confirming equipment details, SRCC OG-100 rating, and CSA Compliance.
• If pipe insulation is being financed, the contractor quote must include:
  • Insulation type
  • Location in home of pipe being insulated
  • Amount (linear metres or feet)
  • Per cent of total area covered
  • Costs of material and installation.

Supporting documents required for Upgrade Completion Form

• A contractor invoice itemizing:
  • Address of property where the upgrade was installed
  • Installed equipment
  • Equipment make and model number(s)
  • Installed system size
  • Installation date
  • Costs of equipment and installation.
• A copy of the site plan
• A copy of the final system schematic (P&ID).
• A photo of the equipment installed on the property.
• Photos of the equipment nameplate labels (including model and serial number), with all information legible.
• If pipe insulation is being financed, the contractor invoice must also include:
  • Insulation type
  • Location in home of the pipe being insulated
  • Amount (linear metres or feet)
  • Per cent of total area covered,
  • Costs of material and installation.

Upgrade ID: DER-005

Battery energy storage systems enable the storage of solar electricity generated on the property, to be used at a later point in time.

Effective Useful Life: 10 years

Eligibility Requirements

• Battery energy storage is eligible only when installed with a new grid-tied solar PV system and used to store energy from the solar PV system.
  • In the City of Edmonton, battery energy storage will be eligible as a stand-alone upgrade provided the participating property has an existing and functioning grid-tied renewable energy system (e.g., solar PV system), to which the battery storage upgrade will be connected. The existing renewable energy system must be listed on the pre-project EnerGuide Homeowner Information Sheet. 
• All components must be CSA certified for use in Canada.
• Warranty period(s) must be a minimum of 10 years, guaranteeing 60% or more of installed storage capacity during the period(s).
• Must be a new lithium-ion battery.
• Must have a warranty provided by the Qualified Contractor for defects in materials and labour for a period of not less than one year.

Supporting documents required for Project Application Form

• A contractor quote itemizing:
  • Address of property where the upgrade is being installed
  • Cost of equipment to be installed
  • Equipment make and model number(s)
  • Size/capacity in Amp hours (Ah)
  • Costs of equipment, system design and development, and installation.
• Specification sheet(s) confirming equipment details.

Supporting documents required for upgrade Completion Form

• A contractor invoice itemizing:
  • Address of property where the upgrade was installed
  • Installed equipment
  • Equipment make and model number(s)
  • Size/capacity in Amp hours (Ah)
  • Installation date
  • Costs of equipment and installation.
• A copy of the Interconnection and Operating Agreement signed between micro-generation owner and the wire service provider for the solar PV system connected to the battery energy storage.
• A single line diagram for the project, demonstrating how the battery energy storage is integrated with the solar PV system.
• A photo of the equipment installed on the property.
• A photo of the equipment nameplate label (including model and serial number) with all information legible.