Solar projects progressing: Insights on three renewable energy initiatives underway
Going Solar in Canada: A Comprehensive Guide
Embrace the sun with solar energy! Here's a lowdown on what you need to know about installing solar panels in the Great White North, complete with real-life examples and some nifty insights.
Our Green Fellows Share Their Stories
Megan Foy, a passionate green enthusiast, and Anne-Louise Lalancette, a residential solar panel owner from Saint-Mathias-sur-Richelieu, walked us through their solar journeys.
- Year of installation: 2019 for Foy and Lalancette in 2020
- Reasons for purchase: interest in solar energy, attractive subsidies, and the allure of better energy efficiency
- Number of panels: 28 and 24, respectively
- Batteries: no for Foy, yes for Lalancette
- Total price of panels and installation: around $35,000 and $20,000–$25,000
- Annual electricity bill savings: several hundred dollars for both
Yves-Christian Lavoie, a proud owner of an off-grid system and a solar-powered cottage in Alma, also shared his experience.
- Year of installation: 2023
- Reasons for purchase: great off-grid experience, major power outage during Christmas 2022, and federal subsidies
- Number of panels: 28, including 12 on his garage
- Batteries: yes
- Total price of panels and installation: approximately $32,000
- Monthly savings on electricity bill: approximately $100 (before electric vehicle ownership)
- Subsidy: $5,000 (Canadian Initiative for Greener Homes)
A(n) (Un)Fraudulent Subsidy
Take note, solar seekers: Subsidies can be a great way to lighten the financial load of going solar. However, always do your homework, as one subsidy, the Green Fund of America’s Indigenous People, was exposed as fraudulent in 2020. If you're a potential recipient, be sure to stay vigilant.
The Cost of Harnessing Solar Energy
The cost of installing solar panels in the beloved land of Mounties averages between $17,000 and $20,000, excluding subsidies. The final price can fluctuate based on factors like system size, installation locale, and labor costs.
Subsidies and Incentives: A Helping Hand
Canada offers a variety of subsidies and incentives to lower the initial investment required for solar panel installations:
- Federal Incentives: Think federal tax credits or rebates that could save you a bundle (specifications vary)
- Provincial Incentives: Every province boasts its own rebates and incentives. For instance, Ontario's programs offset costs, while British Columbia supports renewable energy installations
- Utility Grants: Some utilities provide special grants for solar panel installations
- Zero-Interest Loans: A few provinces offer attractive financing options, like interest-free loans, to make solar energy more reachable
Navigating the Subsidy Minefield
To snag these incentives, look to government websites or solar installation companies for assistance. Keep in mind that programs may change, so it's crucial to check with your local or provincial government for the most current information.
Provincial Programs Aplenty
- Ontario: Rebates through programs like the Ontario Trillium Benefit and utilities' special grants
- Other Provinces: Each province showcases its own unique incentives, like British Columbia's CleanBC Program that supports renewable energy installations
- Megan Foy and Anne-Louise Lalancette, both from Canada, invested in solar energy in 2019 and 2020, respectively, drawn by interests in renewable energy, attractive subsidies, and energy efficiency.
- Yves-Christian Lavoie, an off-grid resident, installed solar panels and batteries on his Alma property in 2023, inspired by the federal subsidy program Canadian Initiative for Greener Homes, which awarded him $5,000.
- The solar panel industry in Canada advises solar enthusiasts to be cautious of potential fraudulent subsidies, like the Green Fund of America’s Indigenous People, which was exposed as fraudulent in 2020.
- The average cost of installing solar panels in Canada ranges from approximately $17,000 to $20,000, excluding subsidies, and may fluctuate based on factors such as system size, location, and labor costs.
- To help reduce the initial investment for solar panel installations, Canada provides various subsidies and incentives like federal tax credits, provincial rebates, utility grants, and zero-interest loans.
- To take advantage of these incentives, researchers can consult government websites or solar installation companies, as programs may change, and it's important to stay updated with the most current information from local or provincial governments.
