Renewable Energy, Solar PV & Thermal

Upgrade ID: DER-001

Eligible Upgrade Description

• 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 modules/systems are grid-connected and compliant with 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. All components must be new and not previously used in an energized solar array. Projects sized greater than 150 KW 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 output is defined as the combined storage and microgeneration (e.g., solar PV system) outputs.
• 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/or micro-inverter(s): 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.
• City of Edmonton additional eligibility requirements: The PV system must be designed to produce a solar yield that is at least 70% of a system with optimal azimuth and tilt at that location. The solar yield is automatically calculated in the Part I application screen of the Edmonton Solar Rebate Program. Solar PV system expansions are not eligible for rebates through the Edmonton Solar Rebate program.

Supporting documents required for Project Application Form

• A contractor quote itemizing the equipment to be installed, make and model number(s), proposed system size (kW DC), proposed annual generation at meter (kWh), and costs of equipment and installation.
• Documentation that includes the name of the property’s utility/service provider and site ID (13-digit number on the electricity bill).
• Equipment specification sheet(s) confirming equipment details.
• City of Edmonton supporting documentation: Confirmation of pre-Part I approval for Edmonton’s Solar Rebate Program must be received with the CEIP Application.

Supporting documents required for Upgrade Completion Form

• A contractor invoice itemizing the installed equipment, make and model number(s), installed system size (kW DC), installation date, and costs of equipment and installation.
• A copy of the “Micro-generation Agreement” (also called the “Interconnection and Operating Agreement”).
• A copy of the site plan and single line diagram.
• If the system is greater than 150 KW 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 and a photo of the inverter installed on the property.
• Photos of the inverter and module nameplate labels, with all information legible.
• City of Edmonton supporting documentation: Confirmation of Part 2 approval for Edmonton’s Solar Rebate Program must be received with the CEIP Upgrade Completion package.

Upgrade ID: DER-002

Eligible Upgrade Description

• Solar thermal water heating includes thermal tubes 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 (required for projects in the City of Edmonton) is an eligible upgrade 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. A residential minimum of SRCC OG-100 rating; and solar thermal system components must have a minimum warranty period of 5 years. The system 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.
• City of Edmonton additional eligibility requirements: The insulation of exposed pipe, as it relates to the operation of the system, must be installed with the solar thermal system. If not already installed, the pipe insulation must be completed by the same Qualified Contractor completing the installation of the system.

Supporting documents required for Project Application Form

• A contractor quote itemizing the equipment to be installed, type of collectors and system, make and model number(s), proposed system size, and proposed annual heat generation.
• A copy of the proposed site plan and system design schematic.
• Equipment specification sheet(s) confirming equipment details, SRCC OG-100 rating, and CSA Compliance.
• If pipe insulation is being installed, the contractor quote must include the insulation type, location, amount (linear metres or feet), and per cent of total area covered, costs of material and installation, and applicable material specification sheet(s).

Supporting documents required for Upgrade Completion Form

• A contractor invoice itemizing the installed equipment, equipment make and model number(s), installed system size, installation date, and costs of equipment and installation.
• A copy of the final system schematic (P&ID).
• A photo of the equipment installed on the property.
• Photos of the equipment nameplate labels, with all information legible.
• If pipe insulation is being installed, the contractor invoice must include insulation type, location, amount (linear metres or feet), per cent of total area covered, costs of material and installation, and applicable material specification sheet(s). In addition, a photo of the pipe insulation installed as part of the solar thermal system is required.

Upgrade ID: DER-005

Eligible Upgrade Description

• Battery energy storage systems enable the storage of renewable energy produced on the property, which may 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 array and used to store energy from the array. All components must be CSA certified, and warranty period(s) must be a minimum of 10 years, guaranteeing 60% or more of installed storage capacity during the period(s).
• The upgrade 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 the cost of equipment to be installed, equipment make and model number(s), size/capacity, and costs of equipment and installation.
• Specification sheet(s) confirming equipment details.
• A single line diagram for the project, demonstrating how the battery energy storage will be integrated into the solar PV array.

Supporting documents required for Completion Form

• A contractor invoice itemizing the installed equipment, equipment make and model number(s), size/capacity, installation date, and costs of equipment and installation.
• A copy of the Interconnection and Operating Agreement signed between micro-generation owner and the wire service provider(s) for the solar PV system connected to the battery energy storage.
• A photo of the equipment installed on the property.
• A photo of the equipment nameplate label with all information legible.