Solar Energy Incentives In Alberta: It's Just The Beginning

On February 5, 2016, the Government of Alberta announced an investment of more than $5 million into two solar energy programs aimed at growing Alberta's renewable energy sector – the Alberta Municipal Solar Program for Alberta municipalities, and the On-Farm Solar Management Program for eligible farmers. These programs are essentially a province-wide extension of similar small scale programs run in communities such as Banff and Edmonton.

The Alberta Municipal Solar Program ("AMSP") will provide incentives for the installation of solar photovoltaics on municipal buildings through a rebate ($ per watt) of up to 20 percent of capital costs or $300,000 per project. The On-Farm Solar Management Program ("OFSMP") will provide eligible farmers with a grant of up to 25 percent of the costs of installation of small scale solar photovoltaic systems, up to a maximum of $50,000 per application. In total, the two programs are expected to provide funding for 160 projects across