Calgary is our home base and where most of our installs are. It is also one of the sunniest cities in Canada, with a utility framework that pays you for surplus power. This guide covers what Calgary homeowners, acreage owners and business owners ask us before going solar, from permits and hail to financing and timelines.
Calgary sunshine and solar production
Calgary averages around 2,400 hours of sunshine a year and sits at a high elevation with clear, cold winters. That combination is close to ideal for solar: long summer days build up micro-generation credits, and cold temperatures keep panels running efficiently. Most Calgary homes we design offset 80 to 100 percent of their annual electricity use. See recent Calgary installs.
ENMAX and micro-generation in Calgary
ENMAX owns the wires in Calgary, and your retailer bills you for energy. Once your system is approved as a micro-generator, a bi-directional meter records what you import and export, and exported power is credited at your retailer’s rate. Some retailers offer solar-specific plans that pay a premium for summer exports. We submit the micro-generation application and the meter request on every Calgary install. Read about solar rate plans.
City of Calgary permits
Electrical permit and inspection through the City of Calgary
Building permit where the roof structure requires it
Micro-generation approval from ENMAX before the system is energized
Permission to Operate before we switch the system on
We pull every permit and book every inspection. See our seven-step process.
Hail in Calgary
Calgary sits in hail alley, and every homeowner here has a hail story. Every panel we install carries 25-year hail coverage alongside a 30-year production warranty, and the racking is engineered for Alberta wind and snow loads. Modern tempered-glass panels are tested to withstand large hailstones, and in practice they often protect the roof underneath them.
CEIP and financing in Calgary
Calgary has offered the Clean Energy Improvement Program, which lets eligible homeowners finance solar through their property taxes. Alongside CEIP, Calgary property owners can use a Financeit monthly plan, Simply Renewable in-house financing, a HELOC, or cash. The Canada Greener Homes Loan has ended. There is no deposit to get started, and we compare your monthly payment with your current power bill before you decide. Compare the options.
How long does a Calgary install take?
Most residential installs are completed in one to two days on site. From consultation to Permission to Operate, the whole process typically runs six to twelve weeks depending on permit and utility timelines. More timing questions answered.
Commercial and acreage solar around Calgary
We design systems for shops, warehouses, farm buildings and multi-unit properties across Calgary, Airdrie, Cochrane, Okotoks, Chestermere, Strathmore and the surrounding counties. Commercial projects start with a production and rate analysis so the system matches your operating profile.
Why Calgary property owners choose Simply Renewable
Based in Calgary, with a 5.0 rating across more than 60 Google reviews
No deposit, transparent pricing, no pushy sales tactics
One team from design through permits, installation and permission to operate
30-year production warranty and 25-year hail coverage on every panel
Get a free Calgary solar assessment
Send us a recent power bill and we will design a system for your roof, project its production, and compare financing side by side. No deposit, no pressure. Call 825-964-1335 or use the Free Quote button at the top of this page.