Edmonton gets more sunshine than most people assume, and the micro-generation rules in Alberta make it one of the better provinces in Canada to own solar. This guide covers what Edmonton homeowners, acreage owners and business owners ask us before they go solar, and how Simply Renewable, a Calgary-based installer working across Alberta, handles projects in Edmonton and the surrounding communities.
Does solar work well in Edmonton?
Yes. Edmonton averages well over 2,000 hours of sunshine a year, which puts it among the sunniest major cities in Canada. Long summer days produce a surplus that is exported to the grid and credited on your bill, and those credits carry you through the shorter winter days. Cold weather helps rather than hurts: panels are more efficient at low temperatures than in summer heat.
A typical Edmonton home system is sized to offset 80 to 100 percent of annual electricity use. The exact number depends on your roof orientation, shading, and how much power you use, which is why every proposal starts with your actual bill.
How micro-generation works with EPCOR
EPCOR owns the distribution wires in Edmonton, and your retailer bills you for the energy. Once your system is approved as a micro-generator, a bi-directional meter tracks what you import and what you export. Exported power is credited on your bill at your retailer’s rate, and some retailers offer solar-specific plans that pay a premium for summer exports. Read more about solar rate plans in Alberta.
We handle the micro-generation application and the meter request as part of every Edmonton install. You do not need to call anyone.
Permits and approvals in Edmonton
Electrical permit and inspection through the City of Edmonton
Micro-generation approval through EPCOR before the system is energized
A development permit where roof type or zoning requires one
Permission to Operate from the utility before we switch the system on
We pull every permit and book every inspection. See the full seven-step process from design to permission to operate.
Winter, snow and hail
Snow slides off tilted panels on most sunny days, and production recovers quickly once the surface clears. We design Edmonton systems around full-year production, not just July, so the summer surplus covers the darker months. Racking is engineered for Alberta snow loads, and panels carry 25-year hail coverage alongside a 30-year production warranty.
Financing options for Edmonton property owners
The Canada Greener Homes Loan has ended, but Edmonton property owners still have several ways to pay: a Financeit monthly plan, Simply Renewable in-house financing, a HELOC, or a straight cash purchase. There is no deposit to get started. At your consultation we put your monthly payment next to your current power bill so you can compare before deciding. Compare the current financing options.
Commercial and acreage solar around Edmonton
Alongside residential installs, we design systems for shops, warehouses, farm buildings and multi-unit properties in the Edmonton region. Commercial projects start with a production and rate analysis so the system matches your operating profile, and we manage permits, utility approval and commissioning end to end.
Do you travel to Edmonton from Calgary?
Yes. We are based in Calgary and install in Edmonton and the surrounding communities, including St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Spruce Grove, Leduc, Fort Saskatchewan and acreages in between. Travel is built into your proposal up front, consultations can be in person or virtual, and the same crew standards apply whether the job is in Calgary or three hours north.
Get a free Edmonton solar assessment
Send us a copy of your power bill and we will design a system for your roof, show projected production, and compare financing options side by side. No deposit, no pressure. Call 825-964-1335 or use the Free Quote button at the top of this page.