Learn About Solar

Aerial view of Calgary from River ParkInstalling renewable solar panels — Bavaria, GermanyCalgary suburb — Rockies in the backgroundWorker installing solar panels on a residential roof
Solar in the Wild

Aerial view of Calgary from River Park

Photo · Unsplash · Free to use

How It Works

From Sunlight to Savings

1

Sunlight Hits Panels

Silicon cells in PV panels absorb photons and knock electrons loose, creating direct current (DC) electricity.

ROI at a Glance
Yr 0Yr 12Yr 25Break-even
Avg. install cost~$14,000
After rebates~$9,000
Annual savings~$1,200
Payback period7–9 yrs
25-yr net return~$25,000
ENMAX Community Solar Fund
Solar for All
In partnership with ENMAX, The City provides solar systems to Calgarians through the ENMAX Community Solar Fund.
Calgary's Climate Goal
Net-Zero by 2050
Solar investments support Calgary's goal to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, guided by the Calgary Climate Strategy and Climate Implementation Plan.
Calgary Facts
#1
Sunniest major city in Canada
Sunshine Advantages
2,396 sunshine hours/yr at Calgary Int'l Airport — Environment Canada's official 1991–2020 climate normal
Data Sources
City of Calgary — Solar Energy — Programs, City projects & residential resources
Calgary Open Data — Solar Production Sites — City-owned facility dataset
Environment Canada — 1991–2020 Climate Normals — Calgary sunshine hours & weather data
Natural Resources Canada — Current federal & provincial financial incentives
FAQ

Common Questions

The City of Calgary states that Calgary gets an average of over 2,300 hours of sunshine each year, making it "perfect for solar energy." Environment Canada's 1991–2020 climate normals record 2,396 sunshine hours per year at Calgary International Airport — more than Toronto, Vancouver, or Ottawa — and 333 days per year with measured sunshine. Despite cold winters, Calgary's thin dry air and high elevation (1,045m) enhance solar panel efficiency. Cold temperatures actually improve photovoltaic performance by 0.4% per °C below 25°C.
Alberta's main financial incentive is the Micro-Generation Regulation, requiring utilities to credit excess solar power at the full retail electricity rate (~$0.13–0.18/kWh). Alberta levies no provincial sales tax — solar equipment is only subject to 5% federal GST. The City of Calgary also works with ENMAX to provide solar systems through the ENMAX Community Solar Fund. Note: The Canada Greener Homes Grant closed February 2024. Visit Natural Resources Canada for current federal programs.
The City of Calgary operates over 24 solar PV systems on its buildings, collectively producing over 7 megawatts of power. These projects support Calgary's net-zero by 2050 goal and aim for a 10–12 year payback. Highlights: Shepard WMF (4,334 kWp, 10,800 panels, ~750 homes powered); Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant (626.7 kW, 100+ homes); Southland Leisure Centre, Calgary's first large installation (2015, 153 kW); and Haskayne Legacy Park (33.6 kW, near net-zero building).
Under Alberta's Micro-Generation Regulation, your utility company must purchase excess solar electricity you generate at the same retail rate you pay. This means your meter runs backwards when you produce more than you use, and you receive credits on your bill. Any net energy exported over a billing period is credited to the following month. At year-end, unused credits expire, so system sizing to match your consumption is important.
Yes! While production is lower in winter (Calgary averages 70–90 sun hours in Dec/Jan vs 310 in July), panels still generate meaningful electricity. Snow slides off quickly due to panels' smooth glass surface and angle. Cold temperatures actually boost panel efficiency by 0.4% per degree Celsius below 25°C — so a clear January day can see excellent performance. Modern panels also capture diffuse light on overcast days.
A typical Calgary home uses 9,000–10,000 kWh per year. To offset 80–100% of usage, you'd need approximately a 7–9 kW system requiring 18–23 panels (400W each) covering 35–45 m² of roof. The City of Calgary provides a free Residential Solar Calculator to estimate your home's solar potential, costs, savings, and environmental benefits. Systems typically range from 4 kW (small home) to 15+ kW (large home or EV charging).
Modern solar panels are warrantied for 25–30 years and typically last 35–40+ years. They degrade at approximately 0.5% per year, so after 25 years they still produce about 87% of their original output. Inverters (the component converting DC to AC) have a shorter lifespan of 10–15 years and will likely need one replacement over the system's lifetime. Calgary's hail events are worth discussing with installers — many use hail-rated panels.