Why Calgary Businesses Should Consider Commercial Solar Solutions

Calgary businesses can benefit from commercial solar by saving money and generating their energy, all while decreasing their carbon footprint. Given Calgary’s wealth of sunshine, adopting solar energy is a profitable and eco-friendly investment for Calgary businesses.

Installing solar panels almost always leads to more effective cost stabilization, energy independence, sustainability goal achievement, and increased property values! Transitioning to renewable energy solutions goes hand-in-hand with Calgary’s expanding green agenda.

Find out how solar energy can improve your commercial property in the post below.

Why Calgary Businesses Should Go Solar

With an average of 2,383 hours of sun each year, Calgary is an ideal place to harness solar energy. Businesses can save between 40% and 70% on their energy usage, drastically reducing utility expenses. Beyond the environmental impacts, solar panels provide long-term savings, with a return on investment seen within just a few years.

When coupled with other federal incentives, such as the Clean Technology Investment Tax Credit, these incentives lower the upfront costs even more, making solar more accessible than ever. By going solar, you’ll be doing your part to advance sustainability by lowering greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels.

On large systems, every $1 million in solar investment reduces CO2 emissions by more than 150 metric tons per year. Beyond cost savings, benefits include energy independence, enhanced property values, and improved brand reputation, aligning with corporate social responsibility goals.

Financial Incentives for Commercial Solar in Calgary

Calgary provides a range of attractive financial incentives to help local businesses make long-term investments in solar energy. The Alberta Municipal Solar Program reduces upfront costs with rebates for commercial installations.

At the same time, the City of Calgary’s Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP) offers low-interest loans, repaid through property taxes. With net metering, businesses can return extra energy to the grid and further increase their savings over time.

At the federal level, programs like the Clean Technology Investment Tax Credit and the Accelerated Investment Tax Credit allow businesses to recoup up to 30% of their solar installation costs. This provides them with enormous tax savings.

Loans like the Canada Greener Homes Loan cover retrofits interest-free. When combined with revenue opportunities from carbon offsets, these incentives create a perfect storm where solar is a smart, sustainable, and profitable decision for Calgary businesses.

Environmental Impact of Commercial Solar

Adopting commercial solar energy in Calgary helps combat climate change by using the cleanest, most abundant form of energy on the planet. Solar systems allow commercial enterprises to reduce their environmental footprint and take tangible strides toward reversing climate change.

Solar panels greatly reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, helping to create a more sustainable energy future. The environmental advantages of solar are clear—from decreasing greenhouse gas emissions to enhancing air quality and conserving limited natural resources.

A solar system’s lifecycle impact includes its manufacturing, operational life, and recyclability, all of which are improving with continued technological innovations. Durable panels usually last more than 25 years with little maintenance required.

Further, these systems pay themselves off in about 10 years, providing businesses with significant savings as they reduce their reliance on the grid. Solar’s cost-effectiveness is perfectly in step with Calgary’s efforts to develop more sustainable energy options.

How Commercial Solar Works

Commercial solar systems work by using photovoltaic cells, which are found inside solar panels, to convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity.

Inverters convert the raw DC power produced by the solar panels into the alternating current (AC) electricity that most commercial buildings use. Elements such as mounting systems make sure panels are firmly anchored in place, and batteries hold surplus energy for use at different times.

With integration into the electrical grid, energy resources can be distributed seamlessly, meeting demand and providing Calgarians with consistent power even through Calgary’s unpredictable weather.

The installation process includes site assessment, system design, permitting, equipment procurement, installation, and final commissioning.

Factors such as panel orientation, shading, and sunlight availability are crucial for efficiency.

Solar panels, with warranties of up to 25 years, offer durable, low-maintenance energy solutions, reducing electricity costs significantly over decades.

Economic Benefits of Solar for Calgary Businesses

Investing in solar energy provides Calgary businesses with significant economic benefits. By decreasing their dependence on grid electricity, businesses would see significant energy cost savings of 75% or more over the lifetime of the system.

Between 2010 and 2021, the price of solar panels has plummeted – a full 90% drop in price. Today, they have an accessible, long-term solution to this problem, offering up to 40 years of free electricity generation.

Additionally, businesses with excess energy generation can feed it back into the grid, providing them with another potential stream of income.

Deepening Investments in Solar Real Estate Solar investment positively impacts property value and provides increased tax incentives. Under Canada’s clean technology tax credit, businesses can claim a 30% refundable credit on the cost of solar projects, in addition to accelerated depreciation benefits.

With many systems paying themselves back in under half their expected lifetime, returns are guaranteed long-term.

Overcoming Challenges in Commercial Solar Projects

Similar challenges exist for commercial solar installations across the country, including Calgary, where upfront costs and weather-related project delays continue to be major hurdles. Strong financing solutions, such as leasing or government-backed programs, can lighten the load.

While the long Calgary summer days help solar performance, the lower angles of wintertime sunlight and snow cover can greatly impact a system’s efficiency. Additionally, a well-designed system with a 60-degree tilt maximizes winter energy production while minimizing shading complications.

By collaborating with established, knowledgeable solar companies, navigating Calgary’s regulatory environment is a breeze. Durable panels can go a long way in protecting the project against extreme weather.

Maintenance, including professional snow removal and a quarterly solar audit, is critical. Government incentives and warranties of 25 years or more demonstrate undeniable long-term value. Generally speaking, expect payback periods to be in the 6-10 year range.

Success Stories and Case Studies in Calgary

Calgary’s wealth of solar, at an average of 6.70 kW.h/m², makes it naturally suited for larger commercial solar projects. Local members of the business community are using this newfound benefit to be more energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable.

A new advanced manufacturing facility for the Calgary-based company installed a 200 kW system. This action resulted in more than 30% annual energy savings and a dramatic reduction in carbon emissions.

In another case, a national retail chain installed a 150 kW system on their property, reducing their electricity expenses by 25% and enhancing the value of their property. These tangible results motivate additional companies to consider solar applications.

Calgary’s solar incentives make it even easier to adopt solar, a testament to the city’s commitment to sustainability. Below is a summary of successful projects:

Future Trends in Calgary’s Commercial Solar Market

Advancements in solar technology are undeniably reshaping Calgary’s energy landscape. Today’s higher-efficiency panels have overcome the technology to successfully convert more sunlight into electricity. Moreover, integrated energy storage systems allow businesses to store power and consume it during peak demand.

Calgary’s plentiful sunshine—333 days per year—sets the stage for these innovations to have a striking impact. With skyrocketing electricity prices and increasing sustainability targets, local businesses are increasingly going solar, lessening their dependence on the grid and their carbon footprint.

Supportive government policies, such as tax incentives and grants, further stimulate investment. Further trends such as agrivoltaics, solar carports for parking lots, and sleeker-looking panel designs are starting to take hold.

Installations are on track to double annually, hitting 62 megawatts in 2024. With this growth, solar energy will produce more than 3,000 job-years, cementing its quickly growing presence across Western Canada in the coming decade.

Wrapping Up

Making the move to commercial solar in Calgary has tangible advantages. It reduces energy expenditures, maximizes local incentives, and demonstrates a clear commitment to sustainability. Calgary commercial businesses have the opportunity to save long-term. There’s a triple bottom line benefit to going green by improving their environmental footprint, economic position, and social impact—all at once.

The process is fraught with pitfalls, but there are proven solutions. With proper and thorough planning, paired with the help of experienced professionals, solar projects can be successful and yield high-value projects. Hundreds of commercial enterprises across Calgary have jumped onto the solar bandwagon and are reaping the benefits.

If you’re interested in going solar with your business, now is the best time to start looking into it. Connect with skilled local experts to find out how solar can make sense for you. It’s so much more than a sticker. It’s an investment – not only in your future but in Calgary’s future.