Solar Incentive Program

Solar

Solar Rebate

The Town of Banff encourages property owners to install solar photovoltaic systems that produce renewable electricity. The program is funded from the environmental reserve, which is generated through a franchise fee that the electrical utility pays to use the space under the streets to run its wires for providing electricity.

The Town is currently accepting applications for solar PV rebates from both Residential and Commercial customers.  Applications should be submitted in the form of a Development Permit application, as described below.  Applicants are encouraged to contact the Town for a preliminary review of their project prior to submitting a Development Permit application

How Does the Program Work?

The Town of Banff Solar PV Program is a post-install rebate program, with funding based on the size of solar system installed. Eligible participants install a solar PV system on their home or business, and then receive a financial rebate from the Town, based on the size of the solar system installed. The Town provides eligible participants with a rebate of $750/kilowatt (kW) of solar capacity installed, to a maximum of 20 kW.  

Eligibility

  • The solar program is available for both residential and commercial properties.
  • Only one application will be allowed per individual property.

Terms & Conditions

  • All projects must meet development, building and electrical safety code requirements. Minimum installation requirements are a 2 kW solar electric system.
  • All electrical systems must be CSA or ULC approved for installation in Canada.
  • Applicants are responsible to complete the project and submit the necessary paperwork to receive the rebate, including a completed Microgeneration Agreement with Fortis.
  • Town of Banff Building and Development permits are required for solar panels but associated fees are waived.
  • Town of Banff Solar Panel Design Guidelines (PDF) describe requirements for the visual integration of solar panels on buildings for land use districts throughout the community.
  • Eligible applicants must commit to participate in sharing the story and data of their solar installation with the community in various ways including, but not limited to: articles in the local newspaper, Facebook, YouTube, and the Town of Banff website.

 How to Participate – A Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Have your property assessed by a solar installer. These assessments are usually free, and tell you what size of solar array you are able to install and the approximate cost. Applicants should choose service providers that are familiar with the details of this program. Visit the CanSIA Member Directory or Solar Energy Society of Alberta to find installers/contractors serving Banff.
  2. The solar installer will work with you to complete the following steps:
    • Apply for all necessary permits:
      • Town of Banff development permit (fees waived). The Town uses the Solar Panel Design Guidelines (PDF) to ensure solar installations are visually integrated with the buildings to which they are attached.
      • Town of Banff building permit (fees waived)
      • Micro-generation application and agreement
      • Electrical permit
    • Installation of the solar PV system
    • Electrical inspections and grid connection
  3. Once your solar system is complete, submit documentation to the Town of Banff that demonstrates that your solar PVsystem has been installed and is generating renewable electricity. The Town of Banff requires that the following documentation be submitted.
    • Micro-generation agreement
    • Interconnection agreement with wire service provider
    • Certificate of inspection – wire service provider
    • Detailed receipt or invoice for solar installation
  4. This documentation will be provided to you by your solar installer. Submit these documents via email to Kerry MacInnis, Administrative Assistant, Planning, Town of Banff, call 403.762.1215 c/o PO Box 1260, Banff, AB T1L 1A1.
  5. The Town of Banff will issue you a solar rebate cheque.
  6. Generate and use renewable solar electricity, and save on your electricity bill!


Learn More 

Solar Program Wins Prestigious Emerald Award for Innovation The Town of Banff’s Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Rebate was recognized June 8, 2016 by the Alberta Emerald Foundation at the 25th Annual Emerald Awards (PDF) , which celebrate outstanding environmental achievements across all sectors in Alberta.

Solar Panel Installations in Banff

Banff experiences an average of 15 hours of daylight in summer and over nine hours in winter. A solar photovoltaic system has no minimum requirement of hours to work, and will generate power even on cloudy days, as long as the panels are not shaded by trees or other structures. The Town of Banff has invested in solar at several municipal buildings.

Waste Transfer Station

The Waste Transfer Station is the fourth largest electricity user in the Town of Banff’s facilities portfolio and is home to the municipality’s second-largest solar PV array. The Waste Transfer Station’s 100 kilowatt (kW) solar PV array was installed by Skyfire Energy Inc. and began generating renewable energy May 11, 2020. It is the newest and most affordable solar PV project in Banff to date. 

This solar PV array is expected to meet approximately 50% of the annual electricity requirements of the Waste Transfer Station. This will generate approximately 95,000 kWh of clean electricity, reducing the Town’s electricity bill by approximately $8,500 per year. Additionally, the Town’s greenhouse gas emissions are expected to be reduced by 72 tonnes per year as a result of this project. 

The project was originally approved by council in June 2019 and was completed with the support from the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre’s Alberta Municipal Solar Program, which provided 30% funding for the project, and the Federal Low Carbon Economy Fund, which provided 40% funding.

Waste Solar News

The Fenlands

The Fenlands has an array of 984 solar panels installed on three roofs which is part of the 280 kW system. It began generating renewable energy July 25, 2017. With the electricity being produced at The Fenlands, the facility will see energy bill savings of approximately $15,000 per year.

The Fenlands is one of the municipality’s largest consumers of electricity. With the new solar power system, approximately 20% of the electricity used each year will come from renewable energy.

Watch the system power performance live throughout the day and how much energy it’s generating.

Fenlands Large - 5_Skyfire.jpg

Transit-Fleet Building

The Banff Transit-Fleet Building in the industrial compound is one of the newest solar installations in Banff. Officially turned on on August 24, 2018, it’s a 24kW solar array.

This is now the municipality’s third largest solar system behind The Waste Transfer Station and The Fenlands. This project was completed with the support of the Alberta Municipal Solar Program, which provided 25% funding for the project.

Watch the system power performance live throughout the day and how much energy it’s generating.

Other Solar Installations
Wolf Street Washroom (3kW)
Central Park Washroom (2kW)
Banff Community High School (12kW)
Banff Elementary School Phase 1 (65kW)

Town Hall

Solar panels were installed on the roof of Banff Town Hall in August 2013. It’s a 18 kW system with 72 panels that generates 17,500 kW hours of electricity each year. This project was not only designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated by municipal operations, but to inspire local businesses and residents to consider converting their own electricity source to solar-generated power.

You can watch how much energy is created with the real-time tracker.