Saving with Solar in Prince Edward Island.
PEI encourages its residents to use solar to reduce their power consumption. While the province enjoys clean generation from Hydro plants, the supply is limited. As needs grow province wide, expensive upgrades and new generation will be needed. PEI Hydro would like customers to reduce power consumption, and considers self-generation from solar a key to their future. Solar installations, whether on a residential roof, ground mounted on a acreage, or on commercial roofs, produce power for its owners at costs close to buying utility power now. If the power is not needed during the day, it can be exported back to your PEI Hydro as part of their Net Metering program, for a credit. The customer then uses this credit against power used at night, or during the winter.
How does it work?
Electricity sent to the grid is banked and applied to your current month’s electricity consumption. Any excess electricity is carried over to the following month and applied against that month’s consumption. A credit appears on your monthly bill showing the net amount of electricity that has been banked. Your excess power should be used within the year; if not, at the end of 12 months on your net metering anniversary date you will receive a financial credit from PEI Hydro.
What’s in it for PEI customers?
- Control of current power costs: A solar system can produce 20 to 100% of the annual power needed to run a home. With the incentives the electricity off the roof it is close to the same as buying power from PEI Hydro. Add future rate increase and the solar electricity gets cheaper every year.
- Investment: A solar system typically yields 5-10% rate of return on the cash invested. Since solar systems last 30 years or more, it’s like a long term GIC. Commercial customers can take advantage of Class 43.2 Accelerated Capital Cost Allowance for an even better rate return.
- Empowerment: Now you are in control of your own power. Rising costs will not affect you in the same way. Plan for lower costs when you retire, and enhance the value of your property.
- Learn more about the PEI Hydro’s Net Metering Program here
- Learn more about the rules and regulations of PEI Hydro’s Net Metering Program here
PEI Solar Electric Rebate Program
The Solar Electric Rebate Program makes solar power more affordable than ever before by providing financial incentive for Island homeowners, farms and businesses to install solar PV panels. Solar incentives will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 500 tonnes annually and create approximately 20 jobs in PEI’s renewable energy sector.
Incentives
- Homes – $1,000/kilowatt installed, up to 40% of installed costs, to a maximum of $10,000.
- Businesses and farms- $350/kilowatt installed, up to 40% of installed costs, to a maximum of $10,000.
Eligibility
- A residential property, no more than three stories high, with a footprint smaller than 600 m² (6458 ft²), or commercial building with an operating business, or a farm building owned and operated year round by a bona-fide farmer.
- A single-family home, detached, side-by-side, row house or apartment building.
- A manufactured or mobile home with have a permanent electrical utility connection.
Buildings that are not habitable or structurally sound (i.e. fire damage, uninhabitable, major renovation or construction in progress, etc.) are NOT eligible.
Requirements
You must ensure that a solar PV system is eligible is net metering from your electric utility – Maritime Electric or the City of Summerside Electric Utility. The system must meet all applicable regulations under the Canadian Electrical Code and any additional provincial laws and regulations. The system must be installed by an efficiencyPEI Network of Excellence contractor.
- $1,000 per installed kilowatt not to exceed 40% of total installed cost to a maximum of $10,000.
- $350 per installed kilowatt not to exceed 40% of total installed cost to a maximum of $10,000.
For more information and steps to apply click here.
Installation process
- Obtain the required electrical permits and building permits (where required) including approvals required under the bylaws of the city, town or municipality where the installation occurs;
- Apply to PEI Hydro for a Net Metering Interconnection.
- Install your renewable electricity generating equipment.
- Provide proof that your solar installation has passed inspection by PEI Safety Authority, and sign the Net Metering Interconnection Agreement.
- PEI Hydro will activate the backflow setting on your smart meter to log the power that you sent back to the utility, and your Net Metering Solar System is complete.
