Saving with Solar in Saskatchewan.
Saskatchewan 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. Saskatchewan Utilities 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 Saskatchewan Utility 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, any credits you may have for excess electricity sent to the grid will reset to zero.
What’s in it for Saskatchewan 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 is close to the same as buying power from SaskPower. 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.
Saskatchewan Solar Support Programs:
The SaskPower Solar Program has incentives to help homes and businesses install solar to reduce their consumption of utility power. The overall goal is to defer the need for Saskatchewan to add generation facilities, and solar is clean, reliable and empowers residents to take control of the power.
Installation process
- Obtain the required electrical permits and electrical inspections, including approvals required under the bylaws of the city, town or municipality where the installation occurs;
- Install your renewable electricity generating equipment, including the energy production meter (this meter is only required if applying for the Net Metering Rebate);
- Perform other tasks required to comply with SaskPower’s or your local electricity provider’s net metering policies, including the signing of a net metering interconnection agreement; and
- Once your system has passed the electrical inspection, contact your HES Certified Installer or your local electricity provider to have the bi-directional meter installed.
