Business solar in Alberta: micro-generation, demand charges and the 30% credit

How a project runs

1. Read your delivery tariffYour wire owner decides if you pay demand charges. ENMAX and EPCOR don't for small business; FortisAlberta and ATCO do.
2. Pull interval dataDemand is measured over 15-minute intervals, so monthly totals aren't enough.
3. Check commercial CEIPSome municipalities offer it. Edmonton's goes up to $1 million.
4. Apply for micro-generationSmall (under 150 kW) or large (150 kW to 5 MW). Large micro-gen exports are credited at the pool price.
5. Build and connectStructural review, permits, install, inspection, meter.
6. Claim the creditITC and CCA on the corporate return.

The money

Sizing to your load

Size the array to your yearly energy use (that's the micro-generation rule). If you're on a FortisAlberta rate with a ratchet, a battery that shaves your highest peak can lower the demand charge for the next 11 months too.

Farms

Farms are well suited to Alberta micro-generation, especially with ground-mount space. Incorporated farms can claim the ITC.

What to have ready

• 12 months of bills, and interval (hourly or 15-minute) data from your utility if you can get it.
• Your rate class or rate code.
• Whether the business is incorporated and taxable. That decides the 30% credit.
• Roof age and condition, or the spot you'd use for a ground mount.
• Any expansion plans that will change your load in the next few years.

Questions to ask any installer

• Have you modelled my interval data, or just my monthly totals?
• Is the price shown before or after the federal tax credit, and does it assume the labour election?
• Which line on my bill does the system reduce: energy, demand, or both?
• Who handles the utility connection application, and how long does it take here?
• Has the roof or ground mount been checked by a structural engineer?