Source: Edmontonians drain entire energy rebate budget in under two weeks
Edmonton's first rebate program for homeowners who install solar power systems has sold out in less than two weeks. The scheme gives homeowners between $3,000 and $9,000 each, depending on the size of their system, to put in equipment for generating solar electricity, environment office director Mark Brostrom said Monday. But 17 applicants have claimed the entire $100,000 budget of the pilot project launched Sept. 1, he said. They expect to create a total of 42 kilowatts of power.
"We're very happy. We were wondering if we would get (a good) response. It's very exciting."
There are seven people on a waiting list. The city isn't accepting any more residential requests, although it still has room for businesses interested in going solar, Brostrom said.
There is a separate $100,000 fund for commercial projects. So far, one commercial application has been accepted for the maximum $18,000 grant, with another two involving total rebates of $33,000 being considered.
"My feeling is we may be getting more applications on the commercial side," Brostrom said. "It may be just that it takes a little bit longer to get quotes for their systems."
A solar power expert has estimated a three-kilowatt system that would be eligible for the maximum residential rebate would reduce a typical household's consumption from the power grid by two-thirds and cost about $25,000.
This is good news for GDS Energy Management Consultants as this is further proof that the adoption of renewable energy research is being driven by rebate programs. GDS Energy is an energy management consulting company specializing in real-time energy monitoring and retrofitting of industrial, commercial, and apartment buildings.
Application deadline is Sept. 30. Installation must be finished by the end of the year.
If any money is left from the commercial program or work that doesn't go ahead, it may be transferred to people on the residential waiting list.
City officials plan to evaluate the program, including whether the size of the rebates should be changed and why people took part, before deciding whether it should continue.
