Alberta Public School Authorities can receive rebates, that cover up to 50% of project costs, for installing grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on new or existing school facilities or land in their jurisdiction and completing a student education initiative as part of the project.
Who is eligible for this program?
As long as your school is within the province of Alberta, serves Kindergarten (K) and/or a set of grades 1-12, and reports to School Authorities classified as Public, Separate, Francophone, and Charter by Alberta Education, you are eligible to participate. Check your eligibility here.
How much funding is available?
Participants are eligible to receive a rebate per watt of total installed capacity ($/W), as shown the table below.
Total Installed Capacity (DC) | Rebate |
<10 kilowatts | $1.50/watt |
10 kilowatts to <150 kilowatts | $1.25/watt |
150 kilowatts to <2 Megawatts | $1.10/watt |
2 Megawatts to 5 Megawatts | $1.00/watt |
The rebate provided by the MCCAC will not exceed 50% of eligible expenses.
School Authorities can submit multiple applications. Each School Authority is eligible for funding up to a maximum of $3,000,000 in total incentives across one or multiple projects. School Authorities can use up to $1,500,000 of their available incentives towards new school construction projects.
Why is this program important?
With a solar PV system, you’ll generate free power any time the sun is shining for your system’s entire 25+ year life. Even if you don’t produce 100 percent of the energy you consume, solar reduces your utility bills and can save you money.
By investing in a solar PV system now, you can begin to see immediate savings on your electricity bills and reinvest those savings into other priorities across your schools.
Create jobs, help your local economy, and of course protect the environment! Investing in solar PV can demonstrate your school’s commitment to sustainability and protecting the environment.
Best of all, installing solar at your school is a great practical learning opportunity to teach students about climate change and renewable energy!
How does it benefit you?
130 solar PV modules installed
50kW of installed capacity
35 tonnes GHG emissions avoided annually
4 school authorities participating
How does it work?
After reading the Guidebook, you can submit an Expression of Interest as a first, non-committal step to learn more about the program. Upon hearing back from the Action Centre, you can then move on to the Application.
Webinar
Need a little boost to convince your school authority to install solar? The Action Centre created this webinar that lays out everything they need to know. You can also request a webinar for your next meeting, or register for an upcoming webinar.
Successful Projects
See how schools across Alberta are participating.
- Canadian Rockies Regional School Division – Canmore Collegiate High School
- Canadian Rockies Regional School Division – Lawrence Grassi Middle School
- Medicine Hat Public School District – Medicine Hat Christian School
- Rocky View School District – Cochrane High School
- See more in the Project Showcase
Save money – Save the planet. It’s a win-win.
If this program sounds right for your community apply now and start making a difference today!