Solar Energy

Solar Energy

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We need energy for our homes, businesses, industries, and transport. Solar energy, along with other renewable sources, is important for reducing Calgary’s emissions and achieving net-zero by 2050.

The City supports rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system installations with financial programs, open data, education, and capacity building.

Powering your home or business with solar energy

Calgary gets an average of over 2,300 hours of sunshine each year, making it perfect for solar energy! In recent years, more homes and businesses have started using solar energy.

The benefits of installing solar PV systems on your home or business may include:

  • Reducing the impacts of electricity cost changes on your utility bills. 
  • Acting as a power backup when paired with a battery bank. 
  • Adding renewable energy into Calgary’s electricity grid. 
  • Reducing your greenhouse gas emissions

  • Residential Solar Calculator

    Check out The City’s Residential Solar Calculator. It helps you see your home’s solar potential, plus estimated costs, savings, and environmental benefits of installing solar panels.

  • Plan your solar project

    Have you decided solar energy might be right for you and your home or business? Make sure you understand the rules, permits, and fees required for installing a solar system on your building.

Solar projects at The City

There are over 24 (and counting) solar PV systems installed on City buildings in Calgary. These systems can produce over 7 megawatts of power. The City also works with ENMAX to provide solar systems through the ENMAX Community Solar Fund.  

These solar projects are strategic investments in Calgary’s economy and climate resilience. They are funded by The City and provincial and federal grants. 

The City’s solar investments lower utility costs and produce emissions-free electricity. For large solar projects, The City aims for a payback period of 10 to 12 years, depending on the project.

  • Haskayne Legacy Park Solar Project

    This solar PV system enables the Haskayne Legacy Park Pavilion building to achieve near net-zero.

    Learn more

  • Shepard Park

    Called a “Brightfield,” this 1,080-kW project was built on an old racetrack. It repurposes over three hectares of previously developed land.

    Learn more

  • Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant

    A 626.7-kW addition to The City’s solar PV inventory was completed in November 2017.

    Learn more

  • Renfrew Solar Carport

    This 2023 project is The City's first solar carport system. It was developed in partnership with the Spark Science Centre.

    Learn more

  • Southland Leisure Centre

    In 2015, this pioneering project was The City of Calgary’s largest solar installation to date.

    Learn more

Tracking our progress

The Calgary Climate Strategy and The City’s Climate Implementation Plan have actions to boost renewable energy use. They promote solar PV through capacity-building, education, and financial programs.

We aim to increase solar capacity each year for homes, businesses, and industry. We track installed solar capacity yearly to see how our ability to generate renewable solar energy is changing.

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