Are you planning to build a new home in Calgary? Consider investing in solar panels to take advantage of the city's sunny weather and reduce your carbon footprint. With an average of 333 days of sunshine each year, Calgary is an ideal location for solar panels. In addition to being eco-friendly, solar panels come with many benefits, including cost savings, increased property value, energy independence, and a reduced carbon footprint. Melcom Homes' eco-life package is an excellent option for those who want to live sustainably. The package includes six solar panels, a 2-Stage Furnace, an Active Heat Recovery Ventilation System, Tankless Hot Water Heater, Foundation Wrap, Triple Pane Windows, and a Heat Pump, making it a comprehensive solution for a sustainable home.
Calgary's Climate and Solar Potential
Calgary is famous for its sunny weather, making it an ideal location for solar panels. With an average of 333 days of sunshine each year, Calgary receives more than enough sunlight to produce solar energy. Even during the winter months, when days are shorter and temperatures are lower, the city still receives enough sunlight to generate power.
Pros of Solar Panels
Investing in solar panels comes with plenty of benefits for homeowners in Calgary. Here are some of the pros of solar panels:
Cost Savings: By installing solar panels, you can significantly reduce your energy bills. Solar panels generate free electricity, which can be used to power your home, reducing your dependence on grid electricity.
Eco-Friendly: Solar energy is a clean and renewable source of energy, which means it doesn't produce any harmful emissions that contribute to climate change. By using solar energy, you can reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a sustainable future.
Increased Property Value: Homes with solar panels are in high demand, and they often sell for more than homes without them. This is because solar panels are a valuable addition to any home, and they can significantly increase their resale value.
Energy Independence: By generating their electricity, homeowners can become more self-sufficient and less dependent on the grid. This means that they will have access to a reliable source of energy, even during power outages or emergencies.
Melcom Homes Eco-life Package
Melcom Homes' eco-life package includes six solar panels on their new builds, making it the perfect choice for those who want to live in a sustainable future. Melcom Homes' eco-life package goes beyond just solar panels. The package includes a 2-Stage Furnace that can help reduce energy consumption and costs. The Active Heat Recovery Ventilation System is designed to capture and reuse heat that is lost during ventilation, further reducing energy costs. The Tankless Hot Water Heater is another feature of the eco-life package that eliminates the need for a bulky and energy-consuming water tank.
The package also includes a Foundation Wrap that helps insulate the home and prevent energy loss through the foundation. The Triple Pane Windows help maintain indoor temperatures and reduce energy costs associated with heating and cooling the home. Lastly, the Heat Pump is a highly efficient heating and cooling system that uses minimal electricity to operate.
Cost of Solar Panels in Calgary
The cost of installing solar panels in Calgary can vary depending on the size of your home and your energy needs. However, the cost has significantly decreased in recent years due to the advancement of technology and the increase in demand for solar panels. Generally, you can expect to pay between $15,000 to $25,000 to install solar panels on your home.
How Long Does It Take for Solar Panels to Pay for Themselves in Alberta
The cost of installing solar panels in Alberta can be a significant investment for homeowners. However, the long-term benefits of renewable energy are undeniable.
On average, it takes between 7 to 10 years for solar panels to pay for themselves in Alberta. This timeframe is based on the savings generated from the electricity generated by the solar panels, which can offset the initial investment cost. The payback period can vary depending on several factors such as the size of the solar panel system, the orientation of the panels, and the energy needs of your home.
A larger solar panel system will generate more electricity, resulting in quicker payback periods. Additionally, if your home has high energy consumption, installing a larger solar panel system can help generate more savings. The orientation of the solar panels is also important, as panels facing south will generate more electricity than those facing north.
The payback period can be influenced by external factors such as the availability of solar rebates and incentives. In Alberta, there are several solar rebate programs that can help reduce the upfront cost of solar panel installation, resulting in quicker payback periods.
Alberta Solar Rebate Program
The Canadian Federal government offers a solar grant known as the Federal Canada Greener Grant. It is a government initiative that aims to encourage homeowners to install solar panels in their homes by providing them with financial incentives. This program is part of the Canadian government's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote the use of renewable energy.
The program provides rebates to homeowners who install solar panels in their homes, with the amount of the rebate depending on the size of the solar panel system installed. The rebate covers up to a maximum of $5,000. This means that homeowners can significantly reduce the upfront costs of installing solar panels in their homes.
To be eligible for the rebate, homeowners must meet certain requirements, including having an energy efficiency evaluation done on their home and obtaining all necessary permits and approvals. Homeowners must also use a certified installer to install their solar panel system.
Selling Electricity Back to Grid in Alberta
Net metering is a program that allows homeowners in Alberta to sell excess electricity generated by their solar panels back to the grid. This process is particularly beneficial during times when solar panels are producing more energy than the home needs, such as during the summer months. During these times, the excess energy is fed back into the grid and credited to the homeowner's account. Then, during times when the solar panels are not producing enough energy, such as during the winter months, the homeowner can use these credits to offset the cost of electricity they consume from the grid.
Net metering not only helps homeowners save money on their electricity bills, but it also helps promote the use of renewable energy sources such as solar power. By incentivizing homeowners to invest in solar panels and generate their own electricity, net metering helps reduce the overall demand for fossil fuels and lowers the carbon footprint of the province. Additionally, homeowners who generate excess energy through their solar panels are helping to provide clean energy to the grid, further promoting the use of renewable energy sources and reducing the need for traditional energy sources such as coal and natural gas.
Is Solar Energy Worth the Cost in Calgary?
Investing in solar panels is worth it for homeowners in Calgary. The city's sunny weather provides ample opportunities for solar panel installation, and the benefits of using solar energy are numerous. By installing solar panels, homeowners can save money on their energy bills, contribute to a sustainable future, increase their property value, and become more energy independent.
Melcom Homes' eco-life package is an excellent option for those who want to live sustainably. With six solar panels included in the package, homeowners can enjoy all the benefits of solar energy while also reducing their carbon footprint. The cost of solar panel installation in Calgary has significantly decreased in recent years, and the Residential and Commercial Solar Program provides financial incentives to homeowners who want to install solar panels in their homes. So, if you're building a new home in Calgary, investing in solar panels is a wise decision that will benefit you and the environment in the long run.
About Melcom Homes
Melcom Homes is an eco-friendly home builder in Alberta that builds affordable, sustainable, energy-efficient homes. Melcom values creativity and innovation that pushes the envelope in the green building industry.