Imagine a hydro bill of zero dollars. Now add $10,000 in rebates and an increase in home value. Finally, pat yourself on the back for doing good by the environment.
Far from fantasy, this is the reality being offered by Clean Energy Manitoba Electrical Group – a provincial leader in efficiency upgrades and retrofits, EV charging and solar panel installation. It’s a win-win-win scenario for home and business owners, and one that will only grow in popularity as hydro rates increase and sustainability practices become more widespread.
With springtime weather on the way, Clean Energy Manitoba is anticipating a busy solar season.
“We are currently reaching out to farming communities, commercial businesses, and homeowners, and we’re also connecting with home builders to discuss solar packages,” says Randy Thorsteinson, the group’s General Manager. “There’s better been a better time than now to install solar, with the Efficiency Manitoba solar rebate program and the Canada Greener Homes Grant.”
Efficiency Manitoba, for starters, will pay up to $5,000 towards solar initiatives, and the Canada Greener Homes Grant will chip in a further $5,000. Then there’s the overall rise in home value – something increasingly important as the market becomes more volatile.
“For businesses, Efficiency Manitoba is offering rebates up to $25,000,” says Thorsteinson, “and rumours are circulating that the federal government is planning to announce information on the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) that allows business owners to receive a credit of up to 30% of the cost of an energy-efficient project.”
Finally, Clean Energy Manitoba aims for significant reductions to hydro bills, oftentimes eliminating them altogether.
“Based on the size of the solar energy system, we can accomplish a net zero,” Thorsteinson explains. “This means we’ll try to get your bill down to $0.00.”
While the systems are typically uncomplicated – even existing homes can be fitted for solar – there are some steps to take before the actual panels are installed. First, Thorsteinson and his team would ask for the building’s yearly energy use, allowing for them to design an appropriate solar array system based on the power consumption of the home or business. They’d also determine if ground or roof mounts would be most beneficial.
