From humble beginnings to province-wide impact
Powertec Solar has been a beacon for renewable energy in Manitoba for over a decade. Founded with a mission to bring solar power to a province historically slow to adopt this technology, Powertec Solar has grown to become one of Manitoba's leading solar installation companies. While the company started small, it has since expanded its reach beyond Manitoba, serving clients in neighbouring provinces and even in remote northern communities.
"Over the past 10 years, we've managed to install a lot of systems, especially at the community, commercial, agricultural, and industrial scales," says Jacob Kettner, one of Powertec Solar's team members. "Those larger projects have the best economies of scale, giving our clients faster payback on their investments."
Comprehensive service from concept to completion
When you work with Powertec Solar, you’re partnering with a team that takes care of everything – from feasibility analysis and engineering to permitting, procurement, construction, commissioning, and even after-sales support.
"We take a project from an idea to reality," says Daniel Hartley, another Powertec Solar team member. "We also make sure to be there after the project is complete. If there are any issues, we're here to help. We've even had clients come to us after working with other companies because of our strong commitment to after-sales service."
Tailored solutions for rural operations
Powertec Solar understands that every farm and rural property is unique. That's why they take a site-specific approach to designing and installing solar systems.
"We look at your usage, your load profile, and when you use power," Hartley explains. "Then we design a system that offsets your base load as much as possible. The goal is to maximize your use of the power produced on-site, not just sell excess power back to the grid."
For those worried about partial shading or less-than-ideal exposure, Hartley says, "We're honest about whether solar will work for you. If you don't have good southern exposure or your property isn't suitable, we'll tell you. But nine times out of ten, we can find a spot that works, especially on agricultural properties."
Significant savings for farmers and rural businesses
Solar power isn’t just good for the environment – it can also be a significant cost-saver for rural operations.
"You can offset a large portion of your utility bills, especially through the spring, summer, and fall," Hartley says. "Efficiency Manitoba offers a rebate of $0.75 per watt installed – so for a 100-kilowatt system, that's $75,000 back. Plus, the federal government offers a 30% refundable tax credit. Combined, those incentives cover more than half of the system’s cost."
Clean energy, clean future
While Manitoba’s hydro power is already relatively clean, there are still times when energy is imported from other sources. Solar helps preserve water behind dams during dry years and reduces reliance on imported power.
"Solar is still the lowest-emission source of electricity you can buy on the open market," Hartley adds. "It also helps Manitoba Hydro export more green energy to other regions, making it a win-win for everyone."
Getting started with Powertec Solar
Interested in exploring solar power for your farm or rural property? Kettner says the first step is easy.
"Visit our website at powertecsolar.ca and fill out the request for a free feasibility analysis," he says. "Using satellite imagery, we can quickly estimate what your system would look like and how much energy it would produce. If it looks like a fit, we’ll move forward with more detailed designs."
And with a dedicated team of over 100 employees based in Manitoba, Powertec Solar has the expertise and resources to support you now and in the future.
"Make sure you pick an installer that’s local and has been around," Kettner says. "Reputation matters, and we’ve seen companies come and go. We’re proud to have installed more solar in Manitoba than any other company over the past 10 years."
For more information, visit powertecsolar.ca or call 204-809-8703. You can also visit them in person at 1320 Loudon Road, Winnipeg.
