THE COMPLETE SOLAR GUIDE FOR ALBERTA
Solar Power for Edmonton, Surrounding Cities, and Across Alberta
Solar energy in Alberta can be a smart long-term investment — when it’s designed correctly and explained honestly.
This guide is written for homeowners, businesses, and acreage owners in Edmonton, surrounding communities, and across Alberta who want clear, realistic answers before making a decision.
You won’t find hype, guarantees, or pressure here.
You will find how solar actually works in Alberta, what affects results, and how to avoid costly mistakes.
This approach reflects how Stellar Upgrades plans and installs solar systems: clarity first, decisions second.
START HERE: HOW SOLAR ACTUALLY WORKS (IN PLAIN ENGLISH)
Solar panels generate electricity from sunlight during the day. That electricity is used first by your property, reducing how much power you buy from the grid.
If your system produces more electricity than you’re using at that moment, the excess may be exported to the grid depending on your utility setup and approvals.
Solar does not magically eliminate bills.
It reduces energy purchases — and how much it helps depends on design, usage, and expectations.
WHAT SOLAR DOES — AND DOES NOT — DO
What Solar Does Well
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Produces electricity on-site during daylight hours
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Reduces energy charges on your utility bill
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Provides long-term cost stability
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Increases property value when designed and documented properly
What Solar Does Not Do Automatically
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Eliminate fixed utility fees
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Guarantee backup power during outages
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Perform the same on every roof or property
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Deliver the same savings for every household or business
A professional installer explains these differences before installation, not after.
WHO SOLAR MAKES SENSE FOR IN ALBERTA
Solar works best when it’s matched to how energy is actually used.
Homes
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Families with steady annual electricity usage
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Homes planning future upgrades like EV charging or heat pumps
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Owners who value long-term savings over short-term gimmicks
Businesses
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Operations with daytime energy usage
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Owners seeking cost predictability and operational stability
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Facilities with suitable roof or land space
Farms and Acreages
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Large roof areas or ground-mount potential
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Long planning horizons
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Higher energy usage spread across seasons
Solar is infrastructure — not an impulse purchase
THE ALBERTA WINTER REALITY (NO SURPRISES)
Yes — solar works in winter.
No — it does not produce the same as summer.
Production is lower in winter and higher in summer. That’s normal.
A proper solar plan:
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Models annual output
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Explains seasonal differences
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Aligns expectations with reality
If someone promises “the same output year-round,” that’s a red flag.
WHAT ACTUALLY AFFECTS SOLAR SAVINGS IN ALBERTA
Savings are not one number. They depend on several factors working together.
The Biggest Drivers of Results
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Your annual electricity usage (kWh)
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Your rate structure (energy charges vs fixed fees)
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When you use power (daytime vs evening)
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Roof exposure (orientation, shading, usable area)
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Design and workmanship quality
Two homes with the same system size can see very different results.
That’s why real planning starts with your actual usage, not estimates.
WHY “100% OFFSET” DOESN’T ALWAYS MEAN “NO BILL”
Many Alberta systems are designed to offset a large portion of energy usage.
However:
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Fixed utility charges often remain
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Export rules vary by setup
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Seasonal production affects timing
A responsible proposal explains:
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What portion of the bill solar can reduce
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What charges remain
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Best-case, typical, and conservative scenarios
Clear math builds trust. Oversimplification does not.
WHY “100% OFFSET” DOESN’T ALWAYS MEAN “NO BILL”
Many Alberta systems are designed to offset a large portion of energy usage.
However:
-
Fixed utility charges often remain
-
Export rules vary by setup
-
Seasonal production affects timing
A responsible proposal explains:
-
What portion of the bill solar can reduce
-
What charges remain
-
Best-case, typical, and conservative scenarios
Clear math builds trust. Oversimplification does not.
DAYTIME USAGE MATTERS (ESPECIALLY FOR BUSINESSES)
Solar power is most valuable when it’s used as it’s produced.
Homes and businesses that use more electricity during daylight hours often:
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Consume more solar directly
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Reduce grid purchases more effectively
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See more predictable savings
This is why usage patterns matter just as much as system size.
THE MOST COMMON MISTAKE PEOPLE MAKE
Choosing equipment or price before understanding design.
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Panels and inverters matter — but:
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Roof layout
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Electrical integration
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Protection and labeling
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Inspection readiness
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Long-term service access
matter more.
Great equipment can underperform in a poor design.
Average equipment can perform well in a thoughtful one.
HOW TO CHOOSE A SOLAR COMPANY IN ALBERTA
Most people don’t regret going solar.
They regret choosing the wrong installer.
Green Flags
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Requests 12 months of usage data
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Explains assumptions clearly
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Shows site constraints and tradeoffs
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Handles permits and inspections
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Explains warranties in plain language
Red Flags
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“No bill” guarantees
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One-size-fits-all packages
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Pressure to sign quickly
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No discussion of fixed fees
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Vague answers about service and support
If something isn’t explained clearly, ask why.
WHAT THE SOLAR PROCESS SHOULD LOOK LIKE
​1. Design Based on Real Numbers
Usage history, roof constraints, and future plans are reviewed first.
2. Permits and Approvals
Paperwork and inspection paths are handled correctly and transparently.
3. Installation and Activation
Clean electrical work, inspections, monitoring setup, and a walkthrough so you understand your system.
A professional process feels calm, not rushed.
FAQ: QUESTIONS PEOPLE ASK BEFORE COMMITTING
Does solar work in Alberta winters?
Yes. Production is seasonal and should be planned annually.
Will solar keep power on during outages?
Not by itself. Backup requires batteries and proper system design.
How do I know the system size is right?
It should be based on your actual kWh usage and roof constraints.
What matters more: equipment or installer?
Installer quality and design consistency matter more long-term.
WHY LOCAL INSTALLERS MATTER IN ALBERTA
Alberta solar is governed by:
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Utility-specific requirements
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Municipal permit processes
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Provincial electrical code enforcement
A local installer understands:
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Inspection expectations
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Common approval delays
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Utility-specific documentation
This reduces rework, delays, and post-install issues.
STELLAR UPGRADES’ DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
Stellar Upgrades plans systems with:
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Electrical-first thinking
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Conservative assumptions
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Clear documentation
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Long-term service access in mind
The goal is not to sell the largest system —
it’s to design the right system.
COMMON SOLAR MYTHS IN ALBERTA (CLEARED UP)
“Bigger systems are always better.”
Not true. Oversizing can reduce value and create export issues.
“All panels perform the same.”
Not true. Warranty terms and degradation curves matter.
“Solar eliminates power bills.”
Rarely true. It reduces energy purchases, not fixed fees.
“Winter makes solar pointless.”
False. Solar is planned annually, not seasonally.
HOW SOLAR FITS WITH BATTERIES & EV CHARGING
Many Alberta homeowners plan solar alongside:
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Battery backup
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EV chargers
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Future heat pumps
The smartest approach:
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Design solar with future expansion in mind
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Avoid retrofits that require rework
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Plan electrical capacity early
Solar is the foundation — not the final step.