Home solar energy rebate sells out

High demand from Edmonton homeowners means the city is no longer accepting residential applications for its solar electric rebate pilot program.

"We are thrilled with the level of excitement generated by this program," Mark Brostrom, director of the city's office of environment, said in a news release.

"We knew there was great interest in solar electricity in the community but I dont think any of us expected the residential applications to come in so fast and furious"

The $200,000 program, launched on Sept. 1, offers a limited number of rebates for home and business owners who install solar electric systems.

The city set aside $100,000 for the residential side of the rebate program. Applications have now topped out, but the city will set up a waiting list just in case existing applications fail to qualify.

Businesses can still apply for rebates under the commercial program. If the $100,000 fund isn't used up by the Sept. 30 deadline, money may be transferred to help those on the waiting list for residential projects.

The program will pay a maximum of $9,000 for home solar electric systems and $18,000 for those installed in businesses.

All applications will be rated on a first-come, first-serve basis and will require documentation and a post-installation inspection. The systems also must be installed by Dec. 31.

The rebate is based on a rate of $3.00 per watt of installed capacity. For example, a homeowner with a one kilowatt system would get a $3,000 rebate.

To qualify, home systems must generate a minimum of one kilowatt of electricity. Business systems must have a rated capacity ranging from two to 10 kilowatts.