Solar Installation Grant Program expanded in time for Earth Day (again)

The City is excited to announce the continuation of the Solar Installation Grant Program for the third year in a row.  

The expanded program is aimed at aiding residents, business owners, and not-for-profit organizations in lowering their electricity costs using solar panels — falling in line with this year’s Earth Day theme of “Our Power, Our Planet,” which calls for unification around renewable energy to triple clean electricity by 2030.  

A generous anonymous donation of $50,000 will provide financial support to those seeking to install solar panels on their property. Ten eligible applicants will receive $5,000 to install a minimum 4kWh solar panel system for their residential or commercial properties.  

Pre-approval applications for the Solar Installation Grant Program are now open and can be submitted to  permits@wetaskiwin.ca. Requirements to be eligible for the grant program include obtaining development and building permits from the City, in addition to an electrical permit from Superior Safety Codes. As part of the building and electrical permit process, Superior Safety Codes will also need to inspect the installed system to ensure that it meets all code requirements.  

This program will operate on a first-come-first-serve basis, with the requirement that those deemed eligible for the grant must have the solar panel installation fully completed no later than eight months after receiving pre-approval from the City, unless an extension is requested. In order to meet this deadline and ensure all available funding is allocated in a timely manner, applicants must submit all required permit applications within four months of pre-approval.  

The City is extremely grateful for the funding provided by this donation. Not only does this funding help us to achieve our environmental goals, but it provides a practical way to celebrate Earth Day through local action while helping  Wetaskiwinites manage utility costs.  

For more details on the application process and eligibility criteria, residents can visit wetaskiwin.ca/solargrant.