Cancelled rebate to give solar industry chance to shine
“It certainly levels the playing field,” said David Kelly, CanSIA Alberta Board member. “Rebates subsidizing natural gas made it that much more difficult to argue for renewable energy. Add to that the fact that Alberta doesn’t have any incentive programs for renewable energy and it becomes a very difficult argument.”
It is estimated Albertans received more than $1.9 billion in rebates since the program was launched in 2003. Fuel costs have fallen so low that natural gas rebates hadnÂ’t been distributed for the last two months.
When solar energy is compared to natural gas without the subsidy, Albertans can expect much better returns on their solar energy investments.
“Alberta has a finite natural gas resource that will only increase in cost as demand continues to outstrip regional production. Removing the rebate sends the correct price signals, but this timely action must be coupled with robust and durable incentives for efficiency and clean alternatives that are ultimately in the best interest of all Albertans,” said Rob Harlan, Executive Director SESCI-NAC.
“The Alberta Government has made the right decision,” said Elizabeth McDonald, CanSIA President. “We are hoping it is the first step towards it following suit with Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Ontario and offering actual incentives for residents to turn to solar for their energy needs. If our country is going to seriously safeguard the environment for future generations – renewable energy, such as solar has to be able to compete, at the very least, on the same footing as the existing fossil fuel industries.”
Related News

New Texas will bill electric vehicle drivers an extra $200 a year
DALLAS - Plano resident Tony Federico bought his Tesla five years ago in part because he hated spending lots of money on gas. But that financial calculus will change slightly on Sept. 1, when Texas will start charging electric vehicle drivers an additional fee of $200 each year.
“It just seems like it’s arbitrary, with no real logic behind it,” said Federico, 51, who works in information technology. “But I’m going to have to pay it.”
Earlier this year, state lawmakers passed Senate Bill 505, which requires electric vehicle owners to pay the fee when they register a vehicle or renew their…