Solar Panels

Your roof and solar panels depend on each other. You'll need to remove your solar panels before replacing your roof. We recommend installing a new roof before installing solar panels. This approach boosts the lifespan of your panels, saving money. 

Our solar installers seal all points of contact when attaching the solar array to your roof. Leaks are unlikely, but we have your back if one does occur. The work is backed by a 5-year workmanship warranty. We’ll repair any leaks resulting from the solar array installation. 

The materials we use stand up to severe Canadian weather. We test our solar arrays with golf ball sized hail at 100kph. The results show hail does little to impact PV modules.  

As for snow, panels getting diffused light through some snow cover will still produce power. The downward sloping panels generate natural heat. Combined with Alberta's wind action, most snow will melt or slide away from your panels. 

You don't need to remove snow from solar panels on your own. Even heavy snowfall that blocks the sunlight isn't worth trying to reach. The amount of electricity you can generate on a heavy snow day is low compared to snow-free days. 

Removing snow can damage your system. Climbing on a slippery roof also puts you at risk of injury. It's best to keep your feet on the ground and let the snow melt! 

We’ll help you determine the best system for you. We’ll look at your home’s annual power usage and your available space. Then we’ll choose a PV module with a power rating that’s right for your application. 

The cost will cost will depend on a few factors. Number of panels, location, roof complexity and any extra equipment required. 

So how much does it cost to install solar panels? Current solar pricing varies but usually costs around $2.50 per Watt installed. 

The good news is you can bring this number down even more. You can recoup some of your costs by taking advantage of government rebates and incentive programs! 

There’s no question that going solar is a long-term investment — one that will take time to pay off. The time it takes depends on the cost of energy, which is difficult to predict years and even months in advance. 

A good general rule of thumb:  

Your solar array should pay for itself about halfway through its warrantied lifetime.  

The system's size also influences your total savings in energy charges. It's tough to estimate exact savings because energy prices fluctuate by nature. This directly affects how much money you will save. 

Saving money isn't the be-all and end-all though! Some people choose solar to reduce their carbon footprint. For others, the desire to be more self-sufficient is the main benefit of installing solar panels. 

Having solar panels won't completely eliminate your energy bill. 

Without a battery, your solar panel system is still connected to the grid. Even if you generate enough power to meet your own needs, you'll still have an electricity bill. This will include Distribution and Transmission fees. 

In Alberta's sunny summers, most solar-powered homes generate more electricity than they need. You can sell any excess solar power your panels generate back to the grid. You'll get credit for the electricity you send back to the main electricity supply network. 

On the other hand, you'll generate less energy than you need to power your home during the winter. When you produce less solar energy, electricity from the grid supplements what you generate.

Payback time on solar installation is usually between 12–18 years. There are many solar panel system payback calculators available online. 

Keep in mind that these solar calculators will make assumptions, which can have a significant impact on the results. That's why a custom assessment is important. We'll do a payback assessment based on your actual energy usage history. This info is part of the formal proposal our solar pros will put together for you before any work starts. 

All Rümi’s solar panel systems can be tracked with free online monitoring software. You can view your solar installations production in real time on your phone, computer or smart TV. You'll also see your energy credits on your monthly electricity bill. 

Your electricity provider will monitor your solar energy generation versus usage. Your energy retailer will credit you accordingly on your bill. 

Your usage and savings will be unique to you. However, the average Alberta home uses 6,900 kWh/year. That's roughly what 22 solar modules will produce in a year. That means the average home will become electrically net-zero from just 22 solar panels! 

You can also track your solar power statistics online! This service lets you see how much solar energy you’re generating, and how much carbon your solar panels are offsetting. 

There are several incentives available in Alberta:   

• The City of Calgary 

For more info, visit Calgary.ca

• Town of Banff   

Visit Banff Solar PV Rebates 

• Canada Greener Homes Grant

For more info, check out Canada Greener Homes Grant

Our solar service partners will help you choose and source the right solar panels for your installation. 

Micro-generation refers to people who disconnect from the national energy grid and instead power their homes with hydro, wind, biomass, fuel cell or solar energy.

In sunny Alberta, micro-generation typically comes in the form of solar energy. On some days, a solar energy system can create enough energy to power a property all day long.

Learn more about the many benefits of micro-generation and how you can become a micro-generator.