Frequently Asked Questions

About the Platform

Who is MyHEAT?

MyHEAT is an Albertan company known for empowering urban energy efficiency™ by helping to address one of the biggest hurdles faced when engaging homeowners about energy efficiency – its invisibility. We’ve helped millions of home and business owners visualize and compare heat loss across entire cities.

Now, we’ve expanded our offerings to promote the adoption of renewable energy generation through our rooftop solar potential platform! We are working with the City of Edmonton to help Edmontonians with their first step on their journey to go solar.

Why is this platform being offered in Edmonton?

The City of Edmonton has partnered with MyHEAT to offer this solar potential map as a starting point on your journey to go solar! The City is helping Edmontonians install solar systems on their homes to produce renewable energy as part of the Change for Climate initiative.

Solar Potential Calculations

How is MyHEAT providing this information?

MyHEAT is using the Solar API available through the Google Maps Platform to offer this platform for communities.

 Google Maps Platform: Solar API

What size of panels are you considering in this calculation?

Panels are assumed to be 1.65 m by 0.992 m with a nominal DC capacity of 400 W.

A solar installer provided a different estimate than this tool. Why?

Solar energy production estimates depend on many factors and sources of information may have different estimates as a result of shading, typical weather in your area and equipment used. Additionally, Project Sunroof mapping data may be from a different period in time than other estimates and may not show recent growth or removal of trees.

How should I use the estimated information for my home?

These estimates are provided solely for informational purposes. It is recommended that residents contact a qualified solar installer to complete a site analysis that provides a detailed and personalized assessment of the solar potential specific to the building’s needs.

In using the solar potential map, you expressly agree that you use it solely at your own risk and that the City of Edmonton is not liable to you for any damages whatsoever including any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special or other damages resulting from your use of the solar potential map.

Data Coverage and Availability

I’ve searched for a building, but no solar potential data is available. Why?

The Google Maps Platform Solar API data is missing for some buildings. The rooftop that you've searched may be:

  1. Located outside of the current coverage area.
  2. Be missing as a result of a gap in the available data. Examples of this may include garages or buildings that were under construction at the time that the data was collected.

The Google Maps Platform Solar API data is always being reviewed to address existing issues. While solar potential data may not currently be available for the rooftop that you are interested in exploring, it may still have great solar potential. We recommend that you access the local resources and rebates included on this site to learn more about options available to you.

To learn more about the details of the MyHEAT solar potential map, please contact us at hello@myheat.ca

Where is the data for my garage?

Google Maps Platform Solar API data is missing for some buildings. While solar potential data may not currently be available for the rooftop that you are interested in exploring, it may still have great solar potential. MyHEAT recommends that you contact a qualified solar installer to complete a detailed site assessment.

Adding solar panels to a detached garage roof may be an excellent option. If you add solar panels to your garage, you will not have to modify your home's roof. Solar panels could be installed in addition to a system on your house or be installed when adding solar panels to your home's roof is not optimal.

The Google Maps Platform Solar API data is always being reviewed to address existing issues.

Why is the platform only applicable to single-family homes and not other, larger buildings?

The Google Maps Platform Solar API calculates solar potential for the roof of every building. However, the system size and financial estimates found on the platform are tailored to residential buildings and do not consider units within the buildings. The economics for commercial and industrial buildings are often different from residential buildings due to different regulations, electricity prices, and solar installation costs.

Solar and Your Home

Why does Alberta have such great solar potential?

According to Natural Resources Canada, Alberta has one of the best solar resources in Canada.

The energyhub.org link below compares the solar resource potential in various municipalities in Canada. It is of note that Edmonton (with a potential of 1246 kWh/kW) has a similar annual solar resource potential to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil (1253 kWh/kW), assuming south facing panels with a latitude tilt.

Where can I learn more about adding solar panels to my building?

Luckily for you, the City of Edmonton has partnered with MyHEAT to offer this Solar Potential Map as a starting point on your journey to go solar. There are plenty of resources out there to help you with your next steps.

Here are some of our recommendations for local resources:

Are there rebates for installing solar panels on my home?

The City of Edmonton's Home Energy Retrofit Accelerator Program and Solar Rebate Program for residential homes are now fully subscribed. On October 17, 2024, however, the City of Edmonton will begin accepting applications to the City of Edmonton's Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP): an affordable and innovative approach to financing energy retrofits that make the building more energy efficient. CEIP is administered by Alberta Municipalities.

Through CEIP, property owners can finance up to 100% of the upgrade's cost at a competitive interest rate which is then repaid through the property's tax bill at terms up to 20 years. Because financing is tied to the property rather than the owner, repayment can move to a new owner on sale of the property. Residential property owners and owners of multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs) can finance up to $50K of retrofits through the program. Commercial owners will have up to $1M (greater amounts per project may qualify).

Stay informed on future rebates and grants offered by the City of Edmonton by subscribing to the Change for Climate newsletter. Visit the Natural Resources Canada website for more information about federal rebates and loans.

What options does the City of Edmonton have to help residential homeowners with retrofits?

On October 17, 2024, the City of Edmonton will begin accepting applications to the City of Edmonton's Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP): an affordable and innovative approach to financing energy retrofits that make the building more energy efficient. CEIP is administered by Alberta Municipalities.

Through CEIP, property owners can finance up to 100% of the upgrade's cost at a competitive interest rate which is then repaid through the property's tax bill at terms up to 20 years. Because financing is tied to the property rather than the owner, repayment can move to a new owner on sale of the property. Residential property owners and owners of multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs) can finance up to $50K of retrofits through the program. Commercial owners will have up to $1M (greater amounts per project may qualify).

What's the first step to installing solar panels on my home?

It is important to remember that the estimates on this platform are for informational purposes only. If you are considering adding solar panels to your home, MyHEAT recommends that you contact a qualified solar installer to complete a detailed site assessment and visit the links included on this website to learn more about local resources and incentive programs. When applying through the Canada Greener Homes Grant you start with a pre-retrofit evaluation. Please visit the following website for detailed information on the application process.

 Natural Resources Canada: Greener Homes Grant

How much electricity can I generate in Alberta?

According to Alberta’s Micro-Generation Regulation, you may only install a system large enough to produce the amount of energy that you typically use on an annual basis. If you produce more electricity than you use in a month, the extra energy is automatically sent back into the grid, and you receive a credit on your bill.

 Solar Alberta: A Solar Consumer’s Guide

How does my utility provider measure the energy that my solar panels are producing?

When you install solar panels, your utility provider will also install a bi-directional meter at your home. This allows them to track the energy flowing into and out of your house through a process called net metering.

With net metering, you only pay for the electricity that you use beyond what your solar panels can generate. It also allows your utility to provide a credit for any excess electricity produced that you do not use within your home. Any credit you receive will be based on an agreement with your utility provider.

It is important to remember that your utility provider can’t see what is happening on your side of the meter. In most cases, your financial benefits will be the result of the money you save by reducing the amount of electricity that you need your utility to provide.

My building's roof needs replacing soon. Does it make sense to combine the installations?

Yes. Solar panels can last 25 to 40 years, so if your roof may need replacing, it is important to do it before having them installed. However, if your roof is in good condition prior to the installation, a solar array will shield and help protect the roof.

Who do I contact if I have further questions about solar in the City of Edmonton?

To learn more about the details of the MyHEAT solar potential map for Edmonton, please contact us at hello@myheat.ca

Energy Made Visible™