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Residential Solar PV Standard University of Calgary PRISM: University of Calgary's Digital Repository Graduate Studies Graduate Capstones 2019-08-19 Residential Solar PV Standard McGoey, Thomas http://hdl.handle.net/1880/111115 report University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission. Downloaded from PRISM: https://prism.ucalgary.ca UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY Residential Solar PV Standard in Alberta by Thomas McGoey A RESEARCH PROJECT SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE GRADUATE PROGRAM IN SUSTAINABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT CALGARY, ALBERTA AUGUST, 2019 © Thomas McGoey 2019 Abstract Alberta is one of Canada’s most attractive jurisdictions for solar PV deployment because of the resource availability. Alberta’s recent regulatory environment, which included attractive incentives that encouraged residential solar PV deployment and installation, resulted in tremendous growth in solar PV systems (1 MW in 2009 to 45 MW in 2017). This paper examines whether a residential solar PV standard in Alberta should be implemented, and what role a standard could play in increasing uptake and deployment of solar PV systems. The research includes an examination of minimum accreditation required for residential installations, the impact of having consistent regulatory approaches throughout the province, and what incentive policies could result in sustained residential solar PV development. Through reviewing policies and approaches used in other jurisdictions, this project aims to provide recommendations for a regulatory environment in Alberta which does not introduce additional barriers for consumers and installers and improves the industry’s reputation. ii Acknowledgements This project would not have been possible without: • Marc Huot – thank you for help, feedback, connections, and direction throughout the report. • Dr. David Ince - thank you for your time and patience in supervising my work. • Richard Roberts – thank you for your feedback, time, and helpful connections. • Dr. Irene Herremans – thank you for help throughout the report. • All survey respondents who helped me complete this report and provided me with great feedback and direction. iii Table of Contents Table of Contents Approval Page .................................................................................................................................. i Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................ iii Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................... iv List of Figures ............................................................................................................................... vii List of Abbreviations ................................................................................................................... viii Chapter 1 - Introduction .................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Goals and objectives ............................................................................................................. 4 1.2 Interdisciplinary Nature ........................................................................................................ 4 1.3 Research Methodology ......................................................................................................... 5 Chapter 2 - Current Practices .......................................................................................................... 7 2.1 Current Regulatory Environment .......................................................................................... 7 2.1.1 Alberta Bylaws............................................................................................................... 7 2.1.2 Provincial and National Regulations ............................................................................. 8 2.2 Alberta’s Residential Solar PV Installation Process ........................................................... 10 2.2.1 Current Installation Process ......................................................................................... 10 2.2.2 Permitting Process and Requirements ......................................................................... 11 2.3 Why a Residential Solar Standard Is Needed in Alberta .................................................... 12 Chapter 3 - Literature Review....................................................................................................... 15 iv 3.1 Bylaw Approaches .............................................................................................................. 15 3.2 Incentive Policies ................................................................................................................ 17 3.2.1 Alberta’s Rebate Program ............................................................................................ 18 3.2.2 Other Rebate Programs ................................................................................................ 20 3.2.3 Alberta’s Property Assessed Program ......................................................................... 22 3.2.4 Other Property Assessed Programs .............................................................................. 23 3.3.5 Feed-in Tariff ............................................................................................................... 25 3.3 Qualification and Accreditation Requirements ................................................................... 29 3.3.1 Professional Requirements........................................................................................... 29 3.3.2 Industry and Organizational Requirements ................................................................. 31 3.4 Permitting and Approval Process........................................................................................ 35 Chapter 4 – Survey Questionnaire ................................................................................................ 37 4.1 Survey Results .................................................................................................................... 38 4.1.1 Alberta’s Residential Solar PV Strengths & Weaknesses ........................................... 38 4.1.2 Opportunities for Growth in Residential Solar PV ...................................................... 39 4.1.3 Impact of Changing Provincial Governments.............................................................. 40 4.1.4 Comparison with Other Jurisdictions and Industries ................................................... 41 4.1.5 Viability of a Solar Standard and Body ....................................................................... 42 Chapter 5 - Conclusion and Recommendations ............................................................................ 44 5.1 Best Practices – Bylaw Approaches ................................................................................... 44 5.2 Best Practices – Incentive Policies ..................................................................................... 44 5.3 Best Practices – Qualification and Accreditation Policies .................................................. 46 v 5.4 Conclusion and Summary of Recommendations ................................................................ 47 Chapter 6 – Limitations and Future Research............................................................................... 49 References ..................................................................................................................................... 51 Appendix A - Bylaws.................................................................................................................... 63 Appendix B – Solar Qualifications ............................................................................................... 65 Appendix C – Survey Questions ................................................................................................... 67 Appendix D – Summarized Survey Results.................................................................................. 68 vi List of Tables Table 1 - Calgary and Edmonton Bylaw Requirements for Residential Solar ............................. 16 Table 2 - MCCAC Best Practice Approach for Permitting .......................................................... 36 List of Figures Figure 1 - Florida Annual Solar Installations ............................................................................... 21 Figure 2 - Ontario's Renewable Energy Standard Offer Program ................................................ 25 Figure 3 - German Feed-In Tariff Value....................................................................................... 28 vii List of Abbreviations AMSP: Alberta Municipal Solar Program CanSIA: Canadian Solar Industries Association CEIP: Clean Energy Improvement Program FIT: Feed-in Tariff kW: Kilowatt kWh: Kilowatt-hour MCCAC: Municipal Climate Change Action Centre MGA:
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