If you are researching solar in Edmonton or Camrose, you are probably wondering whether it actually works here and when the best time to install is. In this article, we will answer both of those questions and walk you through what to expect across the seasons.
If you want to know what solar might cost for your home while you read, take our solar estimate quiz and get a personalized cost range in about two minutes.
do solar panels actually work in Central Alberta?
Yes—more effectively than most people expect.
Alberta gets around 2,300 peak sun hours per year in the Edmonton region and a little more around Camrose. That puts central Alberta among the best solar areas in Canada, ahead of Vancouver, ahead of Toronto, and ahead of most of the Pacific Northwest.
The mix-up comes from thinking cold and dark are the same thing. Edmonton winters are cold, but they are not dark. Clear winter days with bright light bouncing off snow still give your panels something to work with. Solar panels actually perform a little better in cold temperatures than hot ones. Heat reduces how well the cells produce electricity. Your panels will make less power in December than July, but not for the reasons most people think.
how systems are built for alberta’s seasons
A well-designed solar system for central Alberta accounts for seasonal changes from the very start.
Summer days in Edmonton and Camrose are long. Around the solstice, you can get up to 17 hours of daylight. Production during these months is high. Under Alberta’s net metering program, any electricity your system makes beyond what you are using gets credited to your account with your utility provider. You draw from those credits in winter when production is lower.
The result is that a properly sized system can bring your annual electricity bill, not just your summer bills, close to zero. Your installer should be sizing the system to your full year of energy use, not just your peak summer needs.
Panels are also installed at an angle, typically between 30 and 45 degrees in Alberta. This points the panels toward the sun at our latitude and lets snow slide off on its own instead of piling up and blocking production.
how the solar club works with alberta’s seasons
Once your system is installed and connected to the grid, you can join the Solar Club. It is a program built specifically for Alberta solar owners, and it is designed around the same seasonal patterns we just described.
In the months when your system is producing more than you use, you switch to the high rate of around 30 cents per kWh. Every kilowatt you send back to the grid earns you a premium credit. In fall and winter when production drops and you are drawing more from the grid, you switch to the low rate of around 8.77 cents per kWh to keep costs down.
The timing lines up well with Alberta’s solar seasons. Most homeowners switch to the high rate in March or April and back to the low rate in October or November. There is also an automatic switching feature that tracks your production and usage and makes the switch for you.
On top of the flexible rates, members earn three percent cash back on electricity they import each year. Electric vehicle owners earn an additional two percent. For homes that produce 70 percent or more of their annual electricity needs from solar, the Solar Club can take three to four years off the typical payback period.
If you have already signed an installation contract and are waiting for your system to go live, you can access a Pre-Solar Rate of around 6.74 cents per kWh right away. You do not have to wait for installation day to start saving.
when is the best time of year to install?
Whenever you are ready is a good time, but spring and early summer have some practical advantages.
Spring, from March through May, is often the best window. Installers tend to have more flexible schedules coming out of the slower winter season. Permits and city approvals, which usually take three to five weeks in Edmonton, can be finished in time for your system to be fully running for peak summer production. Starting in summer also means you build up the most net metering credits before winter arrives.
Fall installations from September through October are also a solid option. The weather is mild enough for a smooth install, and you will be set up before the colder months push your electricity use higher.
Winter installations are possible. Newo installs year-round in Alberta. Scheduling can be tighter and some roof conditions need more care in cold weather. If you are ready in winter, do not let the season stop you. Just know that lead times may be a little longer.
Every month you wait is another month of electricity bills that solar could have helped offset. If you are thinking about installing this year, take our solar estimate quiz to get a personalized cost range for your home and see what the numbers look like before you commit to anything.
what about hail?
Modern solar panels are built with tempered glass, the same material used in car windshields. They are tested to handle significant hail impact. Panels are also mounted at an angle, which deflects hailstones instead of taking a direct hit. Hail damage to solar panels does happen, but it is not common. Most home insurance policies cover solar installations under your existing coverage. It is worth checking with your insurer before you install.
a note on financing and getting started
There are no provincial rebates for home solar in Alberta as of 2025, but CEIP financing may also be available in some municipalities. Your installer should walk you through what applies to your situation.
The process from quote to installation usually takes six to 10 weeks. If you want your system running by early summer, spring is the time to start the conversation.
Newo Global Energy is an Indigenous-led non-profit solar installer serving Edmonton and Camrose. Every installation we complete supports training and jobs for Indigenous youth in clean energy careers.
Take our two-minute solar estimate quiz to get a personalized cost range for your home, and when you are ready to talk next steps, we are here.
frequently asked questions
what happens to solar panels in an Alberta winter?
Solar panels keep working through Alberta winters. They are installed at an angle so snow slides off naturally, and they actually perform slightly better in cold temperatures than hot ones. Systems are sized to produce a surplus in summer that offsets lower winter production, so your annual output stays strong.
can I install solar in winter in Alberta?
Yes. Newo installs solar year-round in Alberta. Winter installations are possible, though scheduling can be tighter and some roof conditions need more care in cold weather. If you are ready to move forward in winter, do not let the season stop you.
how long do solar panels last in Alberta?
Solar panels are warrantied for 25 to 30 years and often continue producing well beyond that. There are no moving parts, and Alberta’s climate, including cold winters and dry summers, is not hard on panels. Hail damage is possible but rare.
is spring really the best time to install solar in Edmonton or Camrose?
Spring is often the most practical window. Installer schedules are more flexible, permits can be completed before peak summer production begins, and you start building net metering credits right away. That said, you can install any time of year and still get a strong return.
how does net metering work in Alberta?
Net metering means that when your solar system produces more electricity than your home is using, the extra goes back to the grid and shows up as a credit on your bill. In Alberta, this happens most often during long summer days. You draw from those credits in fall and winter when production is lower.