The short answer: $2.80 to $3.10 per watt installed in the Edmonton area. A typical home needs 6–12 kW, putting the total cost between $14,000 and $37,000 before financing.
That range is wide because every home is different. Here's what actually determines your cost.
What drives the price
System size is the biggest factor. A home with a $150/month electricity bill might need 6 kW (12 panels). A home running $350/month needs 10–12 kW (20–24 panels). We size every system to eliminate your bill — not to sell you the biggest system possible.
Roof complexity matters. A simple south-facing roof with good pitch installs fast. A multi-level roof with dormers, vents, and plumbing stacks takes more time and may need additional racking. Hip roofs are trickier than gable roofs.
Electrical panel age can add cost. If your panel is older than 25 years or under 200A, it may need an upgrade ($1,500–$3,000) before solar can be connected. We check this during every free assessment.
Equipment quality separates a 15-year system from a 30-year system. We install LONGi Hi-MO 7 500W panels (30-year warranty), APsystems DS3 microinverters (25-year warranty), and RT Mini 2 racking with critter guards standard. These are Tier 1 components — not the cheapest option, but the one that performs for three decades.
Real cost examples from Edmonton-area installs
Here's what actual systems cost, installed, permitted, and connected:
| Home Size | Monthly Bill | System Size | Panels | Installed Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,200 sq ft | $150 | 6 kW | 12 | $16,800 |
| 1,800 sq ft | $220 | 8 kW | 16 | $22,400 |
| 2,400 sq ft | $300 | 10 kW | 20 | $28,000 |
| 3,000+ sq ft | $400+ | 12 kW | 24 | $33,600 |
These are fully installed prices including panels, microinverters, racking, permitting, electrical work, and net metering application. No hidden fees.
Payback period
At current Alberta electricity rates, most systems pay for themselves in 7–8 years. After that, electricity is free for the remaining 20+ years of panel warranty life. Over 30 years, a $22,000 system saves roughly $60,000–$80,000 in avoided electricity costs.
The payback math is simple: if your system eliminates a $250/month bill, that's $3,000/year in savings. A $22,400 system pays back in 7.5 years — faster if electricity rates rise (which they have, every year, for the past decade).
Financing options
Nobody needs to pay upfront. Here are four ways to finance solar in Alberta:
Financeit ($0 down, 6.99%) — Monthly payments typically $150–$190 for a standard system. That's less than the electricity bill it replaces, so you're cash-flow positive from month one. 20-year term. No prepayment penalties.
CEIP (property tax financing) — Available in Edmonton, St. Albert, Leduc, and other municipalities. No credit check. Financing is attached to the property, not you. If you sell, the new owner inherits both the payments and the $0 electricity bill. Rates vary by municipality — Beaumont offers 3.5%.
Cash purchase — We offer a 10% discount for cash. On a $22,400 system, that saves $2,240.
Mortgage roll-in — Add solar to your mortgage at renewal. You get your mortgage rate (typically 4–5%) on the solar portion. Lowest total interest cost.
Compare all financing options →
What's not included in competitor quotes
When comparing quotes, watch for what's excluded. Some installers quote panel cost only, then add installation, electrical, permitting, and racking as extras. Our price is fully installed — everything from the panels to the utility interconnection is included.
Also ask whether they use subcontractors. We don't. Every install is done by our 8 in-house electricians supervised by a Red Seal Master Electrician. That's why our warranty means something — the same team that installs your system will be here to service it.