THE TRUTH ABOUT SOLAR

SIX COMMON MYTHS ABOUT SOLAR — DEBUNKED

Solar power is exactly that — powerful — though it’s often misunderstood.  

When you hear the term “solar power,” you may have some hesitations about how it will work in our climate and how it can impact your bill. If you think solar isn’t for you, think again! Now is a great time to consider installing a solar photovoltaic (PV) system. Plus, there are rebates and financing available to help with the upfront costs.  

We’ve put together a list of six solar myths and why they’re inaccurate. Let’s debunk them together and discover the truth about solar.   

Myth #1: Solar will eliminate my energy bill

This myth is simply false. Using solar power won’t remove your energy bill entirely, though it can reduce it. 

Your bill amount largely depends on how you and the people in your household or building use electricity. Since solar power reaches its peak generation during the day, you can maximize your solar use by doing your laundry or running your dishwasher during the day.  

It’s important to know that you’ll still need to be connected to Manitoba Hydro’s grid to purchase electricity during the evening and night as well as on cloudy, rainy, and snowy days when solar power isn’t as effective. The following image shows how solar power overlaps with your electricity usage:  

If you aren’t using all the electricity produced by your solar PV system throughout the day, you can sell the excess energy back to Manitoba Hydro for a credit on your account. This concept is known as net billing.  Keep in mind that you pay more to buy electricity from Manitoba Hydro than you’ll receive when selling excess electricity back to them.  

To sum it up, using energy during your solar PV system’s peak generation period will help you maximize your savings.   

Read this article to learn more about solar power and your energy bill.  

Myth #2: Solar will power my home/building, even during a power outage

Grid-connected solar PV systems don’t provide power during Manitoba Hydro electrical grid outages unless they have a battery backup system. Solar PV systems are designed to shut down during outages to stop electricity from flowing back to the grid to protect workers.  

If you own a solar PV system with battery storage, you’ll have the option to select which circuits will keep using power during an outage. This is one way to guarantee you’ll have power during an outage!   

Myth #3: Installing solar means going off the grid

Most solar PV systems are still connected to the Manitoba Hydro electric grid, so once the sun is down, you can rely on renewable electricity from the grid. It’s possible to install an off-grid solar system if you use batteries for power, but most users will keep their system grid-connected to ensure they’re covered during the darker hours.  

In order to be eligible for our Solar Rebate Program, your solar PV system must be connected to the Manitoba Hydro grid.

Myth #4: Solar power doesn’t work when it’s cloudy

If there’s cloud coverage, solar power won’t work…right? Wrong!   

When the sun shines onto your solar panels, the PV cells absorb energy from the sun. The more sun, the more energy the panels will produce. Even if it’s cloudy, the solar PV system can still generate electricity — it’ll just be less effective.  

Myth #5: Solar power doesn’t work in the winter months

Solar panels need light to generate electricity — not heat. This means cold winter temperatures don’t impact the effectiveness of your solar PV system. Although your solar PV system generates less power in the winter months due to shorter and typically cloudier days than in the summer, your system will still generate electricity.   

One thing to watch out for is snow collecting on your solar panels. If they’re covered, they won’t generate power. However, depending on the angle of your panels (and pitch of your roof for roof-mounted systems), snow can slide off, and performance won’t be impacted. Your contractor may also suggest using a snow brush to help remove snow. Plus, as the sun comes out, it’ll heat your panels and help the snow slide off.

Myth #6: Solar power requires extensive maintenance

This is a common misconception! While we recommend getting periodic inspections to ensure everything is running smoothly and keeping your panels clear of leaves, foliage, and snow, nothing else is required of you.  

If you suspect your solar PV system isn’t working properly or if you spot any issues, contact a technician and have them look at it.  

It’s important to have all the information before you install a solar PV system at your home or business. We recommend requesting quotes from at least three contractors before signing a contract. This way, you’ll be able to ask questions and get the information you need to make an informed decision.   

To learn more about solar PV systems, read our customer guide or check out our series of articles.   

OUR SOLAR PROGRAMS

Visit our program pages to learn more and find out if you’re eligible:

SOLAR FOR YOUR HOME

We offer a rebate of $0.50 per direct current (DC) watt installed on homes connected to Manitoba Hydro’s grid, up to a maximum of 10 kW and $5,000 per home.

SOLAR FOR YOUR BUSINESS

We offer a rebate of $0.50 per direct current (DC) watt installed on businesses connected to Manitoba Hydro’s grid.


PROJECT FEATURE: PALMER BADGER & CO.

HOW LIGHTING UPGRADES TRANSFORMED THE PALMER BADGER & CO. OFFICE

Our Business Lighting Program offers financial incentives for businesses who complete energy-efficient lighting upgrades in their buildings. With our help, Palmer Badger & Co. upgraded the lighting in their office, helping them save money and become a brighter business. 

THE PROJECT

Palmer Badger & Co. replaced their entire office’s lighting and we provided them with an incentive for it! Their contractor, Gerry from G&K Electric, applied for the incentive on their behalf and completed the entire installation in three short days.  

They installed 28 new LED bulbs in the basement and 65 new LED fixtures in the main office area, giving the space a brand-new look. 

“We are an accounting firm, and our new lighting was installed during our busiest season,” Barb Connolly of Palmer Badger & Co. said. “Everyone involved did their utmost to accommodate us, and everything went smoother than expected.”  

THE SAVINGS

Aesthetics isn’t the only benefit of LED fixtures. The upgrades will save Palmer Badger & Co. from purchasing fluorescent lightbulbs and changing ballasts, as well as replacement costs that quickly added up. We gave the firm an incentive of $3,460 toward the upgrades, which includes the additional 25% customer bonus that we’re offering on all lighting projects. Plus, it’s estimated they’ll save over 18,000 kWh in electricity annually, which translates to $900 in savings each year on their energy bills. 

THE PROCESS

Efficiency Manitoba makes the process easy. Through our new online application system, myEM, building owners can apply on their own or their lighting suppliers or contractors can apply on their behalf. 

After the application and installation were complete at Palmer Badger & Co., G&K Electric submitted the invoice, Barb signed off to confirm the work was finished, and our team sent Palmer Badger & Co. their incentive cheque. The process was seamless and in a short amount of time, the firm had a refreshed space to enjoy. 

“The LED lighting is far superior to our previous lighting,” Barb said. “I would encourage businesses to take advantage of Efficiency Manitoba’s program — they can have a brighter future with less maintenance.” 

ARE YOU A BUILDING OWNER? 

Building owners or their lighting suppliers or contractors can apply for financial incentives through the Business Lighting Program on our website. Check out our program guide to see our incentive rates and eligibility requirements. 

ARE YOU A LIGHTING SUPPLIER OR CONTRACTOR?

We encourage you to join our supplier network. You’ll be listed on our website as a registered Efficiency Manitoba supplier and can offer our programs to your customers. You’ll also have access to training opportunities and materials offered by our team of experts and can promote our energy efficiency programs in your advertising. The best part? It’s free to register and participate!  

PROJECT FEATURE: ASHAM CURLING SUPPLIES

SWEEPING IN THE SAVINGS THROUGH OUR INDIGENOUS SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM 

We take the guesswork out of energy efficiency for your small business by providing full-service solutions. 

When Winnipeg’s Asham Curling Supplies was looking to make energy efficiency upgrades to their store, we were there to help. By taking part in our Indigenous Small Business Program, Asham upgraded their lighting for free. 

Whether you’re First Nation or Red River Métis, our Indigenous Small Business Program covers labour and material costs so business owners can focus on what they do best: serving the community. 

ARE YOU A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER? 

If you’re the owner of a small business and looking to make energy efficiency upgrades, we can help! Our small business programs are full-service solutions to help your business become more energy efficient. We’ll install free basic energy-saving products and complete a free lighting and pitched roof attic insulation assessment of your business to see if you could benefit from a Premium Upgrade.  

CONDO LIVING

HOW BUILDING ENVELOPE UPGRADES CAN SAVE YOU ENERGY & MONEY

An energy-efficient building envelope — the roof, walls, windows, and doors of a building — is one of the most effective ways to save energy in condominium buildings and reduce energy bills for owners and residents. By separating the outside environment from the inside, the building envelope ensures that occupants can enjoy optimal comfort no matter the season. 

Our Building Envelope Program offers financial incentives to owners who complete energy efficiency upgrades to their commercial buildings. We provide incentives for roof and wall insulation, window and door upgrades, and curtain wall upgrades.

BENEFITS OF BUILDING ENVELOPE UPGRADES

A high-performing building envelope is crucial in any climate. This becomes even more important in regions like Manitoba, which sees extremes in both heat and cold. In addition to keeping warm air in during the winter and warm air out during the summer, a strong building envelope protects residents from snow, rain, lightning, and strong winds. By reducing condensation and drafts and lowering heating and cooling costs, an upgraded building envelope helps condo building owners and suite owners save energy, money, and the environment. 

Building envelope upgrades improve the airtightness of a space. They can improve indoor air quality for residents because it provides a barrier to outdoor pollutants such as dust, smoke, and pollen. Furthermore, residents can enjoy reduced noise since airtightness helps to soundproof a building, something that benefits condo suite owners who may have hundreds of neighbours.  

A high-performing building envelope enhances a building’s durability and is able to withstand Manitoba’s varying climate. Building envelope upgrades can also improve building aesthetic and value. 

Overall, these benefits lead to improved comfort. Not only will current residents be more inclined to stay, but potential future residents may also be drawn to the energy-efficient and money-saving features of the building.  

HOW MUCH YOU CAN SAVE

Through our Building Envelope Program, we’ll cover up to 100% of roof and wall insulation material costs, up to 100% of the incremental cost of a punched or in-fill window replacement, and up to 100% of the incremental cost of the glazing on a door replacement. Eligible doors include sliding patio, garden, single-swinging, rolling, and folding style. 

For curtain walls, we offer up to $3,000 in energy modelling support plus incentives for the upgrade or replacement.  

We’re here to help you along the way, offering free technical support and advice throughout your project. Taking part in the Building Envelope Program saves you money not only in the short term with our incentives, but also in the long term, as you’ll see savings year after year on your energy bills.  

  START SAVING TODAY

To qualify for the Building Envelope Program, the building owner must be renovating an existing building that’s heated primarily with electricity or natural gas. Renovations must include energy efficiency upgrades. 

A contractor or consultant can assist with the planning and scope of your project. We recommend speaking with and getting estimates from at least three contractors before deciding who’s the right fit for your project. Your chosen contractor must be a registered Efficiency Manitoba supplier.  

Once you apply, we’ll review your project and let you know your estimated incentive amount. We need to approve your project before any work starts. 

For insulation projects, a minimum of 1,000  square feet of roof or wall insulation must be installed for each incentive application. For window and door projects, a minimum of 10 square metres of window or door area must be installed for each incentive application. 

After your project is complete, submit the completion declaration and invoices to us and we’ll send you your incentive!  

We offer a number of programs for condo building owners and suite owners. Before starting any energy efficiency project, be sure to check Efficiency Manitoba first. 

A SUSTAINABILITY MILESTONE: EFFICIENCY MANITOBA CELEBRATES OVER ONE MILLION ENERGY-EFFICIENT PRODUCTS REBATED AT PARTICIPATING RETAILERS

Manitobans are encouraged to access instant rebates at select retail locations until November 16, 2023

Efficiency Manitoba is proud to announce the milestone achievement of having rebated over one million energy-saving products through their seasonal in-store instant product rebate campaigns. This translates into approximately 23.4 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity savings, positively contributing to Efficiency Manitoba’s energy savings targets. The electricity saved through the campaigns to date is enough to heat approximately 1,500 homes in Manitoba for one year.

As one of over 40 offers tailored to help Manitobans save energy and money, Efficiency Manitoba provides seasonal point-of-sale product rebates at participating retail locations. The objective of these particular product rebates is to encourage Manitobans to make purchases that will help them save money on their utility bills. Via Efficiency Manitoba’s coordination with retailers throughout the province, the prices of select products are reduced instantly at the point of purchase, making participation easy and convenient.

”Providing rebates on energy-saving products is a great way to make life more affordable for families while helping Manitoba meet our climate targets,” said Tracy Schmidt, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. “I look forward to working with Efficiency Manitoba to explore further ways to expand access to sustainable options for Manitobans.”

Instant rebates are currently being offered on over 1,100 individual products, providing a wide variety of options for consumers. Eligible product categories include ENERGY STAR® certified specialty LED bulbs and fixtures, dimmers, motion sensors, timers, outdoor plug timers, energy-efficient showerheads, window and door insulating film kits, weatherstripping, and ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostats. Beyond energy efficiency, these products also provide additional benefits like improved lighting quality, reduced drafts, and a more comfortable living environment.

“We’re very excited that so many Manitobans are seeing the value of making energy-efficient purchasing decisions,” said Colleen Kuruluk, CEO of Efficiency Manitoba. “The purchase of energy-efficient products might feel small, but as made apparent by this milestone, the cumulative effects are making a significant impact on reducing energy consumption in Manitoba. This achievement is made possible by the participation of our retail partners across Manitoba, and we’re grateful for all the hard work they put in to make each of our instant rebate campaigns successful.”

Best Buy, Canadian Tire, Costco, Federated Co-operatives, Home Depot, Home Hardware, McMunn and Yates, and WM Dyck & Sons are participating in the current campaign, totaling 79 retail locations in over 40 Manitoba communities. Retailers and Efficiency Manitoba work together closely to make the shopping experience as straightforward as possible for customers. All retailers receive Efficiency Manitoba-branded point-of-purchase materials to label eligible products and promote the instant rebate offer in general, increasing customer awareness and encouraging the sale of energy-saving technologies.

“Participating in Efficiency Manitoba’s instant rebate campaigns has boosted our sales and we’ve received positive feedback from our customers,” said Arthur Zotovas, Plumbing and Electrical Sales at WM Dyck & Sons in Niverville. “Efficiency Manitoba has designed their rebates to be easy to understand for both our business and customers by providing us with great signage that we display across our store, and their representatives answer all our questions with swiftness. I don’t think we’d be seeing the type of sales we’ve had if it wasn’t for these rebates. It’s a great initiative for our customers to save money and make their homes more energy efficient.”

Efficiency Manitoba’s current instant rebate campaign runs until November 16. Eligible products are available at select participating locations of the listed retailers while quantities last. The specific selection of eligible products varies by retailer and store location — see store for details. A list of eligible products and participating retail locations can be found at efficiencyMB.ca/instantrebates.

One million rebated products, by the numbers*

*Sales figures and rebate dollars are approximations based on interim sales data provided by participating retailers. Energy and bill savings figures are based on averages from historical consumption data and current energy rates respectively.

About Efficiency Manitoba

Efficiency Manitoba is Manitoba’s Crown corporation dedicated to energy efficiency. With legislated long-term energy savings targets to achieve, the organization has over 40 diverse programs and offers available to help Manitobans save energy, money, and the environment.  

Release date: November 1, 2023

PROJECT FEATURE: SOLOMON’S HOME, GARDEN & GIFT

BRILLIANT SAVINGS THROUGH OUR BUSINESS LIGHTING PROGRAM

Solomon’s Home, Garden & Gift, a local family-owned greenhouse in the heart of Portage la Prairie, recently got a lot brighter thanks to our Business Lighting Program! 

Through our program, Solomon’s upgraded their old lighting to new, energy-efficient LED fixtures. Not only are they giving their plants even better lighting, they’re also saving on their energy bills. It’s expected that they’ll save an impressive 59,000 kWh of electricity annually and nearly $3,000 each year on their energy bills. Plus, we provided them with an incentive of $7,000 for their upgrade. 

ARE YOU A BUILDING OWNER? 

Building owners or their lighting suppliers or contractors can apply for financial incentives through the Business Lighting Program on our website. Check out our program guide to see our incentive rates and eligibility requirements.  

ARE YOU A CONTRACTOR?

We encourage you to join our supplier network. You’ll be listed on our website as a registered Efficiency Manitoba supplier and can offer our programs to your customers. You’ll also have access to training opportunities and materials offered by our team of experts and can promote our energy efficiency programs in your advertising. The best part? It’s free to register and participate!  

RAKE IN THE SAVINGS THIS FALL

CHECK EFFICIENCY MANITOBA FIRST

Keep your home warm and cozy this fall! Our programs and rebates make it easy for you to save energy and money throughout the heating season. Plus, it’s a great time to start planning your energy efficiency renovations for spring! 

We’re also here to be your number one resource for expert energy efficiency advice. Our articles are full of tips to make small changes in your daily routine that can result in big changes to your energy bill, helping you save now and for years to come. 

BEFORE PLANNING YOUR NEXT ENERGY EFFICIENCY UPGRADE, CHECK EFFICIENCY MANITOBA FIRST.

FALL SAVINGS ADVICE FROM THE EXPERTS

Fall tips

Fall tips

When you get home from spending time in the crisp fall air, you’ll want a warm and cozy space to welcome you. By following these energy-saving tips, your home will be ready for cooler weather and you’ll save on heating costs!
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Unplug & explore Manitoba

Unplug & explore Manitoba

Check out these overnight trips to unplug and explore Manitoba.
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Save energy at home this fall

Save energy at home this fall

Fall is just around the corner! We have some tips to help you save energy at home this season. Head to our website to check them out!
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Save energy at work this fall

Save energy at work this fall

Fall is a season of change, from the leaves turning red and gold to the geese flying south. Now is a great time to consider how you’re using energy around your workplace and make some changes of your own!
Continue Reading…

Looking for more information? Check out our fall series!

Fall 2023 magazine

What’s the most suitable energy efficiency upgrade for your home? How can you save energy in the kitchen? How do you talk to kids about energy efficiency?  

The latest edition of our magazine answers all these questions and more. Check your mailbox for a physical copy or click the magazine below to learn more about our programs and rebates, seasonal energy-saving tips, and other energy efficiency-related content (including a tasty recipe!).

 

If you haven’t received a magazine or prefer an electronic copy, download the digital version.

Our electronic fall magazine is now available in French! Read the French magazine here or download the digital version to have on hand for your energy efficiency needs.

EFFICIENCY MANITOBA TO INVEST UP TO $2 MILLION TO PROVIDE COMMUNITY ICE RINKS WITH ENERGY-EFFICIENT LIGHTING UPGRADES

Up to 100% funding will be provided to ice rink facilities in Manitoba, reducing energy consumption and operating costs

Efficiency Manitoba is launching a new limited-time initiative aiming to help communities throughout the province reduce their energy bills and operating costs. Through the Community Rink Lighting Initiative, the Crown corporation will be providing funding to help multiple facilities with indoor ice rinks replace their inefficient lighting, covering up to 100% of reasonable lighting equipment and associated labour costs.

“Rinks and arenas serve as the social hub of many communities. However, many of them are operating on limited revenue streams and may not otherwise be able to benefit from energy-saving upgrades without additional financial support,” said Kevin Klein, Minister of Environment and Climate and the Minister responsible for Efficiency Manitoba. “We are very pleased to see Efficiency Manitoba provide funding to help improve the energy efficiency and lighting quality of these important community meeting and recreation spaces.”

From September 1 to December 1, 2023, Efficiency Manitoba will be accepting Expressions of Interest from eligible applicants. Submissions will be reviewed and funding will be allocated to a variety of projects with the intent of supporting urban, rural, remote, and First Nation communities throughout Manitoba.

“Replacing inefficient lighting in rinks can lead to significant electricity savings,” said Colleen Kuruluk, CEO of Efficiency Manitoba. “Energy-efficient lighting over ice surfaces provides an opportunity to generate even more energy savings than typical lighting upgrades. Not only will these facilities save money upfront with Efficiency Manitoba funding, but they’ll also benefit from long-term savings on their energy bills. The reduced financial strain resulting from our support is good for the facility and the entire community.”

The advantages of improved lighting in community centres and arenas go beyond saving energy and lower bills. The improved light quality and brightness also creates a more pleasant indoor environment; shadows and glares are diminished, which benefits spectators and athletes alike. More efficient lighting has a longer useful life, resulting in decreased maintenance costs and downtime required for replacement. Additionally, inefficient lighting in these facilities tends to operate concurrently with Manitoba Hydro’s peak delivery requirement; winter evenings when energy use is at its highest. Targeting these types of facilities with efficiency improvements helps reduce strain on the electric grid.

Ongoing work with four facilities served as the catalyst for the Community Rink Lighting Initiative. When working with Deer Lodge Curling Club in Winnipeg, the communities of St. Malo and St. Pierre, and the Morden Curling Club to complete energy efficiency upgrades, Efficiency Manitoba recognized the additional financial needs experienced by these types of facilities.

“The Deer Lodge Curling Club is extremely excited to be a part of this new initiative through Efficiency Manitoba and we are grateful that they are including us in this initiative,” said Corey Thompson, Deer Lodge Curling Club President. “Curling clubs are a challenging business to run as budgets are small and money for capital improvements is tough to come by—especially coming out of the pandemic. The outdated lighting fixtures are costing the curling club thousands of dollars each month, and being able to complete this project thanks to Efficiency Manitoba will make an immediate and impactful difference on the bottom line.”

 “Communities are facing unprecedented challenges as they are still reeling from the impact of the recent pandemic; this has in turn greatly affected the economic, environmental, and social sustainability of these buildings. This Efficiency Manitoba initiative is a timely one as it will help operators achieve sustainability-focused energy solutions for their facilities,” said Dany Robidoux, Executive Director of Eco-West Canada.

Those who are interested in receiving funding through the Community Rink Lighting Initiative are encouraged to visit efficiencyMB.ca between September 1 and December 1, 2023 to submit their Expression of Interest, or email lighting@efficiencyMB.ca for more information.

About Efficiency Manitoba

Efficiency Manitoba is Manitoba’s Crown corporation dedicated to energy efficiency. With legislated long-term energy savings targets to achieve, the organization has over 40 diverse programs and offers available to help Manitobans save energy, money, and the environment.  

Release date: August 3, 2023

PROJECT FEATURE: CARLYLE PRINTERS, SERVICE & SUPPLIES

SKY-HIGH SAVINGS THROUGH OUR BUILDING ENVELOPE PROGRAM

As one of the largest providers of printing supplies in Manitoba, the folks at Carlyle Printers, Service & Supplies Ltd. wanted to make their business more energy efficient. To save energy, help the environment (and reduce costs), they upgraded their roof insulation through our Building Envelope Program. Not only have they already realized savings of $3,600 on their energy bills in the first six months, we gave them an incentive of $11,800 for their upgrade. 

The process was easy. We approved their project, Transcona Roofing did the work, and once we received the completion declaration, we sent the incentive straight to them. Watch this video to learn more about Carlyle Printers’ experience! 

ARE YOU A BUILDING OWNER? 

Building owners or contractors can apply for financial incentives through our Building Envelope Program on our website. We need to approve your project to make sure it meets the eligibility requirements, and you’ll receive your incentive after the upgrades are complete. Check out our incentive details to learn more. 

ARE YOU A CONTRACTOR?

We highly encourage you to join our supplier network. You’ll be listed on our website as a registered Efficiency Manitoba supplier and can offer our programs to your customers. You’ll also have access to training opportunities and materials offered by our team of experts and can promote our energy efficiency programs in your advertising. The best part? It’s free to register and participate!