The Clean Energy Improvement Program is one of the strongest solar financing tools available in Alberta, but it's not available everywhere and the windows open and close as municipalities allocate funding. Here's the current picture as of November 2025.
What CEIP Actually Is
CEIP is a municipal financing mechanism that lets homeowners borrow money for clean energy upgrades at 3.75% interest, repaid through the property tax bill over up to 20 years. The loan stays with the property, not the borrower, which means it transfers to the next owner if you sell. Applications go through the provincial portal at ceip.abmunis.ca.
The program is funded municipally, which means each city controls its own window. When a city's CEIP allocation is exhausted, new applications pause until additional funding is approved. Program windows can reopen, but timing varies by municipality.
Current CEIP Status by City
| City | CEIP Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Edmonton | Open | EPCOR distribution. Applications through ceip.abmunis.ca. |
| Calgary | Paused | ENMAX Solar Club available as alternative. Retail-rate net billing. |
| Lethbridge | Open | FortisAlberta distribution. Strong sun hours help payback. |
| Airdrie | Open | Fast-growing Calgary-adjacent market. |
| St. Albert | Open | EPCOR service. Newer housing stock, strong solar candidates. |
| Medicine Hat | Open | Municipal utility. Highest annual sun hours in province. |
| Strathcona County (Sherwood Park) | Open | FortisAlberta distribution. |
| Spruce Grove | Paused | Conventional financing options available. |
| Grande Prairie | Paused | HELOC and green energy loans workable alternative. |
| Red Deer | Check status | Contact us for current confirmation. |
| Fort McMurray | No program | ATCO Electric service. High usage improves solar economics. |
| Slave Lake | No program | ATCO Electric service. Conventional financing available. |
What to Do If CEIP Is Paused in Your City
A paused CEIP window doesn't mean solar doesn't make sense. It means you need to model the economics against conventional financing rather than 3.75% property tax financing. For most homeowners with home equity, a HELOC at current rates produces monthly payments in a similar range to CEIP, and the savings picture over 25 years is still compelling.
The key question is always the same: does the monthly financing payment come in below the monthly electricity savings? For most Alberta homes with south-facing roof exposure and electricity bills above $150 per month, the answer is yes regardless of whether CEIP is available. We model both scenarios in every proposal so you can see the comparison clearly.
CEIP Application Process
If your city has an active program, the application goes through ceip.abmunis.ca. You need a qualified solar proposal from an approved installer before you apply. Our team prepares CEIP-ready documentation and supports the application from submission through approval. The typical timeline is 2 to 4 weeks for municipal approval, then installation proceeds once approval is confirmed.
Program windows can change. The status above reflects our current information, but we recommend confirming with us before making any decisions based on CEIP availability in your city. We track program status actively and will tell you what we know.
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