Commercial Installations
Intricate Renewables delivers engineered solar solutions for Alberta businesses ready to take control of their energy costs and sustainability goals. Whether you're powering a farm, office, warehouse, or retail space, our commercial systems are designed for performance, reliability, and long-term ROI. With deep expertise in energy systems and regulatory frameworks, we help you navigate the technical and financial landscape — so your investment works as hard as you do.
The Intricate Difference
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Engineered for ROI
Our systems are designed to maximize savings and performance — not just meet minimum specs.
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Regulatory expertise
We navigate Alberta’s utility rules and incentive programs so you don’t have to.
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Scalable and battery-ready
Whether you start small or go big, our systems are built to grow with your business.
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Minimal disruption
We plan installations around your operations to keep your business running smoothly.
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Integrated energy strategy
Our team understands how solar fits into broader energy management, including demand response, load shifting, and future electrification.
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Smart load management
We offer solutions that optimize when and how your energy is used, reducing peak demand and improving efficiency.
The Install Process
Step 1: Design and Optimize:
We begin by engaging closely with your business to fully understand your operational needs and energy goals. Our engineering team employs advanced industry-leading tools to design a solar energy system tailored specifically for your commercial property. We analyze factors such as sunlight exposure across different sections of your building’s roof or facility, taking into account shading from adjacent structures, equipment, trees, and other potential obstructions.
This detailed assessment allows us to accurately estimate solar production potential and design a system that maximizes energy generation. Our approach optimizes the orientation and tilt of panels, the integration of components, and the overall electrical system architecture to ensure efficient performance. Throughout the design process, we carefully balance installation costs, regulatory permitting, aesthetics, and long-term economic benefits to deliver the ideal solution for your commercial operation.
We present a comprehensive proposal, often with multiple options to suit various budget and performance priorities. We then review these options with you, discussing the differences and providing expert recommendations. Once you select the best fit, we proceed smoothly into the implementation phase, committed to supporting your transition to clean, cost-effective energy..
Step 2: Permitting
Before commencing any physical installation on your commercial property, obtaining the necessary permits is mandatory. This includes building permits, development permits, and electrical permits, all of which vary depending on your specific jurisdiction within Alberta. Our team of regulatory specialists is experienced in managing these requirements for commercial projects—ranging from small businesses and commercial buildings to industrial facilities—to ensure full compliance with municipal and county regulations.
The process begins with our engineers preparing finalized and stamped drawings for your commercial solar energy system. These documents are essential for applying for the Alberta microgeneration permit. Once this permit is approved, your business essentially becomes a microgenerator, allowing you to produce renewable energy on-site.
Electrical panel upgrades are often necessary in commercial settings due to higher energy demands. Our licensed master electricians handle these upgrades and ensure all electrical work meets code requirements.
Our comprehensive approach streamlines the often complex regulatory landscape for commercial solar installations, allowing your business to transition smoothly to sustainable energy with full adherence to all legal and safety standards.
Step 3: Installation Prep
On the day of the commercial installation, we begin by surveying and confirming the precise locations for the mounting systems—whether roof-mounted or ground-mounted—to support the solar modules. We also identify and map all necessary electrical connection points within the building's infrastructure.
Typically, this involves connecting to rooftop junction boxes or designated electrical panels that integrate the solar energy system with the facility’s existing electrical network. This careful planning ensures seamless integration with the building’s power requirements while maximizing energy production.
Step 4: Installation
Commercial solar installation for buildings and industrial facilities involves a multifaceted process tailored to the specific application and scale of the project. While the exact steps vary according to the commercial needs, the installation generally includes the setup of mounting systems or rack gear along with solar feet to securely anchor the panels.
Next, the electrical components such as cables, wiring, junction boxes, and inverters are carefully installed to ensure efficient power conversion and safety.
The final stage involves placing the solar panels themselves, completing the system designed to optimize energy generation for commercial operations. This approach ensures a sustainable, cost-effective solution adapted to diverse commercial energy requirements.
You can read more about some of the major system components in our blog: Solar 101 Understanding the Basics.
Step 5: Inspections, Commissioning, and Startup
Lastly, the final permit inspections are conducted by your local municipality as well as your electrical utility provider. After these inspections are successfully completed and all requirements met, your power company will install a bi-directional meter. This meter plays a crucial role by accurately measuring both the electricity you purchase from the grid and the excess power your system feeds back into it.
Following the installation of the meter, the setup and commissioning of your solar energy system are finalized. At this point, the system is handed over to you, the property owner, equipped with the tools and information needed to monitor its performance. This allows you to take full control and, who knows, maybe even become an energy nerd like all of us here at Intricate Renewables!
✺ Frequently asked questions ✺
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We provide detailed ROI modeling based on your energy usage, rate structure, and available incentives — so you can make an informed decision.
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Yes. With smart design and optional battery integration, we can help you manage peak loads and reduce grid reliance during high-cost periods.
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Think of your monthly electricity bill as a sunk cost — money you pay every month with no return. With solar, that same payment can go toward owning your energy system. Instead of paying the utility, you’re investing in your own power source.
No Net Change in Monthly Costs: In many cases, your solar install costs (if financing) is similar to your current utility bill — but now you're building equity in a system that adds value to your home.
Offset Rising Rates: Solar protects you from future rate hikes by locking in your energy costs.
Increase Property Value: Properties with solar systems can be more attractive to buyers and often sell for more.
Own Your Power: After the system is paid off, your energy is essentially free — no more monthly bills, just long-term savings. With the trend in energy prices, owning your own power just makes sense long term.
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It’s extremely unlikely.
Solar panels are built to take a beating — and the panels we install are tested to withstand hail up to 25 mm (1 inch) launched at high speed. In Alberta terms: they’re built for our storms, not just sunny days.Most homeowners are surprised to learn that solar glass is often stronger than the glass in your windows or vehicle. Panels sit on a fixed, sturdy frame that doesn't shatter easily, and their tempered glass distributes impact across the surface.
On the rare chance a panel is damaged (usually during extreme hail events), it’s covered under warranty, and replacement is straightforward.
Think of your panels like a windshield made for the weather, not the highway — built thicker, tougher, and ready for Alberta’s mood swings.
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Usually, no.
Snow melts and slides off naturally once the sun comes out — even on cold days — thanks to the slick tempered glass surface.A few important notes:
Most winter production happens on clear, sunny days, not during heavy snowfall.
Losing a bit of production in a snowstorm doesn’t meaningfully affect your annual output — Alberta’s long summer days more than make up for it.
We don’t recommend climbing on your roof to clear snow. Safety first.
If you absolutely want to remove snow from ground mounts or safely accessible areas, use a soft snow rake (never a shovel — metal edges can damage the glass).
Your panels will spend far more time collecting sunlight than wearing a snow blanket. Let physics (and gravity) do the work.
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We work around your schedule to minimize downtime. Most installs are completed with little to no interruption to your business.
Typical installations can take anywhere from 2-6 days, depending on system size, building type, and accessible hours. This excludes the time to get permits - which we handle on your behalf.
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Absolutely. We design scalable systems that can grow with your energy needs and future technologies.
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Very little — we handle everything for you. Intricate Renewables is your one-stop shop for commercial solar.
From initial feasibility assessments and custom engineering to permitting, installation, and post-install support, we manage the entire process so you can stay focused on running your business. We’ll guide you through available incentives, provide clear ROI projections, and ensure your system is optimized for performance and compliance.
All you need to do is tell us your goals — we’ll take care of the rest.
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Very little — they’re designed to be low-maintenance.
Solar panels have no moving parts, which means there’s almost nothing to service. Most homeowners simply:Check production occasionally through the app
Rinse dust or pollen if they notice buildup (rare in Alberta)
Let rain and snow do most of the cleaning
We recommend a professional check every 3–5 years to inspect wiring, mounting hardware, and performance — the same way you’d tune up a furnace or hot water tank.
Our systems also include monitoring, so you can see your performance in real time — and we can help catch issues early. If anything ever needs attention, we’re only a phone call away.
Solar is kind of like a good pair of boots: you use them every day, but they don’t ask for much.