Solar Payback in Medicine Hat 2026
Medicine Hat solar systems typically pay for themselves in 8 years. See the math by system size, with Medicine Hat Electric rates and available Alberta rebates.
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Short answer
Solar in Medicine Hat typically pays back in 8 years for a right-sized 6 to 10 kW residential system. Payback varies with your Medicine Hat Electric rate (average 16.5¢/kWh), 2,500 annual sun hours in Medicine Hat, net system cost after Alberta rebates, and how much production you self-consume. See system-by-system math below.
8 yrs
Typical Payback
16.5¢/kWh
Electricity Rate
2,500
Sun Hours/Year
$2.75/W
Installed Cost
How Medicine Hat Solar Payback Is Calculated
Payback (years) = Net System Cost / Annual Bill Savings
Net system cost is your installed cost minus available rebates. Annual bill savings equal annual production times your effective rate, adjusted for self-consumption. In Medicine Hat, we use 2,500 sun hours, 16% capacity factor, Medicine Hat Electric rate 16.5¢/kWh, and 85% self-consumption.
Assumptions used on this page
- • Installed cost mid-range: $2.75 per watt
- • Annual production: 16% capacity factor times 8,760 hours per year
- • Electricity rate: 16.5¢/kWh flat (does not model TOU or ULO)
- • Rebate: None modelled (some provinces have utility credits or municipal financing)
- • Self-consumption ratio: 85%
- • No rate escalation modelled (real payback is shorter with rate increases)
Medicine Hat Payback by System Size
| System | System cost | Rebate | Net cost | Annual savings | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 kW | $11,000 | — | $11,000 | $786/yr | 14 yrs |
| 6 kW | $16,500 | — | $16,500 | $1,180/yr | 14 yrs |
| 8 kW | $22,000 | — | $22,000 | $1,573/yr | 14 yrs |
| 10 kW | $27,500 | — | $27,500 | $1,966/yr | 14 yrs |
| 12 kW | $33,000 | — | $33,000 | $2,359/yr | 14 yrs |
Estimates assume 16% capacity factor, 16.5¢/kWh, 85% self-consumption, no rate escalation. Actual payback varies with roof orientation, shading, usage pattern, and financing.
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Learn more— Sources: NRCan, Medicine Hat Electric published rates.