Renewable Energy
Renewable energy comes from renewable sources, including sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves, and geothermal heat. Renewable energy technologies collect this energy to heat our water, generate our electricity needs, cook our food, and cool our homes.
Installing renewable energy technologies in your home is an investment in the environment and in our future, and there are many options to explore.
Getting started with Renewable Energy
- Green Energy Futures
Green Energy Futures is a multi-media storytelling project documenting the clean energy revolution underway. It tells the stories of green energy pioneers who are moving forward in their homes, businesses and communities. - Efficiency Manitoba
Efficiency Manitoba is dedicated to energy efficiency and manages energy efficiency rebates and incentive programs. - Clean Energy Canada
Clean Energy Canada is a climate and clean energy think tank within the Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue at Simon Fraser University. It works to accelerate Canada’s clean energy transition by sharing the story of the global shift to renewable energy sources and clean technology. - Generating Your Own Electricity - Manitoba HydroYou can generate electricity for your home with alternative energy technologies (biomass, fuel oil generation, small scale hydro, solar, and wind). Use the electricity that your system produces and reduce the amount of electricity that you buy from Manitoba Hydro. If you generate more energy than you use, the excess can be sold back to Manitoba Hydro at the non-utility generation price.
Solar energy
The sun provides us with light and heat. Sunlight is a renewable resource that can be captured through solar photovoltaic or solar thermal technology systems. Both systems collect the sun's rays, but solar photovoltaic systems are used to produce electricity and solar thermal systems are used to produce heat.
- The Atlas of Canada - Clean Energy Resources and ProjectsNatural Resources Canada's Map of Clean Energy Resources and Projects (CERP) shows Canada’s clean energy projects are located and how much clean energy resource potential exists across the country, including solar generating stations.
- Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA)
The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) is the voice for wind energy, solar energy and energy storage solutions that will power Canada’s energy future. - Energy Hub - Manitoba
This website provides information about installing solar in Manitoba including solar incentives, regional geography, electrical utilities, and access to solar, as of 2019. - Green Energy Equipment Tax Credit - Province of ManitobaProperty owners who install a geothermal heat pump system or solar thermal energy system in Manitoba can receive tax credits from the Manitoba government.
Geothermal energy
Geothermal energy uses the constant temperature in the Earth to heat and cool buildings. A series of pipes are dug into the earth and connected to a pump. This pump uses a basic refrigeration cycle to capture and distribute heat from the ground into a house during the winter, and from the house into the ground during summer.
- Geothermal Program - Efficiency ManitobaIf you are constructing a new building or replacing your current heating and cooling system, consider a geothermal heat pump. Geothermal systems are among the most energy efficient, comfortable, and environmentally friendly heating and cooling systems available.
- Green Energy Equipment Tax Credit - Province of ManitobaProperty owners who install a geothermal heat pump system or solar thermal energy system in Manitoba can receive tax credits from the Manitoba government.
Wind energy
Wind energy results as the wind blows and turns the blades of large windmills, also called turbines. This motion generates power that is converted to electricity. Wind turbines are often associated with large wind farms, but some individuals have them for home energy needs. These are more common in rural areas, as most cities and towns have by-laws in effect that restrict the height of structures.
Wind energy is the fastest growing energy source in the world with a growth rate of 11% and more each year!
- Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA)The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) is the voice for wind energy, solar energy and energy storage solutions that will power Canada’s energy future.
- St. Leon Wind FarmSt. Leon Wind Farm is Manitoba's first wind farm, in St. Leon, Manitoba, Canada.
- Wind Energy Institute of CanadaThe Wind Energy Institute of Canada is a not-for-profit entity formed in 1981 that advances the development of wind energy across Canada through research, testing, innovation and collaboration.