Alberta Environmental Fee
Rocksolar Canada | Alberta solar panel recycling
Planning a solar purchase in Alberta? An environmental fee helps fund the collection and recycling of solar panels when they reach the end of their service life.
CAD $14 per eligible solar module
Effective October 1, 2026, Alberta’s solar recycling program applies a CAD $14 environmental fee per eligible module sold within or into the province. The Alberta Recycling Management Authority (ARMA) administers the program.
Eligible products include crystalline silicon and thin-film solar panels measuring 1 square metre or larger, used in residential, commercial, industrial, and utility projects. The fee is based on the number of eligible panels, rather than their wattage or selling price. Smaller panels fall outside this stated size threshold.
Buying from Rocksolar Canada
Allow for the applicable environmental fee when budgeting for an Alberta order. If your business is an ARMA-registered Remitter, provide Rocksolar Canada with your registration number before your order is invoiced so your status and any applicable exemption can be verified. Contact our team to review the treatment of your specific order.
A Remitter registration number generally begins with “R”; a Payment-on-Purchase registration number generally begins with “P”. A registration number alone should not be treated as proof that every transaction is exempt.
Who pays and remits the fee?
ARMA distinguishes between Remitters and Payment-on-Purchase (POP) suppliers. The following describes sales by a registered Remitter:
| Customer | Fee treatment |
|---|---|
| Another registered Remitter | Generally exempt at this stage; the purchasing Remitter handles the fee on subsequent eligible sales. |
| POP supplier | The selling Remitter collects and remits the fee. |
| Homeowner, other end user, or unregistered business | The selling Remitter collects and remits the fee. |
POP suppliers pay the fee when buying inventory from registered suppliers. They recover that cost from customers and keep purchase invoices showing the fees paid, rather than remitting the same fee again. A Remitter buying from a POP supplier may still pay the fee because the POP supplier has already incurred it.
Example: a 20-panel Alberta project
For 20 eligible modules, the environmental fee is 20 × CAD $14 = CAD $280. With 5% GST on the fee, the total is CAD $294. This is the fee and related GST only, excluding equipment, installation, and other charges.
Where registered Remitters supply one another, collection generally moves down the chain until a sale requires payment. It is not intended to create repeated remittances for the same module.
Existing inventory and supplier records
Stock purchased before October 1, 2026 is not automatically exempt when sold after the program begins. Ask ARMA about the treatment of inventory held at launch.
Remitters must retain evidence supporting exemptions. ARMA Connect allows businesses to check supplier and customer status and maintain those relationships. Its reporting guide covers sales, returns, disposals, and adjustments. Reports and payments are due within 30 days after the reporting period closes.
Registration and further information
- Register with ARMA
- ARMA solar recycling program and eligible panels
- Supplier classifications and responsibilities
- Reporting and remittance guide
For program questions, contact ARMA at electronics_renewables@albertarecycling.ca or 1-888-999-8762.
Questions about your purchase? Contact Rocksolar Canada through the contact options on this website and include your order reference and, where applicable, your ARMA registration number.
Updated November 4, 2026. This page provides general information. Confirm your classification, exemptions, reporting duties, and tax treatment with ARMA or your professional advisor.