Manitoba Hydro has implemented a new Solar Power Program to help its customers harness the power of the sun.

"It's our new power smart solar energy program," said Manitoba Hydro Manager of public affairs Scott Powell. "It combines a couple of aspects. It offers incentives and financial support for both home and commercial customers to adopt solar power and to allow them to generate their own electricity."

According to Powell the incentive can be used for any of their customers, but the benefits and incentives vary for the different types of residences. He noted the incentives can be used to install a solar power system in a seasonal, but the net metering credits are only available while the seasonal building is in use.

"One is an incentive that we pay to customers that will cover roughly twenty-five percent of the up front cost of installing a system," said Powell. "Our photovoltaic incentive is about a dollar per watt of installed capacity. This service is also available to commercial and residential customers."

He noted they also have the financing method through their Residential Earth Power Loan.

"We can finance the remaining balance through our Residential Earth Power Loan. That loan is for a maximum of $30,000 over a period of fifteen years, and can be repayable on your hydro bill," said Powell.

Powell stated with Manitoba Hydro's rates being as low as they are, this program is just giving their users an alternate source of renewable energy.

"Right now over ninety-nine percent of the electrical energy generated in Manitoba is already renewable. It's hydro electric power generated by water. This is an additional choice that customers can use if they are in an area where a service extension maybe particularly difficult or if they really want to get on board with the technology."

In other jurisdictions with higher energy costs, the solar power option is growing in popularity according to Powell. He noted the cost of solar panels and the installation has been decreasing over the last five or six years, and is an emerging technology that they want to be involved in.