The Solar Club.
Updated: Jun 30
The solar club is a way for solar micro-generators to earn a fair rate for the excess green electricity they produce and transmit back to the grid.
The program is tailored to assist small solar micro-generators to maximize the benefits of their solar panels and earn a premium on their solar electricity to promote the development of more environmentally-friendly electricity grid in Alberta.
Eligibility.
This program is intended for residential, farm, and small commercial consumers who both import and export electricity to the grid.
Keep in mind that the program may not be suitable for you unless you have a system that generates at least 80% of your annual home energy consumption. During your initial proposal, your solar designer can inform you about the amount of offset your system will be able to accommodate.
The Process.
The process is simple: switch between low and high electricity rates based on the season. During the summer, use the high rate to sell your excess electricity back to the grid and earn more credits. During the winter, switch to the low rate to save money when you buy electricity from the grid, and use those credits accumulated during the summer.
Solar Club members can switch rates penalty-free with just 10 days notice to accommodate seasonal fluctuations. At the time of writing, the current high rate is around 30 cents/kWh and 12.50 cents/kWh for the low rate.
The Decision.
The decision is entirely up to you. Following the deregulation of Alberta's energy market over a decade ago, there are numerous Energy Marketers to select from to acquire power. These Energy Marketers are locally owned and managed, and they each have different methods for supporting the community. You are not limited to purchase power solely from the power line owners, such as Enmax, Fortis, or Epcor.
If you are unable to make a decision, please contact us, and we would be delighted to assist you!