About Solar Club

Doing what we can

Our Vision

To set the standard for micro-generation in Alberta through a unique program by creating the largest virtual solar community in the province, one household, business, and farm at a time.

Our Mission

To provide Albertans with the opportunity to participate in the transition to a net-zero economy through an innovative loyalty program designed to maximize the return on investment for all micro-generators.

The Solar Club™ is part of the Utility Network & Partners Inc. (UTILITYnet) group of companies. Founded in 1978, UTILITYnet is an Alberta based energy management company with over 45 years of experience in Alberta’s energy market. In 2012, UTILITYnet expanded its business with the launch of Green Alberta Energy’s Light Up Alberta program to provide small micro-generators in Alberta with a unique way to participate in greening the grid. As micro-generation regulations changed and evolved, Green Alberta Energy laid the foundation for what is known today as the Solar Club.

The Story of the Solar Club

our journey and where we are today

Solar Club Timeline

1998 UTILITYnet develops a software reporting system called, “Green Report”.  In concert with BP Canada and Talisman Energy, Green Report is designed to report and track NOx (notrogen oxides) and SOx (sulfur oxides) fugitive emissions for Alberta’s oil and gas industry clients.

2010 In February, the first micro-generator is enrolled as a retail customer. In the ensuing years, the company’s business model shifts from focusing on the Green Report business application to building a retail business model focused on future growth in the renewable market.

2012 As an integrated service under UTILITYnet’s Energy Marketer retailing services, “Light Up Alberta” is launched to support and promote solar PV micro-generators in Alberta based on the retail concept of High and Low rates for electricity imports/exports.

2015 In conjunction with the international adoption of the Paris Climate Accords, UTILITYnet expands and becomes the first customer of TransCanada Energy to start purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). The resale program for RECs is unique and allows customers to “green” what they can afford. The price per REC is set at 1.66 cents per KWh and remains a fixed price.

2019 The Solar Club Loyalty Program officially replaces Light Up Alberta program.

2020 Over $1 Million in Total Value Earned by Solar Club Members.

2022 Over $5 Million in Total Value Earned by Solar Club Members. UTILITYnet opens up the Carbon Offset Credit Platform, allowing customers to choose an aggregator and sell the carbon credits generated by their solar PV systems. Customers are able to choose between selling their carbon credits at fixed or variable prices.

2023 Over $8 Million in Total Value Earned by Solar Club Members. The Solar Club raises its HI rate to 30¢/kWh, providing an unprecedented export rate for solar microgenerators.

Solar Club Values

In 2019, we dreamed of a world where homeowners with solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on their rooftops could play an important role in Alberta’s deregulated energy market. Five years later, the Solar Club stands as a testament to the willingness of Albertans to embrace renewables and the incredible success that comes with empowering Albertans to be directly part of the energy transition.

The Solar Club operates on four core pillars:

1.

Improving ROI: By providing excellent rates, a cash back program, and the chance to profit from the sale of carbon credits, Members have vastly improved the returns on their solar investments.

2.

Achieving Net Zero: By aggregating all Members’ exports, we can achieve net zero or even climate-positive status.

3.

Environmental Impact: The Solar Club is committed to a collective environmental statement by exporting 100 million kWh of renewable energy into Alberta’s grid by 2030.

4.

Promoting Renewables: By encouraging the use of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) alongside solar energy exports by our Members.

The Story of the Hummingbird

by Nobel Peace Laureate, Wangari Maathai

One day a terrible fire broke out in a forest – a huge woodlands was suddenly engulfed by a raging wildfire.

Frightened, all the animals fled their homes and ran out of the forest. As they came to the edge of a stream they stopped to watch the fire, and they were feeling very discouraged and powerless. They were all bemoaning the destruction of their homes. Every one of them thought there was nothing they could do about the fire, except for one little hummingbird.

This particular hummingbird decided it would do something. It swooped into the stream and picked up a few drops of water and went into the forest and put them on fire. Then it went back to stream and did it again, and it kept going back, again and again, and again.

All the other animals watched in disbelief; some tried to discourage the hummingbird with comments like, “Don’t bother, it is too much, you are too little, your wings will burn, your beak is too tiny, it’s only a drop, you can’t put out this fire.”

And as the animals stood around disparaging the little bird’s efforts, the bird noticed how hopeless and forlorn they looked. Then one of the animals shouted out and challenged the hummingbird in a mocking voice, “What do you think you are doing?” And the hummingbird, without wasting time or losing a beat, looked back and said, “I am doing what I can.”

Like the hummingbird, if we do what we can, together we can have a positive impact on the environmental health of our province. Solar Club has created a simple solution and made greening the grid an option for consumers. Just green what you can afford, every little bit helps.