Published On: October 1, 2024

Solar Ready™ Pre-Solar Rate

There are 27,160 micro-generation sites across Alberta, 7,405 of which are Solar Club Members. Our network of 38 Community Energy Marketers and 54 local solar installers continues to grow, with 100 new Members added each week.

All Solar Club and micro-generation customers are networked under our Hummingbird Virtual Solar Community (VSC). Collectively, members of the Hummingbird VSC have installed over 185,000 rooftop solar panels, representing an investment of $150 million in our province by homeowners, small businesses, and the farming community. The Hummingbird VSC is now one of Alberta’s largest virtual distributed solar generation units.

In 2028, UTILITYnet, the company behind the revolutionary Solar Club, will celebrate its 50th anniversary. As a private company, we have ambitious goals over the next few years. One is our continued interest in the solar industry and our commitment to building a robust solar market. By 2028, we believe the market has the potential to grow to over 50,000 installed solar PV systems.

The government has a fundamental role to ensure the Alberta Micro-Generation Regulation remains supportive of homeowners’ massive investment in the renewables market. During the summer of 2024, a million dollars per day was invested in adding solar generation to rooftops around the province. As a province, achieving an installed threshold of 50,000 solar systems will represent a private infrastructure investment by homeowners of $1 billion.

The private sector also has a responsibility to help stimulate market growth. As in every business, momentum is one of the keys to success. To promote the benefits of a carbon-free lifestyle, improve affordability, and fight inflation, the Solar Club is investing in homeowners to consider micro-generation. Our Solar Ready™ program is now retailing electricity below cost through our brand new Pre-Solar Rate™ at 6.69 cents/kWh. For comparison, the Regulated Rate Option (RRO) prices are averaging 11 cents/kWh. The Pre-Solar Rate at 6.69 cents/kWh rate is the lowest electricity retail price in Alberta.

thinking about solar?

Once you have solar installed on your home, you are considered a micro-generator and are automatically eligible to be part of Alberta’s best solar loyalty program.