Solar Club Newsletter – July 2025
Introducing: Pre-Bill Data!
See the future, change the past, alter the present.
In an effort to provide micro-generators with the best analytics in Alberta, the Solar Club is leading the way and is proud to introduce the Preliminary Billing ("Pre-Bill" for short) Data feature! Pre-Bill allows you to see the data for your next invoice BEFORE it gets finalized. By submitting a rate change request using Pre-Bill, you can set your import and export rates with advanced knowledge of whether you're a net importer or a net exporter.
The Pre-Bill feature will be rolled out on August 1st, 2025. If your site has data available, you will receive your first Pre-Bill Notification email to remind you to log in to your My Account portal. You can find your Pre-Bill Data in the Account Information section (click on your micro-generation account tab at the top of the screen). Pre-Bill Notification emails will go out every month once your data is available to view.
This feature is a first-of-its-kind in Alberta and isn't offered anywhere else. When combined with our Solar Stats, our micro-generators are the most equipped and informed customers in the province.
Got an EV? Get 5% Cash Back!
The Solar Club cash back program for Members is about to get a little richer.
If you own an EV (a full-battery EV, not a hybrid), you know that your vehicle registration now includes an annual $200 EV tax. The Solar Club has and will continue to advocate for a transition to a cleaner grid, and that includes supporting EV owners.
Starting September 1st, all Solar Club Members who are enrolled on either a HI Rate or a LO Rate can earn an additional 2% cash back on their energy imports, bringing the total up to 5%! Just send us a copy of your vehicle registration showing the make, model, and expiration date, and you can start earning 5% cash back on all electricity imported from the grid*. You can sweeten the pot by bundling natural gas with your Solar Club Rate to get 5% on your natural gas consumption as well.
Register today! Send an email to Sunshine@SolarClub.ca with your account number and a copy of your vehicle registration slip. The cash back program will help offset the new licensing fees being assessed on EV owners in Alberta.
*2% bonus cash back only applicable when enrolled on a Solar Club rate.
Micro-Generation Under Review
We previously informed all Solar Club Members that on May 29th, 2025, the AUC began a consultation engagement on Rule 024: Rules Respecting Micro- Generation.
A copy of the submission sent by Utility Network & Partners Inc. ("UTILITYnet"), the parent company of the Solar Club, can be found here:
The Alberta Micro-Generator Regulation is the most progressive in the country. Yet, as with all regulations, it could use a few tweaks. We hope that a balanced set of enhancements to Rule 024 and the associated Regulation will encourage more people to invest in solar energy. We'd like to see continued support in addition to those who have already invested about $1 billion of private sector money into Alberta's solar PV industry.
We thank you for your support. You are part of Alberta's success story. We only ask that you recommend the Solar Club to your friends.
New LO Rate
The Solar Club LO Rate has been reduced to 8.49 ¢/kWh, down from 9.45 ¢/kWh. Our HI Rate remains untouched at 30.0 ¢/kWh to provide our Members with maximized value for their grid exports during the summer months! This new LO Rate will result in even more savings and rate security for the average microgenerator, enabling them to bank significant credit for use during the winter months!
The safest bet is to stay on the Solar Club 3-year fixed guaranteed rate of 8.49 ¢/kWh during winter. However, you can move to the variable rate if you are a gambler. Current variable prices are in the 6 ¢/kWh range. Please note: The 3% and 5% cash back bonus payment is unavailable for members on the variable rate.
Help Us Green The Grid
Decarbonizing our energy system is essential to combating climate change. You can make a meaningful difference by making a personal choice. Installing a solar PV system is a step in the right direction, but you are still importing some of your energy from the grid. Consider shrinking your carbon footprint a little bit more by purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).
Your purchase guarantees that clean, renewable energy is being placed onto the electric grid, raising the percentage of renewable energy used overall. Greening just 25% of your energy will cost the average homeowner just 8.2 cents/day. Greening 100% costs just 33.2 cents/day — less than a cup of coffee.
Simply log in to your My Account portal and apply for RECs online. You can green anywhere from 5% to 100% of the electricity you import from the grid.
Community Commitment
At Solar Club, energy should do more than keep the lights on. It should help light the way forward for our communities. Last month, we featured the 50/50 draw by the Calgary Public Library Foundation and helped contribute to the $17,000 pot. This month, we are proud to spotlight Brighter Futures Energy (BFE) and its ongoing partnership with Kids Cancer Care.
Since 2021, Brighter Futures Energy has been working alongside Kids Cancer Care to bring hope and healing to children and families affected by childhood cancer. This cause is close to the hearts of their team and reflects their deep commitment to building brighter futures through reliable energy and meaningful community support.
Brighter Futures Energy is taking its impact to the next level this summer. They have permanently increased their charitable contributions from 10% to 20% of their profits. In addition, for July and August, they will match all donations (up to $2,500) made to Kids Cancer Care through their fundraising campaign, "Brighter Futures Begin with You." Every dollar donated will go twice as far in supporting children and families facing the unimaginable.
Your donation will help fund: Summer camps that give
- Give kids a chance to be kids.
- Outreach and education programs for families navigating treatment.
- Therapeutic wellness services to support recovery.
- Essential hospital programs and innovative research.
These programs are more than just services. They are real examples of hope in action. When you choose Brighter Futures Energy for your electricity, natural gas, or Internet services, you are helping support these vital programs all year. By simply paying your utility bill, you are making a difference.
Want to get involved?
Donate today and help Brighter Futures Energy reach its $5,000 fundraising goal. Your contribution will be matched, and your impact will be doubled.
Click here to learn more about the Community Partners and the charities that all the Energy Marketers in our network support.
At Solar Club, we are proud to stand with Brighter Futures Energy and Kids Cancer Care in building stronger communities filled with compassion, connection, and hope.
