The Solar Club™
- Special Electricity Rate Plan for Solar Homeowners
- Allows homes to switch rate plans to accelerate ROI
The Solar Club™ gives Alberta solar producers the power to switch between two electricity rates based on the season:
High Rate: $0.30/kWh – Ideal for sunny months when you’re exporting more than you use
Low Rate: $0.0877/kWh – Best for winter when you’re importing from the grid
Both the import and export sides of your bill use the same selected rate during a billing cycle.
You can toggle between rates by submitting a quick request through your Solar Club™ retailer’s website. Most homeowners switch to the high rate around March or April and drop back to the low rate in October or November, aligning with solar production cycles.
About the Alberta Solar Rate Program
✅ Who should join the Solar Club™?
The Solar Club™ works best for homes that generate 70% or more of their annual electricity needs from solar. Why? Because these homes typically export surplus electricity in the summer, which allows them to build valuable credit at the high $0.30/kWh rate.
If your system offsets less than 70% of your usage, you may not export enough to benefit from the high rate—so staying on a standard fixed rate might make more sense.
Not sure what your offset percentage is? Check your installer’s quote or reach out—we can help you review it.
🏡 Am I eligible to join?
Most solar-equipped homes and small businesses in Alberta can enroll, except for customers in:
Medicine Hat
Peigan REA
Ermineskin REA
Wild Rose REA
Lakeland REA
North Parkland Power REA
Blue Mountain Power Co-op (formerly Rocky REA)
Technical requirements:
Be a micro-generator under 150 kW
Use a bi-directional cumulative meter (not an interval meter)
A charitable donation to your local food bank is encouraged as part of joining the club
📅 When should I switch rates?
Here’s the general rule:
If your home is exporting more electricity than it’s using in a month → use the high rate
If you’re consuming more than you’re producing → switch to the low rate
Most Alberta homes with well-sized solar setups hit net-export status by spring, and revert by fall. The program allows you to switch rates with just 10 days’ notice, no penalties. Your retailer may even send email reminders in spring and fall to help you time it right.
Need help timing your rate switch? We offer a free seasonal rate switch consultation for Alberta Solar Homeowners.
📝 When can I sign up?
You can pre-enroll in the Solar Club™ as soon as you’ve signed a solar installation contract—even before your panels are turned on.
During the waiting period, you’ll be placed on a Pre-Solar Rate of $0.065/kWh for up to 180 days. Once your system is activated, you’ll automatically be transitioned into the Solar Club™ low rate unless you specify otherwise.
📊 Are the Solar Club™ rates the same across retailers?
Yes, all participating Solar Club™ retailers offer the same high and low energy rates. However, monthly admin fees vary, so it’s worth comparing. Some even offer signup incentives—contact us for the latest referral codes and retailer comparisons.
💸 Can I really get $0 power bills?
You absolutely can—if your solar system covers 100% or more of your annual energy needs. Here’s how:
In summer, you export excess energy at the high rate and build up a credit
That credit can be applied toward everything on your electricity bill, including fixed fees like distribution and transmission
Extra credits roll over month-to-month
Many Alberta homes report $0 bills from May through September—and some see it stretch into the fall.
💡 What about all those “other fees” on my bill?
In Alberta, fees like transmission, distribution, and local access charges are mostly variable—they’re tied to how much electricity you use.
When your solar production offsets your usage, you reduce these fees too. And when you export electricity at the Solar Club™ high rate, you build credits that can be applied to cover these charges.
So yes—solar helps reduce “other fees” too.
🌞 Why choose the Solar Club™?
Here’s a simple example:
Your home uses 8,000 kWh per year
Your solar system produces 8,000 kWh per year
In summer, you export 2,000 kWh and build up credit at $0.30/kWh
In winter, you import 2,000 kWh at the low rate and use your summer credit to cover the bill
The difference in rates, combined with rollover credit, boosts your solar ROI and flattens seasonal billing swings.
🏛️ Who funds the high rate?
The Solar Club™ high rate is made possible through the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO), which helps balance grid supply. The rate isn’t government-regulated—it’s determined by each Solar Club™ retailer under Alberta’s Microgeneration Regulation.
One key rule: The buy and sell rate must match during a billing cycle, but the retailer can adjust those rates based on market conditions.
⏳ Will the Solar Club™ always be available?
The Microgeneration Regulation could change in the future, and there’s no guarantee the Solar Club™ will remain unchanged. That said, there are no known plans to alter or phase out the program.
Ready to Apply?
Whether you’re already generating solar or just considering your options, we’re here to guide Alberta homeowners through every step. From eligibility checks to rate-switch timing—we’ve got your back. Fill out our form below and get connected with a retailer to get access to The Solar Club.
Offset Your Energy Costs the Solar Club™
No matter what, you’re likely to spend around $30,000 on electricity over the next 10 years. The difference? With the Solar Club™, that money goes toward owning your own energy system, and can accelerate ROI up to 3-4 years.—rather than paying your utility month after month. Once your system is paid off, you’re set with low cost electricity for the remaining 25-30 years of the solar panels lifetime.
Your home without solar energy
- $250 average monthly electricity bill
- 10-Year Cost: $30,000 (assuming no rate increases)
- Continued dependence on utility companies
- No long-term savings or added home value
Your home with solar net billing
- No Upfront Cost 4.5% solar loan
- Ownership of your power generation system
- 20+ years of low cost electricity after loan payoff
- Protection against future rate hikes
- Energy independence and savings
Maximize your energy savings in three simple steps
Request your free solar savings estimate
Create your personalized solar investment plan
Let our expert solar team handle the rest
From incentives applications, installation to activation, our experts are with you every step of the way.
See what incentives your home qualifies for
- Build an Energy Asset, Not a Lifelong Expense
- Protect your monthly finances from energy price increases
- Cut Up to $45K Off Your Lifetime Power Costs
Apply for
Remaining Incentives
Professional Installation from Licensed Installers
Competitive Financing Options
Own your Home
Energy Source
Claim your solar savings before it’s too late
Our local installers have helped thousands of homes and businesses across Alberta make the switch to solar. Our installer network proudly serves communities near Grande Prairie, Fort McMurray, Edmonton, Red Deer, Lethbridge, Calgary, and beyond.
The future of the CEIP Loan and net billing is uncertain. Funding for these programs aren’t infinite. Fill out our form today to receive a transparent solar quote that’s personalized to your home and energy costs.
© 2025 Alberta-Solar.org, All Rights Reserved, Serving Greater Edmonton, Calgary, and Fort McMurray