Making a commitment to Solar PV Micro-Generators in Alberta
By Deanna McArthur
Even though the mounds of snow falling from the sky make it feel like winter will last forever, we are approaching the season of sunshine and warmth. Spring is on its way and I know many in the province will join me in saying “thank goodness”.
Especially eager I am sure, are Albertans who are generating electricity via solar panels. Although solar panels still generate electricity throughout the winter months, an early setting sun and some snow cover can mean less generation for most.
Especially eager I am sure, are Albertans who are generating electricity via solar panels. Although solar panels still generate electricity throughout the winter months, an early setting sun and some snow cover can mean less generation for most.
There is no doubt that solar power will remain in the spotlight in Alberta for years to come as installation costs continue to decrease, incentive programs are introduced, and Albertans continue to make commitments to reducing emissions, increasing energy efficiency, and reducing the amount they pay for energy.
It is not only Albertans who have made commitments to the growth of the renewable energy industry, retailers like Utility Network and Partners Inc. (UTILITYnet) and the Energy Marketers within its network have introduced special programs to help green Alberta’s grid.
In 2015, UTILITYnet launched Green Alberta Energy as a way for Energy Marketers to offer customers the ability to green a percentage of their electricity consumption through the sale of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). At the same time, the Light Up Alberta program was relaunched by Green Alberta Energy.
Light Up Alberta is a non-government program created to help increase the earning potential of PV solar micro-generators in Alberta. It was designed for residential, farm, and small commercial customers who are both importing and exporting electricity to the grid.
For those who, like myself, are pretty new to the electricity industry, micro-generation is the production of electricity on a small scale, using renewable and alternative energy sources. These energy sources are typically solar and wind that are generated by individual home owners and small businesses, as well as municipal and community buildings to meet their electricity needs.
Effectively, micro-generators are paid for surplus electricity they produce and export back to the grid at the same retail price they are importing electricity. For example, if a micro-generation customer is paying 12.5 cents/kWh to import electricity, he will also receive 12.5 cents/kWh for electricity exported to the grid. Through the Light Up Alberta Program, UTILITYnet purchases the green attribute of the solar energy produced and pays 1 cent per kWh on surplus electricity exported to the grid. The aggregation of purchases is then added to our inventory of green credits from various sources, which are sold in smaller bundles to consumers who do not want to invest in adding solar to their homes, but still want to participate in supporting and promoting the decarbonization of Alberta’s energy production.
I know the question everyone is going to ask me. “Where does that money come from that you pay micro-generators with? Is it tax payer money?” Nothing that we do at UTILITYnet is subsidized by the government. Light Up Alberta is funded through the sale of RECs. It is a private initiative that has seen over 2 million kWh of solar energy exported to Alberta’s grid through all of the Energy Marketers in our network. That is something to celebrate!
Energy Marketers offering PV solar micro-generators the additional 1 cent/kWh on electricity exported to the grid include:
Adagio Energy
Bow Valley Power
Brighter Futures Energy
Camrose Energy
DGN Power
Echo Energy
ENRG Power
EMCO Energy
Fluent Utilities
Foothills Energy Co-op
Get Energy
Mountain View Power
NewGen Energy
Oasis Power
Park Power
Reset Energy
Sandstone Energy
Solarmax Power Inc.
Spot Power
UTILITYnet.ca
Vector Energy
If you are a residential, farm or small commercial PV Solar micro-generator and you would like to take advantage of the Light Up Alberta Program, you must be enrolled with one of UTILITYnet’s Energy Marketers. Contact the Customer Care Team once you are enrolled and ask to be included in the program. Not sure if you qualify? Give us a call.
If you are a PV Solar installer, the programs listed above will help you promote your business. Participating with one of the Energy Marketers under the UTILITYnet umbrella and applying for the Light Up Alberta program will help improve the economics of making an investment in solar. Give us a call to discuss our 12.5 cent per kWh export rates plus the 1 cent privately funded premium.
At UTILITYnet we are always striving to effectively communicate great offerings such as the Light Up Alberta program as well as stay up-to-date on all that is happening in the market so that we can ensure we are meeting the needs of Albertans. That includes understanding the topic of Climate Change, which has often been a hot button issue on our social media channels. A great way to do this is to attend the inaugural Cities and Climate Change Science Conference March 5-7, being hosted by the city of Edmonton.
With over 800 municipal representatives, scientists and academics from around the world attending the conference to share the latest scientific research on climate change and inspire global and regional action, it is sure to be an eye-opening experience.
Stay tuned to our blog as we summarize some of the topics covered at the conference.
I would encourage others who are interested in energy efficiency, emissions reductions, greening Alberta’s grid, and climate change to join me at this free event. I would be happy to sit down and chat with you about how UTILITYnet is striving to support, not only PV solar micro-generators, but all Albertans as the province continues to transition to a more renewable future. If you can’t find me, shoot me an email and I would be happy to set up a time to discuss (Deanna.mcarthur@utilitynet.net).
If you are a PV Solar installer, the programs listed above will help you promote your business. Participating with one of the Energy Marketers under the UTILITYnet umbrella and applying for the Light Up Alberta program will help improve the economics of making an investment in solar. Give us a call to discuss our 12.5 cent per kWh export rates plus the 1 cent privately funded premium.
At UTILITYnet we are always striving to effectively communicate great offerings such as the Light Up Alberta program as well as stay up-to-date on all that is happening in the market so that we can ensure we are meeting the needs of Albertans. That includes understanding the topic of Climate Change, which has often been a hot button issue on our social media channels. A great way to do this is to attend the inaugural Cities and Climate Change Science Conference March 5-7, being hosted by the city of Edmonton.
With over 800 municipal representatives, scientists and academics from around the world attending the conference to share the latest scientific research on climate change and inspire global and regional action, it is sure to be an eye-opening experience.
Stay tuned to our blog as we summarize some of the topics covered at the conference.
I would encourage others who are interested in energy efficiency, emissions reductions, greening Alberta’s grid, and climate change to join me at this free event. I would be happy to sit down and chat with you about how UTILITYnet is striving to support, not only PV solar micro-generators, but all Albertans as the province continues to transition to a more renewable future. If you can’t find me, shoot me an email and I would be happy to set up a time to discuss (Deanna.mcarthur@utilitynet.net).