FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
JOIN US AT OUR WEBINAR
To best understand the process and benefits of joining Solar Offset, we recommend attending one of our monthly webinars. These 45-minute webinars offer a comprehensive explanation of Solar Offset's service offering and ample time to discuss any questions you may have. To register for a free webinar, click below:
What will I need to do each year?
Every January we will ask for copies of production data from your monitoring platform, plus an electricity bill, to prove how much your system has produced. We then take care of quantifying and documenting the project to government rules, and ensuring it passes third-party verification, turning your clean energy generation into carbon offset credits.
How often and when will I get paid?
Payment to our customers is made by interac e-transfer, within 60 days of the sale of the credits. Typically credits are sold, and payments are made to the system owners each April.
Can I sign up to Solar Offset and still take part in Solar Club?
Yes, you can. Solar Club makes no claim on the emission reductions from your clean energy system – it’s only a tariff – so you can benefit both from Solar Club’s high rates and from Solar Offset. Many of our utility partners offer Solar Club. Read more on this at our blog here.
I already get paid for my excess electricity by my retailer.
Can I still join Solar Offset?
Yes, you can. Solar Offset allows you to turn your clean energy generation into carbon offsets, which are then sold onto Alberta's carbon market. It has no impact on your ability to sell your excess electricity to the grid.
Does joining Solar Offset restrict or change my choice of electricity provider?
No. Solar Offset doesn't impact your choice of electricity provider at all. You can be a customer of any utility provider you choose and can continue to change that whenever you like.
What happens if I change utility provider?
Joining Solar Offset has no impact on your ability to choose a utility provider. If you choose to change your utility provider there is no impact on your participation in Solar Offset’s program.
What happens if I sell my house/farm/business property?
If you sell your property, our contract with you can be terminated, or you can assign it to the new owner. You are entitled to receive your offset credits up to the date of your property sale. The new owner is then welcome to join Solar Offset for the remainder of the project term.
My system was part-funded via the Canada Greener Homes Grant/Loan.
Can I still join Solar Offset?
Yes, you can. Canada Greener Homes Grant/Loan makes no claim
on the emission reductions from your clean energy system so you can benefit both from this rebate and from Solar Offset.
Read more on this at our blog here.
I accessed a municipal Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP)
loan to pay for my system. Can I still join Solar Offset?
Yes, you can. As the CEIP is a loan, it makes no claim on the emission reductions from your clean energy system so you can benefit both from this loan and from Solar Offset. Read more on this at our blog here.
What happens if the price of carbon falls?
As with any other commodity it is difficult to predict future pricing, which is a function of supply and demand in the market. However, with an increasingly strict compliance regime for carbon in Alberta, and a rising carbon price, we firmly believe that the value of offset credits is going to go up over time.
What happens if the carbon price goes up?
The price for carbon in Alberta will rise from its current $65/tonne in 2023 to $170/tonne by 2030. We expect that the value of offsets will also rise. As we pay you a % of the sales price, if the offset credit price goes up, you make more!