Maximize Your Solar Investment
Learn how to get the most value from your solar panels and reduce your household energy costs
About energon
Helping solar microgenerators get the most out of their energy investment
At Energon, we understand that investing in solar panels for your home is a significant financial decision. While the environmental benefits are clear, many homeowners with solar panel installations aren't getting the maximum financial return on their investment due to being on standard fixed electricity rates and being unaware of the benefits of Solar Rate switching programs offered by electricity retailers in Alberta.
- We partner with trusted Solar Club™ retailers like Shared Value Energy to provide the best return for your exported solar energy.
- We provide transparent comparisons between standard single rate plans and solar rate switching programs to help you make informed decisions.
- Our energy comparison calculator helps you understand exactly how much you could save with a solar rate switching program.
Standard electricity providers often offer minimal compensation for solar energy fed back into the grid. Being part of a solar rate switching program (such as the Solar Club) changes this by offering premium rates and benefits for your exported energy during times of peak production. This ensures that during periods of 'Net Export' when you are generating more than you consume, you are getting maximum value for your excess power and are optimizing the return on your solar investment.
Use our energy comparison calculator to find out how much $ you could be saving by joining the Solar Club. Simply enter your current electricity rates and your energy usage history, and we'll show you the potential savings you could achieve. If it looks like you have additional savings potential, we will help guide you through the process of signing up and help with any questions along the way!
Calculate Your SavingsLearn
Everything you need to know about maximizing your solar investment in Alberta
What is Solar Microgeneration?
Learn about Alberta's unique energy market, how solar power integrates with the grid, and the regulations governing residential solar energy production and export.
How Do Solar Rates Help Me?
Discover how specialized solar pricing plans can increase your energy export credits, reduce your electricity costs, and maximize your solar investment.
Your Savings Potential
Use our calculator to see how much you could save with a solar rate program. We'll help you understand your potential savings based on your actual energy usage.
Understanding your Invoice
Learn how to read your electricity bill, understand your consumption patterns, and identify opportunities to optimize your solar energy usage and export.
Signing Up for Solar Rates
Get step-by-step guidance on how to enroll in the Solar Club program, including eligibility requirements and specifics about the sign-up process.
Switching your Solar Rates
Learn about how to submit rate change requests through a Solar Club retailer and what to expect during the switch to ensure a smooth experience.
What Do You Need to Get Started?
Most homes with solar panels are not maximizing the value of their exported energy during the summer months. Many homeowners are missing out on getting the full value of their solar investment due to standard export rates.
Locate Your Import / Export History
Download your December statement to view summary graphs for the previous year's worth of Electricity Imports and Exports by Month >>>
Enter Your Import / Export History
Enter these import and export values for each month into the Solar Benefit Comparison calculator, along with your current electricity rates and admin fee.
Learn Your Savings Potenial
In the Solar Rate Cost Comparison chart, view your Current Annual Power Costs vs your estimated costs using solar rates and seasonal rate switching
Ready to Sign Up
Realize your savings potential and start saving with solar rates by Signing Up with our partner solar utility provider.
Solar Benefit Comparison
Calculate your potential annual savings with solar rates by modifying the numbers below.
- Update the 'Current Electricity Costs' with your current electricity rates and admin fee.
- Update the 'Monthly Electricity Imports/Exports' with your actual kWh meter read value for each month of the previous year.
* The example electricity import/export values are based on actual meter reads from an average 1800 sqft detached home in south Calgary with a 7.7 kW, 26 panel system.
Current Electricity Costs
Solar Rate Electricity Costs
Monthly Electricity Imports/Exports (kWh)
Import / Export Comparison
Total Import
5,320 kWh
Total Export
4,930 kWh
Net Export
-390 kWh
Solar Rate Cost Comparison
Current Annual Costs*
$190.80
Solar Rate Annual Costs*
$-216.35
Savings Potential
$407.15
* Annual cost estimates do not include transmission, distribution and local access fees, which are the same regardless of your electricity provider.
Sign Up for the Solar Club™ through SHARED VALUE ENERGY
Get the best solar rates and lowest monthly admin fee and bring down the cost of your utility bill with solar.
Save $50 on your first bill using Promo Code SOLAR50 on sign up
Frequently Asked Questions
Get quick answers to common questions about how solar rates work, including sign-up, rate switching, billing, and how to maximize your solar investment returns.
What Happens after I sign up?
Once you submit an application for Solar Club rates through Shared Value Energy, you will receive a confirmation email right away from their Customer Care team. They will then guide you through the remaining steps to complete your enrolement. Once your selected enrolement date arrives, your electricty service (and natural gas if you are bundling) will be transferred from your current retailer over to Shared Value Energy automatically. There is no need to contact your current retailer to close your account. Going forward, you will receive invoices from Shared Value Energy and will have access to both the Solar Club HI and LO rates that you can switch between online through their 'My Account' dashboard.
How Do I know WHEN to Switch Rates?
Whenever your solar system in generating more power than you use, you are a 'Net Exporter' of electricity and would benefit the most by being on the HI rate. Whenever your solar system in generating less power than you use, you are a 'Net Importer' of electricity and would limit your electricity costs the most by being on the LO rate. For residential microgenerators in Alberta, the transition to being a Net Exporter typically occurs around April, and the transition back to being a Net Importer typically occurs around September.
HOW Do I Actually Switch Rates?
Shared Value Energy provides a video tutorial that describes how to submit a rate change request online through your 'My Account'. You can also refer to the PDF instructional document.
Why aren't distribution, transmission and other fees from my bill included in the comparison?
These fees are passed through to your retailer from the Wire Service Provider and are exactly the same regardless who you choose as your electricity provider. Therefore, it is simpler to leave these fees out of the comparison calculation and instead focus on the savings potential that is acheivable through the differences in electricity rate and administration fees.
Contact
Need help decoding your electricity bills? Get in touch with us to learn about how to make the most from your solar investment