By: Nick Clark
“I’d put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power.” - Thomas Edison
Energy is miraculous. It can’t be created or destroyed. Yet, it can be transformed into such forms as heat for your stove or mechanical electricity that powers entire cities.
At UtilityNet, we’ve spent nearly 40 years finding ways to help our clients to efficiently manage their electricity and natural gas business. On the eve of the Climate Change Summit in Paris, Green Alberta Energy was launched as a private sector initiative, part of the UtilityNet group of companies. This venture is singularly focused on making renewable energy affordable and solar is an important component of the mix.
We’re doing something about it.
A private Solar Investment Fund has been created that will grow over time. The Fund financially supports small-scale residential micro-generation solar operators because we believe in the importance of harnessing energy from the sun and using it to help offset our dependency on fossil fuels.
I’ll get back to the Fund in a moment but let me first explain about solar. The method of grid interconnection for small-scale, offset consumption is the micro-generator. This technology allows you to generate your own environmentally friendly electricity and receive credit from any excess electricity that you send into the electricity grid.
What is a micro generator?
Here’s how the Alberta Utilities Commission defines a micro generator:- Generates a total capacity of one megawatt (MW) or less;
- Connects to the energy distribution system;
- Exclusively uses sources of renewable energy;
- Meets all or a portion of the customer’s electricity needs;
- Provides connection service.
“PV generators are climbing at 30% per year,” adds Gordon. “And capacity reached 87% over the last year.” Gordon, a man passionate about grid-connected solar systems for 27 years, says lots is happening in solar: “Our cumulative growth since 2008 is 86% per year in sites and 101% per year in generating capacity.
Here’s how you can calculate usage for a solar-powered home like the one pictured above. Take 2 or 3 months of usage and divide your kWh/year by the number of hours in a year (about 8760).This gives you the size of a generator if it were operating 100% of the time, 24/7 for a year.
Back to the Solar Investment Fund. As time passes, the Fund will grow and our vision and commitment will become the legacy of Green Alberta Energy. Residential micro-generators that are registered as customers of any of the 20 different retailers listed on the Green Alberta Energy web site will receive a supplementary Feed-in-Tariff monthly payment based on the surplus solar produced electricity that is exported back onto the grid.
An idea to support Climate Change in Alberta
Additionally, we will approach our provincial and municipal governments to help seed the Solar Fund. It is hoped the Climate Change and Emissions Management Corporation (CCEMC) will use some of the hundreds of millions of dollars it collects to support small micro generators in Alberta.The Climate Change and Emissions Management Corporation (CCEMC) is a not- for-profit organization supporting transition to a lower carbon economy. Their mission is to accelerate the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and support climate change projects through collaboration, development and deployment of technology applications in Alberta.
Alberta has the people, the talent and the resources to make this change happen. We hope that CCEMC will see the value in supporting Alberta Micro Generation Solar operators by helping to fund a tariff rebate program. Run by Alberta's independent retailers, who are focused on helping to incentivise more people in Alberta to invest in Solar Energy.
Gordon Howell’s message is integral for our shift to renewable resources.
He explains that Alberta is following the 2 GW track very nicely at this time. “If we continue with present annual growth rates, we will achieve the goal in 2024 August.”
I share in Gordon’s passion and also believe that, as we all grow, Alberta will welcome new companies and staff into the industry.