Alberta’s micro-generation regulation lets solar homeowners sell surplus electricity back to their retailer — but the rate you earn on those exports depends entirely on which retailer and plan you choose. The difference between the best and worst option can be thousands of dollars over the life of your system.
This guide compares how solar export credits work across different retailer rate structures in Alberta, and explains why dedicated solar rate plans like Get Energy’s Solar Club exist.
How Solar Export Credits Work in Alberta
Under Alberta’s Micro-Generation Regulation, any home or business with a solar system up to 5 MW can connect to the grid and export surplus electricity. Here’s the key rule: your retailer must credit your exports at the same rate you pay for consumption.
That means your export rate isn’t set by the government or the grid operator — it’s determined by your electricity plan. If you pay 7¢/kWh for the power you consume, you earn 7¢/kWh for every kilowatt-hour you send back to the grid.
Credits accumulate on your account month to month. At the end of each calendar year (or when you close your account), any remaining credit balance is paid out to you. This “net billing” system is what makes your choice of rate plan so important for solar ROI.
Comparing Rate Structures for Solar Homes
Alberta solar homeowners generally have four options for how their exports are valued. Here’s how each one stacks up.
1. Regulated Rate Option (RoLR) / Floating Rate
If you’re on the Regulated Rate Option (now called Rate of Last Resort, or RoLR), your consumption rate — and therefore your export credit rate — changes every month based on the wholesale electricity pool price.
- Pros: No contract, tracks wholesale market
- Cons: Unpredictable export credits; when pool prices drop (as they did in spring 2026), your summer export credits shrink just when your panels are producing the most
- Typical range: Varies month to month — the 30-day average was 6.47¢/kWh as of August 31, 2026
The volatility is the problem. Solar panels produce the most in June and July, but pool prices often dip in summer because of high supply. You end up earning lower credits during your highest-production months.
2. Standard Fixed Rate
A conventional fixed-rate plan locks in one price per kWh for your contract term. Your exports credit at that same fixed rate.
- Pros: Predictable credits, no monthly surprises
- Cons: Most fixed rates are designed for non-solar homes — they balance retailer risk across consumption-heavy customers, not producers
- Example: Get Energy’s 1-Year Advantage rate is 6.57¢/kWh as of August 31, 2026 — your exports would credit at 6.57¢/kWh
Fixed rates provide stability, but they weren’t designed with solar production patterns in mind. A rate of 6–9¢/kWh means a 10 kW system exporting 8,000 kWh per year earns roughly $480–$720 in credits. Decent, but not optimized.
3. Variable Rate With Transaction Fee
Some retailers offer a variable (pool-price pass-through) rate plus a small transaction fee — for example, pool price plus 0.70¢/kWh. Your exports credit at the pool price component only.
- Pros: Low cost when pool prices are low
- Cons: Same volatility problem as RoLR; the transaction fee is a cost on consumption but doesn’t boost your export credit
This structure works well for high-consumption homes without solar, but it’s not ideal for micro-generators who need strong, predictable export value.
4. Dedicated Solar Rate Plans (Solar Club)
Get Energy’s Solar Club is Alberta’s only dedicated rate plan built specifically for micro-generation customers. Instead of a one-size-fits-all rate, Solar Club offers two tiers designed around how solar homes actually use and produce electricity:
- Solar Club LO (your low rate): a fixed 5.90¢/kWh (as of September 7, 2026, held to December 2028) — or our variable rate if it is running lower
- Solar Club HI: 35.00¢/kWh (as of September 7, 2026, expires December 2028)
The HI rate is fixed at 35.00¢/kWh through December 2028. On the low side you choose how it is priced: lock the fixed 5.90¢/kWh for complete certainty, or use our variable rate (wholesale market price plus a 0.70¢/kWh transaction fee) as your low rate when the market is cheaper — the 13-month variable average was 5.78¢/kWh as of August 31, 2026. Either way you are a full Solar Club member.
How Solar Club’s Two-Tier System Works
The two-tier structure is what makes Solar Club unique. Here’s the logic behind each tier:
Solar Club LO (5.90¢/kWh)
The LO rate is designed for solar homeowners whose system is undersized relative to their consumption — meaning they use more electricity than they produce over the year. Because you’re a net consumer, a low per-kWh rate saves you money on the larger volume of electricity you buy from the grid.
Best for:
- Homes with smaller solar systems (3–5 kW) relative to usage
- Households with higher consumption (electric heating, EV charging, home offices)
- Anyone who wants the lowest possible consumption rate and doesn’t export heavily
Fixed or variable — your call. The low rate can be the locked 5.90¢/kWh or the variable rate, whichever you prefer. Locking gives you a number you can budget against for three years; variable can be cheaper while wholesale prices stay soft, and you can move to a fixed rate at any time at no cost. Because consumption is the larger side of the ledger on the LO rate, the lower of the two numbers is the one that moves your bill.
Solar Club HI (35.00¢/kWh)
The HI rate flips the equation. At 35.00¢/kWh, every kilowatt-hour you export earns a substantial credit. During peak summer months when a well-sized system can produce 150–200% of household consumption, those credits accumulate fast and carry forward to offset winter bills when production drops.
Best for:
- Homes with right-sized or oversized systems (8–15 kW)
- Properties with excellent south-facing roof exposure
- Lower-consumption households whose panels regularly over-produce
- Acreage or farm systems with large arrays — see our guide to solar for acreages and farms
The math is straightforward: if your system exports 6,000 kWh per year, the HI rate credits you $2,100 — compared to roughly $390 at a standard 6.5¢/kWh fixed rate. Even after paying 35¢/kWh for the electricity you do consume from the grid, the net result can be dramatically better for heavy producers.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Here’s how the numbers compare for a typical 10 kW residential solar system in Calgary or Edmonton, producing approximately 12,500 kWh per year with household consumption of 7,200 kWh per year (the Alberta average). Net exports: roughly 5,300 kWh.
| Rate Plan | Rate (¢/kWh) | Annual Export Credit | Annual Grid Cost | Net Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar Club HI | 35.00 | $1,855 | $0* | +$1,855 credit |
| Solar Club LO | 5.90 | $313 | $0* | +$313 credit |
| 1-Year Fixed (Advantage) | 6.57 | $348 | $0* | +$348 credit |
| Floating / RoLR | ~6.47† | ~$343 | $0* | ~+$343 credit |
*In this scenario, the system produces more than it consumes annually, so net grid cost is $0 (offset by credits). †Floating rate of 6.47¢/kWh as of August 31, 2026 — actual rate varies monthly. All fixed rates as of September 7, 2026. Admin fees ($9.97/month) and transmission/distribution charges apply to all plans equally and are excluded from this comparison.
The Solar Club HI advantage is striking: over a 25-year panel warranty period, that annual difference compounds into tens of thousands of dollars in additional value.
You Don’t Have to Choose a Tier — RateSwitch™ Does It for You
This is the part most solar homeowners expect to be complicated. It isn’t. Get Energy’s RateSwitch™ reviews your usage and puts you on whichever Solar Club rate works out better for you — LO in the months you import more than you export, HI in the months your panels are carrying the house. You don’t have to forecast your own production or watch the calendar. You sign up once, and the rate follows your actual usage.
For context, here is what RateSwitch™ is responding to:
- LO applies when you are a net importer — smaller system relative to usage, an EV, electric heating, a home-based business, or the winter months when production drops. It is also the right rate while you are in the planning or financing stage, which is exactly what the Pre-Solar rate (5.90¢/kWh) covers before your micro-generation designation comes through.
- HI applies when you are a net exporter — a right-sized or oversized array, strong south-facing exposure, a high-irradiance location like Lethbridge or Red Deer, or simply the long summer days when your system over-produces.
You can also change rates yourself at any time with 10 days’ notice if you want to make the call manually. But you don’t need to run the math before you join — sign up, and RateSwitch™ handles the rest.
What About Other Retailers?
Most Alberta electricity retailers don’t offer a dedicated micro-generation rate. If you install solar with a conventional retailer, your export credits simply match whatever standard residential rate you’re on — typically 6–10¢/kWh for a fixed plan, or a fluctuating pool-based rate.
Some things to watch for when comparing:
- Early termination fees: If your retailer charges penalties for switching, factor that into the cost of moving to a solar-optimized plan
- Contract length vs. panel lifespan: A 1-year contract means re-evaluating every year. Solar Club locks your rate through December 2028, aligning with longer-term system economics
- Admin and transaction fees: These vary by retailer and apply regardless of solar. Get Energy’s admin fee is $9.97/month per metered site (as of September 7, 2026)
- Retailer experience with micro-gen: Not all retailers handle micro-generation billing smoothly. Choose a retailer with dedicated solar plans and experience processing export credits
Maximizing Your Solar Export Value
Regardless of which rate plan you choose, a few strategies help you get the most from your exports:
Right-Size Your System
A system that’s too small won’t generate meaningful export credits. Too large and you’re paying for panels that produce more than you can use or credit. Most Alberta homes see the best ROI with systems sized at 100–130% of annual consumption. At roughly $2.80/W installed, a 10 kW system in Calgary costs approximately $28,000 before incentives.
Shift Consumption Strategically
Run high-draw appliances (dishwasher, laundry, EV charging) at night when your panels aren’t producing. This maximizes daytime exports when your system is generating peak power, building up credits faster — especially on the HI rate.
Keep Panels Clean and Unshaded
Even a 10% production loss from dirty panels or new tree growth reduces your export credits proportionally. Our cleaning and snow removal guide covers seasonal maintenance for Alberta conditions, including hail protection.
Monitor Production Monthly
Most inverters come with monitoring apps. Track your monthly production against your electricity bill to make sure credits are being applied correctly and your system is performing as expected.
The Bottom Line: Export Rates Are the Hidden Variable in Solar ROI
When homeowners calculate solar payback, they usually focus on system cost, available sunlight, and maybe tax implications. But the rate at which your exports are credited is equally important — and it’s the one variable you can control by choosing the right retailer and plan.
For solar homes that export heavily, the difference between a 6.5¢/kWh standard rate and Solar Club’s 35.00¢/kWh HI rate can mean recovering your system cost years faster and adding significantly more value to your home.
Ready to compare rates for your solar home? Check current pricing on our rates page or learn more about Solar Club membership.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch to Solar Club if I’m already with another retailer?
Yes. Alberta’s deregulated energy market lets you switch retailers at any time. If you have an existing contract with an early termination fee, compare the switching cost against the increased export credits you’d earn on Solar Club — for most solar homes, the math favours switching quickly.
Do I need to have solar panels installed to join Solar Club?
Solar Club rates (LO and HI) are for active micro-generation customers with connected systems. If you’re in the process of getting solar installed, Get Energy’s Pre-Solar rate (5.90¢/kWh as of September 7, 2026) gives you the same low consumption rate while you wait for your system to come online.
How are export credits paid out?
Credits accumulate on your Get Energy account and offset future electricity charges automatically. At the end of the calendar year, any remaining positive credit balance is paid out to you. You never lose earned credits.
Does Solar Club work with battery storage?
Yes. Batteries let you store daytime production for evening use and export only true surplus to the grid. Whether batteries make financial sense depends on your consumption pattern — see our battery storage guide for the Alberta-specific math.
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