A carbon credit (aka carbon offset) is a tradable certificate that represents a one-tonne reduction in or removal of carbon dioxide or carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). Carbon credits are generated from projects, such as your solar system, that prevent emissions that would have taken place without the project.

1. 1 credit for every 2,000 kWh (i.e. a system that generates 10,000 kWh annually will earn approximately 5 credits)
2. For every 1 kW in nameplate capacity, your system will generate approximately 0.7 credits (i.e. a 10 kW system will generate approximately 7 credits per year)

For context, in 2022, the sale price of a carbon credit in the Alberta market can reach up to $50 (the current ceiling price set by the Alberta Government).

Our fixed price for carbon credits is $28. As a Producer, you will be paid $28 per credit minus a 40% commission. This price has been deemed fair given the fluctuations in the market risk over the 8-year period.

Commission Level	System Size	Commission Cost	You Keep
Solar Spark	5 – 7.99 kW	50%	50%
Solar Ray	8 – 14.99 kW	45%	55%
Solar Flare	15 – 29.99 kW	40%	60%
Solar Wind	30 – 99.99 kW	35%	65%
Solar Storm	100 – 999.99 kW	30%	70%

Our Carbon Offset Credit Platform is partnered with two aggregators: Solar Offset and Radicle Balance. Through Solar Offset, you can choose variable pricing for your carbon credits. Through Radicle Balance, you can choose fixed pricing for your carbon credits.

Just like with your electricity and natural gas, this will depend on your risk tolerance. If you would prefer a guaranteed price for your carbon credits, then our fixed price is the way to go. If you would prefer the going market rate for your carbon credits, and are comfortable with fluctuations in the market, then our variable pricing is the option you should select.

No, it is important for all system owners to recognize that if you sign up to more than one project, you will get paid only from the one you sign up to first. During the verification process, your system ID will be cross-referenced with other projects, and you will be eliminated from one of the projects and receive only a return from the one to which you signed up initially.

You sure can! For those customers already signed up under a fixed price model, they will have until October 1, 2022 to decide whether to switch to Radicle's variable price model. Please note that you can only switch with the same aggregator (for instance, you cannot switch from Radicle's fixed rate model to Solar Offset's variable price model).

The Alberta registry requires the entity that registers the project (the Aggregators) to report on that project for the full crediting period.

The provincial government allows Aggregators two options: Either register for 8 years, with a potential 5-year extension that may or may not be approved or register for a 10-year option. Each Aggregator has chosen the option that they believe will maximize value for you.

You will be paid within 60 days of the sale of the offsets to third parties, and UTILITYnet shall pay you (the Producer) within 10 days of receipt of funds from the Aggregator. The dates of payment are determined by the date on which the project is registered, which varies between Aggregators.

No, carbon credits are different from RECs. A Renewable Energy Certificate represents 1 megawatt-hour (MWh) of green energy being injected into the grid. You cannot generate both carbon credits and RECs, as the protocol does not allow it – this would be double-dipping, getting paid twice for renewable energy generation.

Carbon credits are traded on the open market in Alberta and elsewhere, and thus the price changes just like stocks. They're typically bought by large businesses in a private transaction.

Verification is an independent, third-party audit process completed to international standard ISO 14064-3, during which the generation data and other information collected by the Aggregators is checked for compliance with government rules. Without passing the verification, no credits can be created.

Once a credit is generated, it is given a unique serial number (serialization). Credits are then traded on the market, purchased, and then "retired" to ensure there is no double counting and that a credit can only be used once.

Carbon credits represent a one-tonne reduction in carbon dioxide or carbon dioxide equivalent, whereas the carbon tax represents a pollution price per tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent emitted. The carbon tax rates are based on global warming potential factors and emissions factors used by Environment and Climate Change Canada.

After you select and register for a program online, the Aggregators will assess your project and determine if you qualify. You will not need to wait until the verification process to know if you're eligible to participate in our Carbon Offset Credit Platform.

Simply indicate that this is the case on the registration form, and the program Aggregators will assess the details and let you know if that part of your system qualifies.

Credits cannot be serialized retroactively on solar projects in Alberta, so the years that the panels have been generating in the past won't qualify. However, systems already installed can generate credits from future production.

Grid intensity (also known as Grid Displacement Factor, GDF) refers to the greenhouse gas emissions associated with electricity from the Alberta grid. It is measured in units of tonnes of carbon dioxide per megawatt-hour (tCO2/MWh). It is the rate at which your solar PV system can generate offset credits. The GDF is set by the Alberta Government, who review it every two years. As Alberta's electricity grid transitions from emissions-heavy sources (coal) to lower emission generation sources (natural gas and renewables), the GDF will decrease. In 2022, the GDF is 0.57, and in 2023/24, the GDF is set to be reduced to 0.52.

The GDF for your system is fixed according to the year in which the project is registered. In other words, once you start generating offset credits, your GDF doesn't change for the duration of the term. Since the GDF is projected to decrease, it is to your advantage to secure your place in our aggregate pool early.

The administrative burden to register a project is quite heavy, so only very large projects can be cost-effectively registered with the Alberta Emissions Offset Registry (AEOR). A single home does not represent enough generation to make registration worthwhile or cost effective without aggregation.

The Aggregators are required to report on the project for the full duration of the term, therefore you have the right to cancel early but the termination will not take effect until the end of the term.

In the case of variable pricing, the agreement terminates, and you are entitled to receive your offset credits up to the point of the sale of your property. There is no requirement for you to get the new homeowner to sign up, Solar Offset takes care of that independently with the new homeowner and only once your property sale is complete. You simply notify Solar Offset that you have sold your property, provide your new address, and you’ll receive the payment you are due at the end of the year.

Signing an agreement with one of the Aggregators has no impact on your choice of utility provider. You can change electricity providers at any time during the term and your business relationship with the Aggregator, as well as your participation in our Carbon Offset Credit Platform, remains unchanged.