Credits at full retail rate , not wholesale

12-month rolling credit , summer surplus offsets winter bills

Alberta Net Billing:
The #1 Solar ROI Accelerator

Alberta's Micro-Generation Regulation lets you earn the full retail rate for every kilowatt-hour you export. This is the single most important financial factor that makes solar so compelling in Alberta.

Alberta net billing solar microgen credit electricity bill homeowner

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What is Net Billing in Alberta?

Net billing is Alberta's billing arrangement under the provincial Micro-Generation Regulation that allows homeowners and businesses with solar energy systems to earn credits for the excess electricity they generate and send back to the grid.

Unlike traditional net metering used in other provinces that only pays wholesale prices (around 6¢/kWh), Alberta's net billing system compensates small-scale micro-generators (systems under 150 kW) at the full retail rate , currently around 12–18¢/kWh depending on your plan. That's the same rate you pay when you buy electricity from the grid.

Key Fact: Retail-rate credits vs. wholesale-rate credits increase your lifetime solar profits by 462% , or over $31,900 on a typical Alberta home installation. This is why Alberta's net billing policy is critical to solar adoption in the province.

How Net Billing Works , Step by Step

Solar Generation

Your solar panels convert sunlight into DC electricity, which an inverter converts to usable AC power for your home or business.

Self-Consumption First

Your property uses the solar power first, automatically reducing the amount of electricity you need to purchase from the grid. This happens in real-time throughout the day.

Export Excess Energy

When you generate more electricity than you're currently using, the excess flows back to the grid automatically through your bidirectional meter.

Earn Retail-Rate Credits

Your electricity retailer credits your account at the retail electricity rate for all exported energy. These appear on your monthly bill as "Micro-Generation Credits."

Credits Offset Future Bills

When you consume electricity from the grid (at night or during low solar production), your accumulated credits offset these charges, dramatically reducing your bill.

Net billing metering graphic Alberta solar how it works

Alberta solar homeowner electricity bill showing Microgen credit net billing

An Alberta solar homeowner's electric bill showcasing the Microgen credit from excess solar energy.

Understanding Your Solar Electricity Bill

An Alberta electricity bill with solar includes several key components. Here's exactly what solar affects and what it doesn't:

Bill Component	What It Is	Solar Impact
Energy Charge	Cost for electricity consumed from grid (variable per kWh)	✓ Significantly reduced by solar generation
Micro-Generation Credit	Credits earned for excess solar exported to grid at retail rate	✓ Directly offsets energy charges
Distribution Charges	Fixed fees for maintaining local power lines	✗ Not eliminated, but reduced when Solar Club credits are applied
Transmission Charges	Fees for province-wide grid infrastructure	✗ Not reduced by solar directly
Admin/Service Fees	Monthly service and billing charges	✗ Fixed fees remain regardless of solar

Important: While you earn credits for exported energy at the retail rate, you still pay fixed delivery charges (distribution, transmission, and admin fees) as long as you remain grid-connected. However, this is beneficial , these fees are a small price for using the grid as your backup energy source. The Solar Club™ can help offset even these fixed fees.

8 Key Benefits of Alberta's Net Billing System

Here is why Alberta's net billing framework is one of the best in Canada for solar homeowners:

1. Retail Rate Credits

Earn the same rate for exported energy as you pay for grid electricity , unlike most jurisdictions that only pay wholesale rates. This is the single most important factor making solar economically attractive in Alberta.

2. Monthly Bill Offsets

Credits automatically reduce your next month's electricity charges, providing immediate cash flow benefits. You see the financial return every single month from day one.

3. 12-Month Credit Banking

Unused credits roll over month-to-month for up to 12 months, allowing summer surplus to offset winter consumption. Crucial in Alberta's seasonal climate where you'll generate 3–4x more power in July than January.

4. Annual Cash Compensation

If you have leftover credits at the end of your 12-month cycle, your retailer pays you in cash for the unused balance. Systems are typically sized to avoid this, but it's an important safety net.

5. Alberta's Sunshine Advantage

With 312+ sunny days per year , the most in Canada , Alberta solar systems generate consistently strong credits. Calgary averages 2,396 sunshine hours annually; Edmonton sees 2,345 hours.

6. Grid as Virtual Battery

Remain connected to the grid for backup power at night without expensive battery systems, while still earning credits when producing. No additional cost for this safety net.

7. No Interconnection Fees

Alberta's Micro-Generation Regulation prohibits utilities from charging homeowners for interconnection or bidirectional meter installation , saving $1,000–$3,000 vs. other provinces.

8. Rate Volatility Protection

Lock in your energy costs while grid rates historically increase 2–4% annually. Your savings grow larger every year as grid electricity becomes more expensive.

Net Billing ROI , Real Numbers

Based on a typical Alberta home with a $25,000 solar system, $180/month electricity bill, 90% solar coverage, and 12¢/kWh retail rate with 2% annual escalation:

25-Year ROI Calculator

Time Period	Annual Savings	Cumulative Savings	System Cost Remaining	Net Position
Initial Investment	,	,	$25,000	-$25,000
Year 1	$1,944	$1,944	$23,056	-$23,056
Year 3	$2,023	$5,951	$19,049	-$19,049
Year 5	$2,105	$10,145	$14,855	-$14,855
Year 10	$2,311	$21,456	$3,544	-$3,544
Year 13 , Break-Even	$2,461	$27,822	$0	+$2,822
Year 15	$2,564	$32,893	$0	+$7,893
Year 20	$2,832	$47,325	$0	+$22,325
Year 25	$3,127	$63,821	$0	+$38,821

Alberta Net Billing vs. Wholesale Rate , Why It Matters

Metric	With Alberta Net Billing (Retail 12¢/kWh)	Without Net Billing (Wholesale 6¢/kWh)	Difference
Year 1 Savings	$1,944	$972	+$972/yr
10-Year Savings	$21,456	$10,728	+$10,728
Payback Period	12.9 years	25.7 years	12.8 years faster
25-Year Total Savings	$63,821	$31,911	+$31,910
Net Lifetime Profit	$38,821	$6,911	+$31,910 (462% more)
Investment Viability	Excellent ROI	Marginal/Poor	,

Maximizing Your Net Billing Returns

1. Right-Size Your System

Alberta's Micro-Generation Regulation limits system size to match your annual energy consumption. A properly sized system:

Generates enough to cover 85–100% of your annual needs
Avoids oversizing, which provides diminishing returns due to 12-month credit expiry
Maximizes summer overproduction to bank credits for winter
Accounts for future consumption increases (EV charging, heat pumps, etc.)

Sizing Example: If your home uses 9,000 kWh annually, a 7.5 kW solar system producing approximately 9,500 kWh per year provides optimal coverage. The 5% buffer accounts for system degradation and ensures maximum credit accumulation.

2. Understand Alberta's Seasonal Production Pattern

A properly sized system in Calgary (7.5 kW) produces approximately:

January: ~280 kWh (low sun angle, shorter days)
April: ~950 kWh (credit building begins)
July: ~1,200 kWh (peak production, large surplus)
October: ~700 kWh (transitioning to consumption)
December: ~220 kWh (mostly drawing from banked credits)

The key: 70–80% of annual production occurs during April–September. Summer surplus banks credits that offset winter consumption.

3. Choose the Right Electricity Retailer

Some Alberta retailers offer enhanced programs for micro-generators:

Solar Club™: High rate $0.30/kWh (May–Oct), low rate $0.0877/kWh (Nov–Apr) , learn more
Seasonal rate programs that increase annual savings by 15–25%
Flexible rate switching aligned with your production cycles
Annual retailer review can add $200–$400 to yearly savings

Airdrie Alberta solar production vs consumption graph monthly net billing

Monthly solar production vs. consumption for an Airdrie home. Summer surplus builds credits that carry through winter.

Solar Club electricity rates seasonal Alberta

The Solar Club™ rates , $0.30/kWh in summer export months, $0.0877/kWh in winter import months.

Offset Your Energy Costs With the Sun

No matter what, you're likely to spend around $30,000 on electricity over the next 10 years. The difference is where that money goes.

Home without solar energy high electricity bill Alberta

Your home without solar energy

$250 average monthly electricity bill
10-Year Cost: $30,000+ (rates rising 2–4% annually)
Continued dependence on utility companies
No long-term savings or added home value

Home with solar net billing low electricity bill Alberta microgen credit

Your home with solar net billing

Earn Micro-Generation Credits at retail rate
12-month credit rollover , summer credits offset winter bills
Ownership of your power generation system
20+ years of low cost electricity after payback
Protection against rising electricity rates
Energy independence and savings

Net Billing FAQ

Net metering (used in most provinces) typically credits exported energy at wholesale rates (around 6¢/kWh). Alberta's net billing credits exports at the full retail rate (12–18¢/kWh), which can be up to 3x more valuable. This makes Alberta one of the best provinces in Canada for solar economics.

Credits roll over for 12 months. At your annual true-up date, any remaining unused credits are paid out in cash at a rate determined by your retailer (typically the wholesale rate). Most well-sized systems are designed so you use up your credits before the 12-month mark.

Yes. All Alberta retailers must follow the Micro-Generation Regulation and credit exports at retail rate. However, the specific rate plans and programs vary by retailer. The Solar Club™ program, available through select retailers, offers an enhanced $0.30/kWh export rate during summer months, which can significantly increase annual savings.

No. Alberta's Micro-Generation Regulation prohibits distribution utilities from charging homeowners for interconnection applications, studies, or bidirectional meter installation. This saves Alberta solar owners $1,000–$3,000 compared to homeowners in other provinces.

When you sell your home, any remaining credits are not automatically transferable. However, the new homeowner can apply to become a micro-generator and begin accumulating their own credits. This is typically disclosed as part of the real estate transaction and may add value to your property sale.

The Micro-Generation Regulation is provincial legislation. As of 2026, there are no announced plans to reduce or eliminate retail-rate net billing. However, as more solar is installed, future changes are possible. Installing sooner rather than later typically means your interconnection agreement is established under current favourable terms.

All wire owners in Alberta , including EPCOR (Edmonton), FortisAlberta (most rural and suburban areas), ATCO Electric (northern Alberta), and ENMAX (Calgary distribution) , are required to support micro-generation interconnection under provincial regulation. Medicine Hat has its own municipal utility that also participates.

See What Net Billing Does for Your Home

We'll model your annual production, monthly credit accumulation, and exact break-even timeline. Free, transparent, no sales pressure.

Alberta Net Billing:The #1 Solar ROI Accelerator