The Solar Club:
ENMAX's High-Rate Solar Program for Calgary
Calgary homeowners with ENMAX electricity service can earn $0.30 per kWh for summer solar exports under the Solar Club rate, well above the standard net billing rate.
What Is the Solar Club?
The Solar Club is a time-of-use electricity rate offered by ENMAX specifically for customers with solar panels. Instead of being billed under the standard residential rate, Solar Club customers pay and receive credits under a seasonal high/low structure designed to maximize the value of summer solar production.
Calgary receives some of the highest solar irradiance in Canada, thanks to its elevation and geographic position. The Solar Club rate structure aligns with that production profile: the highest export credit rate applies during the summer months when your panels are generating the most.
Solar Club vs. Standard Net Billing
For Calgary homeowners deciding between Solar Club and standard net billing, the right choice depends on your system size and consumption profile. Here's how the two programs compare.
| Feature | Solar Club (ENMAX) | Standard Net Billing |
|---|---|---|
| Available to | ENMAX customers in Calgary | All Alberta solar owners |
| Summer export rate | $0.30/kWh (May to Oct) | ~18 cents/kWh (retail, varies) |
| Winter export rate | $0.0877/kWh (Nov to Apr) | ~18 cents/kWh (retail, varies) |
| Credit rollover | No rollover pool | 12-month rollover |
| Best for | High summer exporters, large systems | Year-round balance, smaller systems |
| Enrollment | Must opt-in with ENMAX | Automatic on interconnection |
If your system exports a large surplus in May through October, the Solar Club's $0.30/kWh rate can significantly outperform standard net billing during those months. However, because there is no 12-month credit rollover, any credits not used in the current billing period don't carry forward. The two programs require careful modeling against your actual usage profile to determine which yields better annual economics.
Solar Club vs. Net Billing: An Elbow Park Calgary Homeowner Runs the Numbers
A Calgary homeowner in Elbow Park with a 10 kW south-facing system was generating a large summer surplus. Under standard ENMAX net billing, summer credits were rolling over but not being fully consumed before the annual true-up, resulting in some forfeiture.
We modeled the homeowner's monthly production and consumption data against both rate structures. The Solar Club's $0.30/kWh summer rate applied to their June and July export surplus alone represented an additional $340 compared to standard net billing credits, even accounting for the lack of credit rollover.
After enrolling in Solar Club, the homeowner's annual net electricity benefit improved by approximately $290. The high summer export rate more than compensated for the loss of the 12-month credit rollover that standard net billing provides.
Client name changed. Results vary based on individual circumstances. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
How to Enroll in the Solar Club
The Solar Club is an optional rate program. You don't automatically get enrolled when you go solar in Calgary. Here's the process:
- Complete your solar installation and receive interconnection approval from ENMAX.
- Contact ENMAX directly to request enrollment in the Solar Club rate.
- ENMAX will review your installation and confirm eligibility (must be an ENMAX electricity customer with an approved grid-connected solar system).
- Your billing will switch to the Solar Club rate structure on your next billing cycle.
We recommend requesting the Solar Club rate schedule from ENMAX before deciding to enroll. Review the consumption rates alongside the export rates to model your full-year economics. Our team can help you run the comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The Solar Club is exclusive to ENMAX customers, and ENMAX is the utility serving Calgary. Homeowners in Edmonton (EPCOR service area), or rural areas served by FortisAlberta, are not eligible. Those homeowners use standard net billing under the provincial Micro-Generation Regulation.
You should confirm this directly with ENMAX at the time you enroll. Rate program switching policies can change, so understanding the opt-out terms before enrolling is important if you have any uncertainty about whether Solar Club is the right fit.
The Solar Club rate applies to electricity flowing in and out of your meter, which includes battery discharge to the grid. However, if you have battery storage, you may prefer to use your battery for self-consumption rather than grid export, particularly during winter months when the Solar Club's low-season rate is $0.0877/kWh. Model your battery dispatch strategy against both rate options before committing.
Rates are set by ENMAX and can change. The $0.30/kWh high-season rate has been stable for several years, but it is not regulated by the province in the same way as standard net billing credits. Review the current rate schedule directly with ENMAX and ask whether any rate adjustments are planned when you enroll.
More Alberta Solar Incentives
The Solar Club is one piece of a broader incentive picture available to Calgary homeowners. See the full overview on our Alberta solar incentives page, and explore how CEIP financing can remove the upfront cost of installation entirely.
See If Solar Club Is Right for Your Calgary Home
We'll model your system against both Solar Club and standard net billing rates so you can see exactly which program puts more money back in your pocket.