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We Were Solar Before It Was Cool

A personal reflection from Denise, co-founder of Camrose Energy

If you’ve been thinking about solar in Alberta, you’re not alone. More homeowners than ever are exploring solar, and with the Solar Club™, there are more ways than ever to make it work for your home and your budget.

From Early Adopters to Solar Experts

This time of year, I tend to get a little reflective. With the start of solar season and the kick-off of HI rates, I always find myself smiling when I think about how far solar has come.

We were early adopters, and I truly believe that journey is what sets our level of experience apart when it comes to answering our customers’ solar questions.

Our story started in 2012, when my husband Russell and I were researching how to install solar on our newly built home. Back then, there were not many solar installers around, so Russell and a friend put the panels up themselves.

At the time, we were among roughly 1,000 homeowners across Alberta with solar on their roof, and electricity was sitting at about 3 cents per kilowatt hour. People would always ask, “How long until you pay it off?” My answer was always the same. Faster than your Mexico vacation.

For us, solar was a lifestyle choice, not a financial calculation.

My how times have changed.

Solar Is No Longer a Niche Idea

Solar is no longer a niche or unfamiliar idea. In 2026, there are now more than 43,000 homes in Alberta with solar panels. Those numbers confirm what we have always known. Solar is the way forward.

And with the Solar Club™ and all the benefits it offers, I can confidently say that solar now makes strong economic sense too.

Since joining the Solar Club™ in 2019, we did not pay an electricity bill until late 2024. Part of that is because our habits changed along with our system. We added two electric vehicles, shifted to the LO rate, and we have not looked back.

If you’re newer to solar or still learning how it all works, we’ve put together a blog outlining how the Solar Club™ through Camrose Energy benefits you and your community.

If you’re still in the planning stages and looking at installers, this guide walks through what to look for and how to choose the right fit.

We’re Still All In on Solar

We believe in solar so deeply that it is woven into our values and our way of life. In fact, we are currently taking down our original 7.2 kW system and replacing it with a 19 kW array.

You might wonder why we did not simply add to it. The answer is straightforward. Our original modules are 265W panels, and the new ones are 455W. Mixing them would make it difficult to build something that is both functional and visually clean.

As for the old array, it will be gifted to our son. There is plenty of life left in those panels.

If you’re getting ready for your own install, there are a few things that can make the process go a lot smoother.

Solar and Giving Back: The Camrose Energy Way

When I look back at our solar journey, I see more than just our home.

From the beginning, I connected solar energy with giving back to our community, and that connection is built right into our business model.

In 2018, we completed Phase One of a two-part project with Solar Harvest at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Camrose, followed by Phase Two in 2020 and culminating in a 16.5 kW array.. Solar Harvest donated their labour, and Camrose Energy covered the cost of the array through our Community Connections program. That program receives 10% of our project revenues to support community organizations.

Last year, the Camrose Women’s Shelter also installed a 19.35 kWarray. With the help of an anonymous donor, Camrose Energy helped fund a system that fills the roof of the shelter. Will it completely offset their usage? Not entirely, but it will reduce their energy bills and help make the organization more financially sustainable over time.

In 2024, we also contributed $10,000 toward the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary’s 42 kW array, helping an organization that relies on significant electricity to freeze food for those remarkable animals. That system is designed to fully offset their energy use.

All three of these organizations benefit from solar in two important ways. A reduced carbon footprint and greater financial sustainability, especially as electricity rates continue to climb far beyond those 3 cents per kilowatt hour we saw back in 2012.


Why We’re the Best Solar Club™ Option

Solar is not a trend we jumped on. We were solar before solar was cool, and that history matters. I consider myself a solar expert, and I know our team does too.

That reputation shows up in a very real way. When someone is thinking about going solar, their spouse often says, “Talk to Denise first.” We hear it all the time.

People come into our office more than once. They work through the details, ask questions, and make sure they truly understand what they are signing up for.

Maurina often says my voice shifts to “schoolgirl giddy” the moment solar comes up. She is not wrong. I genuinely love educating our customers, especially those who have just had solar installed. They know they need the Solar Club™, but they do not always understand everything it offers yet.

That is exactly why we never rush the process. We do not push you to sign up online. We want you to understand every benefit so you can fully capitalize on what the Solar Club™ brings you.

If you are looking for the best Solar Club™ option and want to speak with true solar experts, we would love to hear from you.

We Love To Talk Solar

Ready to learn more? Call us at (780) 781-4115 and ask for Cameron or Denise, or visit www.camroseenergy.com

Interested in learning more about Solar or the Solar Club™?

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