Question 1

What is Sponsor Energy’s Smart Solar Plan?

Accepted Answer

Smart Solar is an automated solar electricity plan designed to help you get more value from the power your system produces. When you’re a net exporter, you can earn our premium 35¢/kWh solar rate. When you’re a net consumer, you pay your applicable lower electricity rate. The smart part? Sponsor handles the rate optimization automatically. No watching the calendar. No guessing when to switch. No remembering to switch back.

Question 2

How does Smart Solar work?

Accepted Answer

Your bi-directional meter records the electricity you take from the grid and the electricity you send back. Sponsor receives that metering data from your local electricity distributor and uses it to determine when your account qualifies for the premium solar rate. You generate. We do the math.

Question 3

What are the Smart Solar rates?

Accepted Answer

Our current premium solar export rate is 35¢/kWh. When you’re not qualifying for the premium solar rate, your electricity is billed at the applicable rate under your Sponsor Energy plan. Current rates are always available on our website.

Question 4

Do I have to manually switch between high and low solar rates?

Accepted Answer

No. That’s the whole idea behind Smart Solar. Traditional high/low solar programs can require customers to decide when to change rates. Smart Solar analyzes your metering information and handles the optimization for you. Think of it as solar on autopilot.

Question 5

How does Sponsor know when to switch my rate?

Accepted Answer

We use the official metering information received from your local electricity distributor. When the applicable metering data shows that you qualify for the premium solar rate, Smart Solar applies it automatically. You don’t need to predict your generation or choose a switching date yourself.

Question 6

What if I want to choose my own switching date?

Accepted Answer

You don’t need to. Smart Solar is specifically designed to remove the guesswork around when to change rates. Sponsor receives the official data used for electricity billing and uses that information to optimize your Smart Solar rate.

Question 7

I’m already a Sponsor Energy customer and just installed solar. What do I need to do?

Accepted Answer

Usually, nothing. Once your solar system has been commissioned and Sponsor begins receiving the appropriate generation/export metering data from your electricity distributor, our system can identify your solar site and begin applying Smart Solar.

Question 8

My solar system was just commissioned. What’s next?

Accepted Answer

Once your distributor begins sending us your official solar metering data, Smart Solar can kick in automatically. There’s no separate Smart Solar membership application required for an existing Sponsor customer.

Question 9

My panels haven’t been installed yet. Can I sign up with Sponsor?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We can provide a solar-compatible electricity plan before your system is installed. We may ask you for proof of your upcoming solar installation.

Question 10

Does Sponsor Energy install solar panels?

Accepted Answer

No. Sponsor Energy is your energy retailer, not your solar installer. Your solar installer and local electricity distributor handle the installation, approval and metering requirements. Once your system is properly installed and commissioned, Sponsor handles your electricity plan and credits for eligible power exported to the grid.

Question 11

Is there a fee to join Smart Solar?

Accepted Answer

No Smart Solar membership fee is required. Residential customers in good credit standing are not charged a special Smart Solar sign-up fee, membership due or “prudential” deposit simply to participate in the program.

Question 12

What is a bi-directional meter?

Accepted Answer

A bi-directional meter measures electricity moving in both directions: Import: electricity you take from the grid. Export: excess electricity your solar system sends back to the grid. Your local electricity distributor installs and operates the meter, and its readings provide the official data used for your electricity bill and solar credits.

Question 13

What’s the difference between solar production and solar export?

Accepted Answer

This is one of the most common sources of confusion for solar customers. Your solar app may show everything your panels produced. Your electricity meter records the electricity that actually left your property and went onto the grid. For example, if your panels generate 20 kWh and your home immediately uses 8 kWh, only the remaining 12 kWh is exported to the grid. That’s why the generation shown in your solar app won’t necessarily match the export shown on your Sponsor bill.

Question 14

Why am I still showing electricity consumption when I’m producing lots of solar power?

Accepted Answer

Because producing more electricity than you use overall doesn’t mean you’re never taking electricity from the grid. Your panels might export lots of electricity on a sunny afternoon, while your home imports electricity that evening or overnight. Your bi-directional meter keeps track of both flows separately.

Question 15

How are my solar credits calculated?

Accepted Answer

Solar credits are based on the electricity your system actually exports to the grid, as recorded by your official meter. Eligible exported electricity is credited at the applicable Smart Solar rate. Under the current Smart Solar premium rate, qualifying exports receive 35¢/kWh.

Question 16

When will I see my solar credits?

Accepted Answer

Sponsor applies solar credits after we receive the necessary metering information from your electricity distributor. That data doesn’t always arrive in real time, so there can be a delay between what you see in your solar monitoring app and what appears on your Sponsor bill.

Question 17

Do unused solar credits expire?

Accepted Answer

No. If you generate more credits than you use on your current bill, the unused balance can carry forward and be applied to future bills.

Question 18

Can I receive a payout if I build up a large credit?

Accepted Answer

Solar credits are first applied against your Sponsor Energy account. If you accumulate a substantial credit balance, contact Sponsor Energy about the payout options available for your account. Payouts are subject to the applicable account and billing requirements.

Question 19

Why doesn’t my Sponsor bill match my solar app?

Accepted Answer

Your solar app and electricity bill are measuring different things. Your solar app generally measures solar production. Your electricity bill uses official distributor metering data showing electricity imported from and exported to the grid. You may also consume some of the electricity your panels produce immediately inside your home. That electricity never reaches the grid, so it doesn’t appear as exported electricity on your bill.

Question 20

Why do I sometimes see negative consumption or adjustments on my bill?

Accepted Answer

Solar metering information can arrive from your electricity distributor at different times. If Sponsor receives additional or updated meter information after a bill has been produced, we may need to reverse and rebill part of the previous period so the correct Smart Solar rate can be applied. Those adjustments can sometimes appear as negative consumption or other billing corrections. It may look a little strange, but it’s the accounting doing its job.

Question 21

Is Smart Solar the same as Solar Club?

Accepted Answer

No. Sponsor Energy operates independently and is not a member of Solar Club. Smart Solar is Sponsor Energy’s own solar rate program. Solar Club is a registered trademark of its respective owner.

Question 22

Can I have a variable electricity plan and Smart Solar?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If you’re on an eligible variable-rate electricity plan, Smart Solar can still apply the premium solar rate when your metering data qualifies, while your applicable variable rate continues to apply during lower-generation periods.

Question 23

What if I sell my house or move?

Accepted Answer

No problem. You can move your Sponsor service to another property or cancel your service with the applicable notice under our Terms and Conditions. If your new property has solar, contact us and we’ll help make sure the account is set up appropriately.

Question 24

Does Sponsor Energy provide carbon offset credits for my solar system?

Accepted Answer

No. Solar electricity credits and carbon offset credits are different things. Sponsor provides electricity credits based on eligible electricity exported to the grid. If you want to explore carbon offsets associated with your solar system, you can work separately with a carbon offset provider.

Question 25

Are my solar savings guaranteed?

Accepted Answer

No retailer can guarantee how much electricity your particular solar system will generate. Production depends on factors including system size, panel orientation, shading, weather and how much electricity your household uses. Smart Solar is designed to help you maximize the value of the electricity you produce by automatically applying Sponsor’s applicable solar rates.

Question 26

Where can I learn more about Alberta’s solar rules?

Accepted Answer

Alberta’s rules for small-scale electricity generation are established under the Micro-Generation Regulation. You can find the current regulation and additional information through the Government of Alberta.

SMART SOLAR FAQS

ABOUT SMART SOLAR

GETTING STARTED

YOUR METER & SOLAR CREDITS

YOUR BILL

OTHER COMMON QUESTIONS

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