Uncategorized – Solshare Energy

Our Response to Michael Moore’s Film “Planet of the Humans”

On Earth Day Michael Moore released a film entitled “Planet of the Humans.” It has been widely viewed and created much discussion.

As others have pointed out there are many errors in the film. We would like to specifically address some of the statements about solar energy and how they relate to our work in the BC context.

Early in the film, there are shots of a solar energy array that is producing power at 8% efficiency. The solar panels shown are amorphous or thin film. Others have pointed out that this scene was filmed several years ago. However, even at that point in time, very few solar installations were using this type of panel. Most used crystalline panels which were about twice as efficient. All of the installations we do use crystalline panels which are now at 18-20% efficiency.

During that same scene, the claim is made that more efficient panels are much more expensive. In reality, the reason why so few thin film panels were installed is that the more efficient crystalline panels became much less expensive than the thin film panels.

Panels installed in 2005 and still producing.

In another scene, someone comments that solar panels last “10 years.” This is also false. The first photovoltaic module ever produced is now over 60 years old and still produces electricity. Almost all panels now come with a 25 year warranty. Panels on commercial sites in Germany have been producing power for over 30 years and are still at over 90% of their original production. The first installation our parent company VREC did in Vancouver is now 15 years old and still producing over 90% of the original rated power.

Another claim from the film is that the electrical grid requires fossil fuel generation to operate. This is just dishonest. Hydroelectricity and geothermal can be used as base generation. Iceland uses 100% renewable energy on its electrical grid. Several other jurisdictions are at, or close to, 100% as well.

The most significant misleading claim the film makes is in the life-cycle analysis of renewables such as solar. A claim is made that more greenhouse gases (GHG) are used to make the products than will ever be offset by their use. Numerous studies (and meta-studies) have, in fact, shown that over the lifetime of a solar energy system, it will have GHG emissions that are 90% less than that of fossil fuel generation. This is after accounting for the raw material extraction, equipment production, transportation and installation.

Even here in BC, which has a relatively clean grid electricity, solar energy can still result in a GHG reduction of about 50% based on life cycle analysis. For a more detailed analysis of this see:
https://www.vrec.ca/blog/2014/11/05/photovoltaic-energy-better-bcs-grid/

Even Richard Heinberg, one of the “experts” interviewed in the film says the film makes “silly mistakes” specifically about renewable energy. He also points out the film is inaccurate in its portrayal of some environmental organizations and their leaders.

It is a shame that the film gets so many facts wrong, because it does have a few good messages. It is true that we need to reduce consumption and not rely just on technology. Also there are valid criticisms of bio-fuels.

Others have written more details about what is wrong with this film. Here are few if you want to explore the issued raised by the film further:

https://heated.world/p/the-wheel-of-first-time-climate-dudes/

https://ketanjoshi.co/2020/04/24/planet-of-the-humans-a-reheated-mess-of-lazy-old-myths/

https://www.ecoequity.org/2020/04/why-the-planet-of-the-humans-is-crap/

https://350.org/response-planet-of-the-humans-documentary/

https://www.filmsforaction.org/articles/skepticism-is-healthy-but-planet-of-the-humans-is-toxic

https://earther.gizmodo.com/planet-of-the-humans-comes-this-close-to-act

Indigenous Owned Utilities in BC

A recent article in The Conversation discussed a proposal to change rules around Indigenous energy utilities.

Although this article makes several important points we think it confuses the current state of Indigenous Utility ownership. Currently Indigenous communities can run clean energy utilities. And several do. They can also create new utilities. The problem is those utilities are limited in what they do. For example, they can engage in generation but are limited in what they can do with transmission or distribution. In BCH rate Zone 1 they are limited in size (but not in Zone 2).

It also possible to set-up utilities that operate off-reserve but with limited scope.

As the article correctly points out Indigenous Communities should have the right to own and operate utilities that are not subject to the current restrictions.

But we should be encouraging Indigenous Communities to set up utilities (or take ownership in utilities like SolShare Energy) under the current rules as well as working to change the rules.

The Economics

It is also important to do the math. For many First Nations communities they would be better off economically operating or jointly owning a utility under the current rules rather than the expanded options in the proposed changes.

For example in Zone 2 communities it would be more profitable to operate a generation facility under the current rules than own distribution infrastructure which BCH currently subsidies. In Zone 1, First Nations could sell power at 50% more through a utility like SolShare Energy compared to a utility that sells through a re-opened SOP program.

Based on our calculations there are over $60 million in economic opportunities for First Nations under the current utility rules.

We are here to help

As a utility operating in BC we are currently planning 5 new renewable power plants. Our plan is to include indigenous ownership in all of these. Some are on-reserve and some off.

We would be happy to speak with Indigenous peoples about how they can take advantage of the current rules to increase indigenous ownership of renewable energy utilities in BC.

SolShare Pays 4% Dividend

For the sixth year in a row, since establishing in 2014, SolShare Energy paid a dividend to our community of investors. For the period from January 31, 2019 to January 30, 2020, investors received $1.99 per C2 share, which was an annualized dividend yield of 4.0%.

SolShare Energy currently operates two solar energy plants in Vancouver. These plants are owned by local residents who are part of our community of investors, along with Vancouver Renewable Energy Cooperative. We are in early negotiations for four more solar plants that will be located throughout BC. It is anticipated that future plants will also include Indigenous ownership. SolShare makes it possible for the general public to invest in community power projects for as little as $1000.

About SolShare Energy

Parc Elise Solar Array — SolShare’s Second Plant in Vancouver

SolShare Energy is BC’s first community-owned solar energy investment program. SolShare’s mission is to enable investors to share in ownership of a diverse portfolio of renewable energy installations throughout BC that offer financial, social, and environmental returns. Solshare Energy is a project of Vancouver Renewable Energy Co-operative(VREC).

Workers are Owners

The workers from local communities where we build solar energy plants not only get paid a salary but get paid shares that make them owners of the energy plant. That means that they will get paid dividends from the project for the rest of their lives.

This is just one of the ways our cooperative community ownership model encourages local ownership. The ownership is also open to other local residents, First Nation governments, municipalities, businesses and non-profits. The ultimate goal is for the entire plant to be be locally owned.

Local ownership and employment is just one of the benefits our solar energy plants bring to communities. For remote diesel communities it also reduces the pollution from diesel generators.

If you are interested in building a cooperatively owned community solar plant in your community contact us to learn more.

Working with Indigenous Communities: How SolShare Energy is different than other energy companies

Free, prior, and informed consent: Our Independent Power Producer (IPPs) will only be built if the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) principles on consent are met. Consultation alone is not enough.
Grassroots ownership: Share ownership will be available both to the band and individual community members.
Not government dependent: We may accept government grants to help fund portions of projects, but the project will be not be dependent entirely on government funding.
Controlled by community, not large corporations: The majority of SolShare ownership will always be individual community members, First Nations, co-operatives and credit unions. Our model aims to bring together both settler and indigenous communities to create a new, more democratic and equitable economic future.

Solshare Raises $74,500

Rendering of our newest Vancouver plant.

Solshare Energy has raised $74,500 for a second community solar energy plant to be located in Vancouver. The 27 kW photovoltaic plant is expected to be producing electricity within the next few months.

Solshare also paid out dividends to previous shareholders of $1.78 per share. This is up from $1.63 per share paid out in January 2017.

About Solshare Energy

Solshare Energy is BC’s first cooperatively owned community solar energy project. Solshare’s plan is to own a portfolio of renewable energy installations throughout BC that will engage BC residents and offer financial, social, and environmental returns. Solshare Energy is a project of Vancouver Renewable Energy Co-operative (VREC).

Financial statements and documents for potential investors are available at Solshare Energy’s website: solshare.ca

Who is Investing in Solshare?

Monday we had an open house at our offices and we got to meet some of our new investors.

One woman had recently purchased an electric vehicle (EV) and was wanting to offset the additional electrical consumption that the vehicle would need. Since she is a renter installing a solar on her roof is not an option.

This sparked a lively conversation with another visitor who is an EV enthusiast. In the end she purchased enough shares to generate about 2,000 kWh annually. This will likely cover her modest vehicle usage.

Another guest talked about her efforts to divest from the fossil fuel industry. She was excited to be able to invest in local renewable energy.

A mechanical engineer with experience in the solar energy industry also stopped by and became an investor. He had some good technical questions about both our current plant and our plans for expansion.

If you would like to join these people and invest in local renewable energy you have until January 24th. Review the documents at http://www.solshare.ca/investor-package/ to get started.

Comparing BC’s Community Solar Projects

Over the last couple of years there has been a surge of interest in community owned solar projects in British Columbia. There are now at least five projects that are under way or planned. We thought it would be helpful to compare Solshare Energy to these other projects.

Two Models

When we launched Solshare we chose a cooperatively owned model that is widespread in Europe. Some of the others have decided to use a “Virtual Net-Metering” (VNM) model that is newer and more common in North America. We feel the cooperative model has several advantages.

Below we compare the various models. The comparisons are based on limited information we have on some of these initiatives and we will update this as we have more information. Let us know if you have any additional information.

The Projects

Solshare Energy was the first project that allowed community members to have direct ownership and benefit in community owned solar projects. It has one plant that has been generating revenues for two years and another plant currently under construction.

Nelson’s Solar Garden was the next project to come along. A solar array is up and producing power. They use a virtual net-metering model that is open to customers of Nelson’s electrical utility.

New Westminster’s Solar Garden is in the process of signing up supporters who are customers of New Westminister’s utility. It is also a VNM model.

Fortis BC has a proposal before the BC Utilities Commission to install a large 240 kW array in the Okanagan and will also use VNM.

Island Community Solar Co-op is a Nanaimo based project that plans to use the cooperative model.

Parameters for evaluating the models

	Current ROI	Potential ROI	Legal Ownership	Portability	Return of Capital	Transfer-ability	Voice	Accessibility
SolShare	4.0%	7.00%	Yes	Yes	Possible	Yes	Yes	Open
Nelson Solar Garden	2.80%	5.70%	No	Limited	No?	Limited	Indirect	Limited
Fortis BC	negative	?	No	Limited	N/A	Limited	No	Limited
Island Community Solar Coop	?	?	Yes?	Yes?	Possible?	Yes?	Yes?	Open?
New Wesminister	3.51%?	?	No	Limited	No?	Limited	Indirect	Limited

ROI

Most models require community members invest a sum of money in the solar array(s) and then they receive a regular benefit either in the form of dividends or saving on their electrical bill. The amount of savings or dividends compared to the initial investment allows one to calculate the return on investment (ROI).

Solshare created a business model that would allow us to pay a dividend that was better than the anuual return investors would earn in a savings account or GIC. However, it is still lower than the long term average from a diversified equity investment portfolio. We have been paying out an annualized dividend rate of 3.3% to 4% and expect to continue paying at lest 4%. The payments do qualify for a dividend tax credit. Note: caution should be used when comparing dividend rates with total returns from other investments. See the information on return of capital below.

Most of the VNM models seem to be offering a return that is less than this. The VNM model does have the advantage of being an after tax savings but if it the ROI is significantly lower that advantage is lost.

Fortis BC seems to be the worst of the lot and will have a negative ROI. Although this project does not require an up front investment the “rental” of the panels costs almost twice as much as you save.

We feel that promoting solar energy projects with a negative return on investment does not help promote renewable energy as a viable alternative.

Legal Ownership

With Solshare the investors become shareholders of the solar plants. They have legal rights as such. With VNM models it seems as the though utility retains ownership of the solar array. Fortis makes it clear that customers are only “renting” the panels.

We think that we need a more diversified ownership model for energy and that this has an advantage over concentrated ownership in the hands of a few utilities.

Voice and Democracy

Solshare is governed by a board that has representatives from both the workers that build the plants and the investors that own them. The investors can nominate board representatives using one person / one vote (based on cooperative principles).

The VNM projects do not appear to have a board that represents the community members. In the case of New Westminster and Nelson there is an indirect voice since they are owned by democratically elected governments. The Fortis project will be owned by a corporation which has its own board.

Return of Capital

Most projects will require an initial investment to help fund the acquisition of the solar array. It is not clear if the VNM investors can get this sum back if they withdraw from the scheme or move out of the utilities boundaries.

Although Solshare does not guarantee return on capital we do offer two mechanism through which this could happen. If there are enough new investors waiting to invest we will buy back shares from those wishing to sell. We will also set aside a portion of revenues after dividends as a reserve fund. At some point in the future this fund will be large enough to start buying back a portion of shares from investors.

Accessibility

Most VNM investments are only open to utility customers. If you are outside of the utility’s service area you are not eligible. If you are a renter who does not pay for your electrical service you are also not eligible.

Solshare investments are available to almost anyone in BC. In fact although we are primarily focused on making community investments open to BC residents we can also accept investments from elsewhere.

Portability and Transferability

With utility controlled VNM projects you may no longer be able to participate if you move outside of the utility service area. And if you want to sell or transfer your share you can only do so with other customers in the service area.

With co-operative models like Solshare you don’t have those restrictions.

SolShare Energy Pays Third Dividend

SolShare Energy has paid a dividend of $1.6308 per C2 share for the period from January 20th, 2016 to January 15th, 2017. The shares are sold at $50.

If you are interested in investing in community solar energy with Solshare Energy, check out our FAQs page.

About Solshare Energy

Solshare Energy is BC’s first cooperatively owned community solar energy project. Solshare’s plan is to own a portfolio of renewable energy installations throughout BC that will engage BC residents and offer financial, social, and environmental returns. Solshare’s first installation was a 23kW system installed in east Vancouver. Solshare Energy is a project of Vancouver Renewable Energy Co-operative (VREC).

2nd Dividend Paid to Solshare Investors

Solshare Energy has now paid its second dividend of $0.19 per share for the period of 12/08/2015 to 01/20/2016. Solshare investments are Class C2 investments and receive 3.3% annualized interest.

These dividend payments were followed by a second opening for investments, contributing to a total $69,000 raised in share capital from investors.