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FREE Solar Trade Show in Edmonton
You’re invited to the FREE Solar Trade Show!
If you are interested in a free education on all things energy efficiency and solar power, this is the event for you. There will be activities for families with children, homeowners, enthusiasts, professionals, and those looking to get involved with the industry.
You should come because we are expecting over 1000 visitors, 50 interactive booths (including Park Power’s booth); 8 workshops from top industry professionals, technical solar equipment workshops and lots of activities for children.
The Solar Trade Show is taking place Saturday March 3rd, from 10am – 6pm, at the beautiful new Centre for Applied Technology (CAT) building on NAIT’s campus in Edmonton, Alberta.
We have brought together 8 amazing industry leaders to provide free presentations.Click here to learn more!
Our keynote speaker David Miller, is the former mayor of Toronto, the head of C40 North America, and the MC for the world’s first UN Cities & Climate Change Science Conference taking place in Edmonton from March 5 – 7.
We will have family friendly workshops, where kids can make their very own solar car and solar oven (Space is limited please register before the event), and more family friendly activities.
Get the insights you need to transform your home or business into the eco-friendly, energy efficient, solar powered building of your dreams. With 50 exhibits we are sure you will meet the people who will make it happen.
Join us Saturday, March 3rd, and Seize the Solar Opportunity.
https://solaralberta.ca/events/solar-trade-show-0
Alberta’s Electricity Prices Reach Surprising Low
Alberta’s Electricity Prices Reach Surprising Low
Alberta’s residents enjoyed shockingly low electricity prices in 2017, the cheapest in at least 20 years. According to researchers, electricity prices have not been this low in Alberta since 1997.
While Alberta electricity consumers are benefitting with choices of low usage rates, this isn’t necessarily good news for electricity generation companies. Growth in demand for power from the grid slowed down while new generation facilities came online to help supply outweigh demand which was reflected in the market with decreased pricing. Prices did slightly climb through the last 6 months of 2017 and are likely to climb still higher throughout 2018.
Alberta’s Electricity Costs Compared
According some data put out by Hydro Quebec, the cost to power the average Alberta home is about $145 per month. Contrasted with the rest of Canada, Albertans are benefiting from the 2017 low market prices. Quebec residents averaged the lowest at $100 per month and Prince Edward Island averaged the highest at $230 per month.
Canadian residents, however, have some of the lowest electric bills anywhere in the world, and the average Canadian resident pays less for electricity than the average American household. In fact, according to 2017 data only India, China, South Africa, Brazil, and Czech Republic pay less for electricity than Canada.
Alberta Enacts Carbon Tax
As of January 1, 2017, Alberta enacted a carbon tax on consumable carbon based fuels based on a price $20 per tonne of carbon dioxide emitted, a number that will rise to $30 per tonne in January 1, 2018. While the carbon tax is not directly applied to consumers’ electricity bills, it will be factored into the wholesale cost for electricity since currently around 90% of electricity in Alberta is generated by burning coal and natural gas (both of which the carbon tax applies to).
The market conditions in 2017 has allowed Alberta’s electricity price to reach record lows and consumers on a Variable Rate have benefited from low relatively stable pricing. Unfortunately wholesale pricing forecasts are starting to trend upwards as demand starts to increase and the effects of coal phase out will begin to take place.
With upward pricing in mind, as we head into 2018, it would be good for Alberta consumers to consider putting themselves onto a Fixed Rate Plan to protect themselves from the upward trends and any volatility that may come with the changing marketplace. Remember with Park Power you are never locked in and can cancel or change rates for free at any time.
See You at the Keep It Local Marketplace this Fall
Do you want to eat, shop, and connect with local businesses in our community? Want to get a head start on Christmas shopping?
Don’t miss the Keep It Local Marketplace at Sherwood Park!
Keep It Local Marketplace is a variety of unique vendors, stage entertainment, and good food, and Park Power is a proud Gold Sponsor of this event on November 4th.
The Keep It Local Marketplace will feature more than 60 vendors showcasing local business and community resources – including family and parenting related items, jewelry, fashion and home products, and specialized services that we are always on the lookout for!
Bring the whole family! Sunshine Generation, a performing group that teaches song and dance to children ages 3 and up, will perform TWICE on our stage at Local Love. You do not want to miss watching these talented performers with your kids!
And there will also be a performance by Keltie Monaghan, the 16 year old a singer/songwriter with a unique voice who received a prestigious Canadian Folk Music Award nomination for her first single “Someone Tell Her” in 2016 when she was just 15!
Some of your favorite local food vendors like Fuge Fine Meats, Mona’s Kitchen, Steeped Tea, Juice Plus, Choco-liscious, Maza Foods, and Epicure will also be there!
Want to Promote Your Local Business?
Vendor registration is still open. Here’s your chance to connect with the community. Click here to apply for the Fall Market.
Keep it Local project Trivia
While searching for performance venues for her kids, Jenni discovered that Sherwood Park didn’t have a focused event that connected the community to local businesses. With so many great local businesses and agencies in the area, it was an easy decision for Jenni to create an event that would build these connections and support the community.
Make sure you don’t miss this fall event! See you on Saturday, November 4, 2017 – 10am to 4pm at in the Agora at the Sherwood Park Community Centre (401 Festival Lane).
The best part? Admission is FREE!
Regulated vs. Competitive Providers: Alberta’s Rate Options for Electricity and Natural Gas
Regulated vs. Competitive Providers: Alberta’s Rate Options for Electricity and Natural Gas
As an Alberta resident or business owner, shopping for a new energy supply is your right, and you should know that you have options as to where to purchase your electricity and natural gas supplies.
The two types of Alberta energy providers are (1) utilities that offer regulated rate options and (2) competitive energy marketers or retailers.
Regulated Providers
If you don’t sign up for service with a Competitive Provider for natural gas or electricity, you will be served by a Regulated Provider.
The regulated rates can change from month to month. How they are set is reviewed and approved by the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC).
Choosing to get your services from a Regulated Provider means that you will receive two separate bills each month – one for electricity and one for natural gas (most likely a paper bill in the mail). Regulated Providers will bill you for your electricity and natural gas on a month to month basis with the rates changing each month.
The pros of choosing a Regulated Provider are the following:
You don’t sign a contract.
A price drop in the market means you may share the savings. (although this is available with a Competitive Provider’s Variable Rate)
You don’t pay any early exit fees for canceling the regulated rate service (not something Park Power customers are subject to)
The cons of choosing a Regulated Provider are the following:
Because the regulated rate reflects the current market price, the monthly costs are less predictable due to the fluctuating market.
Your bill can be affected by volatile price spikes.
You can’t bundle your services through a Regulated Provider you will have your electricity and natural gas bill from separate providers.
Competitive Providers
When you choose a Competitive Provider, you have more rate options available to you, Fixed, Variable, and Green Energy.
The pros of choosing a Competitive Provider are the following:
When you choose a Fixed Price, you gain peace of mind knowing you will be paying the same rates regardless of market conditions.
Fixed price contracts can protect you against short-term price increases due to the fluctuating market.
Only a Competitive Provider can offer to both electricity and natural gas.
The cons of choosing a Competitive Provider are the following:
If the market rates drop, Fixed Price customers may locked into a contract price for the term of the contract
And should you choose to end your contract before the agreed term, some retailers impose early exit fees (again Park Power does not do this).
The choice is entirely up to you if you would like to continue with your utility’s regulated rate option or switch to a plan from a marketer operating in your area. Switching energy services typically takes 5 to 10 days.
Deciding on a new plan for electricity and natural gas requires that you do your research.
Comparing all your options will help you get the plan features, rate structure, and term length that best suit your needs.
Remember that Park Power offers low rates, awesome service, and shares 10% of our profits with charities.
