It isn’t really worth denying anymore. Our planet has reached a critical point when it comes to global warming, and proof of that is all too obvious to Albertans right now. All we need to do is look at Fort McMurray to realize how much of an impact climate change can have. The increased, above average temperatures is one of the reasons the wildfire that is ravaging Alberta has spread so far and caused so much damage. That level of devastation makes a pretty clear point about the importance of doing more to minimize and offset our carbon footprints—especially since the Boreal Forest, which is one of the major combatants of ozone depletion, is currently on fire, sending an unimaginable number of pollutants billowing into our atmosphere. The environmental factors should, by far, be the most compelling reason to consider switching to solar energy, but there are other benefits to comparing your energy bills between traditional and solar energy as well.
Right now, wildfire aside, Alberta is in an economic slump as a result of the crash in the value of oil. An economy that is struggling to replace its economic mainstay has a lot to gain by diversifying into the expansion of the green energy sector. That isn’t all. Investing in solar energy can have a positive effect on your electricity bill and it can offer other benefits to businesses who get involved. In other words, there are a lot of reasons to compare electricity bills between traditional and solar.
How do you get started?
The process for going solar isn’t very different from choosing the right electricity provider. You need to determine your consumption needs so you can find a rate plan that will work for you—but there are a few other things to consider as well. Why do you want to make the switch to solar? Are you looking primarily to save on the cost of your electricity or gas each month? Is your primary motivation reversing the impact of your carbon footprint? Or are you looking to invest in all the benefits—financial and otherwise—of running a green business? The reason you choose to go solar may have as big an impact on the provider you choose as the energy bill itself.
Who offers green energy?
There are a number of providers who are offering green energy solutions. JustEnergy, for example, offers a JustGreen plan for both electricity and natural gas that purchases renewable energy credits that can offset up to 100 per cent of your carbon footprint, and it can ensure that up to 100 per cent of the power you use in your home or business comes from renewable sources like solar energy, hydro, and wind. JustEnergy also offers a TerraPass that will purchase carbon offsets to help you offset the pollution caused by all of your everyday activities.
Enmax, on the other hand, is a solar energy provider that can enable you to generate your own solar electricity. They offer flexible lease options and payment plans that will take into consideration your consumption rates as well as the solar energy potential of your roof—and they can help you access government assistance programs that will help make the initial investment a bit easier.
If you are ready to compare energy bills to determine whether solar energy offers more benefits for your home or business than traditional energy sources, contact us at EnergyRates.ca. We will show you all of your options when it comes to solar energy so you can be sure to select the energy provider and rate plan that will prove most efficient for all of your energy needs—whether they be solar, traditional, or a mix of both.
