Based on a number of criteria, we seek out partners willing to provide physical sites to host solar installations. We hire solar contractors to install the solar arrays, and then lease them to the commercial partner through a 25 year agreement.
We earn revenue through these leases, which we use to fund new projects, cover operating expenses, and issue dividends to members.
Revenue for the SES Solar Co-op is realized through leases with location partners based on the solar assets installed on their sites producing clean electricity.
We periodically have new shares to sell and typically open a share offering when a new installation is underway. This means that we invite both current members and any interested Saskatchewan residents to purchase shares in the Co-op.
Each member who belongs to SES Solar Co-op owns one common share (membership share) and at least one preferred share (valued at $950). Members can own multiple preferred shares.
The Entrepreneurial Committee of the Saskatchewan Environmental Society Inc. (SES) pitched the idea of a solar co-operative in 2014. Later that year, SES was invited to participate in the Business for Good Social Venture Challenge, a project of Affinity Credit Union.
After receiving the support of the community in the Challenge’s crowdfunding campaign, SES won the Challenge and $50,000 to assist in the Solar Co-op venture. Part of the crowdfunding campaign included buying a panel in the proposed co-op and the initial 45 prospective members contributed $1,000 each.
Soon after, we incorporated as a consumer co-operative becoming our own entity – SES Solar Co-operative Ltd.
SES Solar Co-op Ltd.
SES Solar Co-op Ltd.