Solar Way

The Origins of the One-of-a-Kind Program Formerly Known as Group Buy

The Solar Way (formerly Group Buy) program was integral to the formation of Wascana Solar Co-op.

We were a bunch of people looking to get together over drinks to discuss a way to group our solar installs for a reduced rate. After a lot of back and forth, we designed what was soon to be our first group buy.

It consisted of about 30 households, including board current members. We had one thing in mind—cheaper solar for all! It was a learning process to say the least. We were trying to do something that had never been done before in Saskatchewan.

It was a lot of work. Many of our volunteer directors worked plenty of evenings sorting through the participants and solar installers to find the best possible outcome. 

In the end, it paid off big time. We were able to reduce project costs for our members by 10% to 20%. It paved the way for us to make this into a repeatable process.

How Does Solar Way Work?

Looking to go solar on your home or business? We can help. Through our Solar Way program (formerly known as the Group Buy program), we help our members install solar arrays on their homes, garages, or businesses.

We'll walk beside you through the entire process. We:

• work with you to determine the best design fit for you and your property
• give advice on grants and loans that may be available
• put your bid out to installers to help you find options for your build system
• help you identify the benefits of each installer’s proposed plan
• answer any questions you may have during the installation process
• perform a final site visit to ensure the installation was completed according to plan.

We provide these services only to our members (get your $100 lifetime membership here), and require a $300 deposit to complete the initial custom project design used to secure installation bids. At the project’s completion, the installer bills you directly, including an 8% charge for the Co-op’s services. 

Why Go Solar?

• Save money
• Build resilience
• Take control
• Cut pollution
• Grow community

Want To Learn More? 

Fill out the form below. We’ll set up a time to meet with you and create a solar plan that works for your needs.

What Does The Process Look Like?

• An initial phone call to assess your solar needs
• Establish a plan together and identify any grants available for your project
• After the deposit is paid, we do a site visit for the proposed project area
• We work with you to create a preliminary design, complete with an economic analysis for you to review and approve
• Once a design is selected, we send out requests for quotes from installers
• We work with you to help identify the system that works best for you and your property
• After the selected installer has finished construction, we perform a final site visit to make sure the installation was completed to your satisfaction according to the final design
• Congratulations, you now have your very own solar array! You’ll see your power bills plummet as you generate electricity for your own use and to feed back to the grid.

At every step along the way, we are there to answer any questions you may have about the installation process.

If you are an installer looking to bid on Solar Way projects, contact our Solar Way Manager at solarway@wascanasolarco-op.com

Wascana Solar Co-operative Solar Way Application Form

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Phone*

Address*

City*

Province

Postal Code

Country

When would you like the system to be operational? (Systems normal take a 4-6 months to become energized)*

Have you applied for Canada Greener Homes Grant and had an Energuide Inspection compeleted?*

Yes

No

Current yearly consumption of power(kWh) - and a breakdown of monthly power consumption if possible*

Budget (if any)

Showing Bus Bar Rating of 125 AMP, and a Main Breaker at 100 AMP

Main breaker amperage, bus bar amp rating in electrical panel (electrical panel model - see photo example above)

Type of project*

Ground Mount (more expensive)

Roof Mount (less expensive)

Current solar knowledge, Net Billing, current SaskPower program. Please briefly describe your familiarity with Solar in Saskatchewan, so we can best assist you.*

Have you had a quote previously done? If so, tell us about it.*

Expectations (simple payback, equipment requests)*

What type of Roof do you have, and how old is it? (shingles, metal, or standing seam)

What is the pitch of your roof?

Put in order what matters most to you in your project:

Most Important First Choice Price Workmanship/Experience Components Contractor Interaction

  Second Choice Price Workmanship/Experience Components Contractor Interaction

  Third Choice Price Workmanship/Experience Components Contractor Interaction

Least Important Fourth Choice Price Workmanship/Experience Components Contractor Interaction

Are as built Engineered drawings available? i.e. floor plan, building drawings*

Yes

No

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