SES Solar Co-operative Ltd

The Saskatchewan Environmental Society (SES) is dedicated to ensuring that 'all needs are met in sustainable ways'. To that end, the SES wanted to advance renewable energy in Saskatchewan by making it accessible to as many people as possible. The SES developed the idea of the SES Solar Co-operative Ltd., and in December of 2014 they entered a social enterprise, crowd-funding competition by Affinity Credit Union to further this endeavour. Public response to the solar power co-operative was enormous. The Affinity CU competition raised over $100,000, including the $50,000 grand prize. With sustainability at the forefront, the project began to take flight.   Since then, the solar co-op has taken shape. The SES Solar Co-operative Ltd. is considered a consumer co-operative as determined by the Co-operatives Act of 1996. The co-operative has its own legal framework and bylaws. A Board of Directors has been elected to spearhead the co-operative. Members will purchase one common share and one or more preferred shares. Each member owns a portion of the entire operation, rather than one (or more) specific panel(s). With the membership continuing to grow, plans for additional solar power projects have begun.