SaskPower has launched a revamped version of the ‘net-metering’ program, but solar companies say it will kill a growing industry.

The new net-metering program is scheduled to launch Nov. 1. It will allow SaskPower customers to generate their own electricity with solar panels and receive credit for any excess they generated on the provincial grid.

Under the updated program, customers will still be able to offset their energy use at their retail rate while their systems are generating. Any excess energy sent to the grid will be credited at 7.5 cents/kWh against the customer’s energy charge. This is about half of what the previous iteration of the program paid. SaskPower says the price reflects the average cost of energy for 2020 and 2021.