SolarShare 2026 SolarBonds

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2026 SolarBonds Are Coming Soon

After much anticipation, we’re thrilled to share that starting January 2026, SolarShare will once again open its popular SolarBond program to new members.

This is an exciting moment for solar. It is now the cheapest and fastest-growing source of electricity in human history. But beyond the technology, community solar organizations like SolarShare challenge the traditional energy model by decentralizing both ownership and trust.

Our mission is to democratize access to clean energy — returning the wealth generated by the sun back to Ontario communities in the form of locally produced power, and to our members through earned interest.

Join us in building a better future.

 

What is SolarShare? You are SolarShare

SolarShare is an Ontario-based, non-profit co-operative, 100% owned by our community of 2,000 members. Anyone in Ontario can become an owner, member, and investor by purchasing a SolarBond.

But don’t let the warm and fuzzy language fool you, this is real impact. By installed solar capacity, SolarShare is one of the largest dedicated community-owned solar generation co-operatives in the Western Hemisphere. Globally, most community energy co-ops never exceed 1–5 MW of total generation. Reaching ~15 MW while remaining fully community-owned is rare, and it’s only possible because our members are investing together in  better energy, cleaner communities, and a brighter future.

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What is a SolarBond?

A SolarBond is an investment in SolarShare’s portfolio of 51 solar photovoltaic (PV) systems across Ontario. With a $1,000 minimum investment, Solar Bonds offer up to 4.0% fixed interest and are available to any retail investor or business in the province.

Today, access to energy is still largely controlled by those with financial capital. Our economy tends to overvalue financial returns while undervaluing human, social, and natural capital. Nature offers a different model. In healthy ecosystems, value is shared across many forms of capital, resilience comes from interdependence, and relationships are built on reciprocity rather than extraction. Meaningful change happens when we work together.

In the conventional energy system, utilities refer to the people who pay for electricity as “ratepayers.” That language matters. It reflects a system designed around compliance, not choice, participation, or trust. We believe energy users should be treated as participants and partners, not passive payers.

A trustworthy energy system is reliable, affordable, and clean. It improves public health, strengthens communities, and keeps wealth local. We don’t fully have that system yet but we can build it.

The first step? Invest in a SolarBond and become part of SolarShare.

15 Years of Impact

  2000 Community Members

  ~500 tonnes CO₂e avoided annually

  17 million kWh of locally generated, pollution-free power

  Cleaner air in Ontario communities 

  $53,806,042 in revenue generated

Join SolarShare

"By installed solar capacity, SolarShare is one of the largest dedicated community-owned solar generation co-operatives in the Western Hemisphere."

Flexible Terms

SolarBonds are available in 3–7 year terms to match your investment timeline. All SolarShare SolarBonds mature within existing contracts with the Province, ensuring reliable and predictable revenue streams throughout the full term of your investment. You can read the full Offering Statement here.

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3-Year

  • 4% Annual Return
  • Members become owners of SolarShare
  • Simple interest paid twice a year
  • 100% of proceeds generated by solar power

Your investment is secured by SolarShare’s assets and stable revenue stream, backed by 20-year contracts with the province.

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4-Year

  • 4% Annual Return
  • Members become owners of SolarShare
  • Simple interest paid twice a year
  • 100% of proceeds generated by solar power

Your investment is secured by SolarShare’s assets and stable revenue stream, backed by 20-year contracts with the province.

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5-Year

  • 4% Annual Return
  • Members become owners of SolarShare
  • Simple interest paid twice a year
  • 100% of proceeds generated by solar power

Your investment is secured by SolarShare’s assets and stable revenue stream, backed by 20-year contracts with the province.

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7-Year

  • 4% Annual Return
  • Members become owners of SolarShare
  • Simple interest paid twice a year
  • 100% of proceeds generated by solar power
  • *Early redemption fee is waived after year 4

Your investment is secured by SolarShare’s assets and stable revenue stream, backed by 20-year contracts with the province.

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Members Stories

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"I met with an ethical financial advisor. He recommended SolarShare as one part of my portfolio. It’s a win-win; you get to help the transition to a greener economy and you get a pretty great return at the same time."

- Felix Whitton, Senior Program and Engagement Lead at Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation

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"Embrace the power of creative disruption."

- Paul Cassel, Founder and President of Up Marketing

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"I like knowing the money I invested goes towards something I truly believe in."

- Maya Shapiro, Anthropologist

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"SolarShare is the democratization of power and renewable energy. This is a community who's building its own power infrastructure and participating in powering the province with clean energy."

- Richard Corley, Partner at Goodmans LLP

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"SolarShare is great because they have a lot of talented people and the experience to operate and run the solar systems. SolarShare keeps money locally. When you invest, your money stays in Ontario and helps the economy of this province."

- Ambrose Raftis, Board Chair at Green Timiskaming Development Co-operative

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"I’m delighted to invest in SolarShare and support their leadership in the urgent transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy."

- Bob Willard, Author

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"Co-ops develop the ability of communities to do things for themselves; you don’t have to wait for a government program. Being a member of co-op and doing this good stuff also empowers you to do other good projects. It doesn’t have to be energy."

- Bill Jones, Co-Chair of TREC Board of Directors

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"I like the fact that Solar Bonds are motivated by a financial benefit as well as a community benefit as well as an environmental benefit. So they’ve got that triple bottom line value, and that means something to me and is worthy of my money."

- Scott Snowden, Principal at Flywheel Strategic

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"Solar Bonds are a great product with a decent return. I invested in line with my values and my belief in a profitable low-carbon economy."

- Christopher Charlesworth, CEO and Co-Founder at HiveWire

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"The way our society and economy is going is not viable. SolarShare is one small component in making it viable. The returns are decent and the people in the community are a pleasure to meet up with from time to time."

- John Liss, Lawyer (retired)

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"SolarShare is one of the few investment vehicles that comes with true hope; you can invest in a lot of other things but you’re not quite sure if they’re going to be good for us in ten or twenty or thirty years—but with solar you can be sure."

- Jim O’Reilly, Member

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"I just had my roof re-roofed and it cost a ton of money to get the solar panels off and put them on again. If you’re interested in contributing to solar energy, the BEST thing to do is give your money to SolarShare and they put panels on somebody else’s roof, which is more profitable and you’ll make a bigger impact."

- Lee Adamson, Toronto Resident

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"At CAPE we advocate for a healthy planet to improve the health of people. Investing in SolarShare allows us to put our money where our mouth is and rest easy knowing that we are living our values by supporting community-owned, clean, healthy, renewable energy."

- Kim Perrotta, Executive Director, CAPE

"The Catherine Donnelly Foundation’s decision to divest from fossil fuels was motivated by a strong financial logic as well as a deep concern for environmental stewardship. Solar Bonds are an appealing investment that comfortably aligns with our environmental focus."

- Jason Dudek, Past Chair, Catherine Donnelly Foundation

"We were pleased to find an investment that offered a good return, good security, and sustainability all in one package!"

- Board of the Ontario Humanist Society

"As a faith-based foundation, ELFEC seeks to uphold the integrity of creation, not its destruction. Investing in SolarShare offers us a double benefit: reduction of our portfolio's carbon footprint as well as a solid financial return."

- Evangelical Lutheran Foundation of Eastern Canada (LFEC)

How it works

  • Jul 14, 2021
    Subscribe to our newsletter to learn of upcoming SolarBonds projects.
  • Jul 14, 2021
    Become a member.

    All SolarShare investors must become members of the co-operative unless they are an organization or business. There is a one-time $40 membership/business investment processing fee that is paid when purchasing SolarBonds for the first time.

  • Jul 14, 2021
    When your SolarBonds mature.

    Investors can choose to have their principal returned or may choose to reinvest in any offerings that may be available at the time.

A Better Return

Buying a SolarShare SolarBond means far more than buying a bond. You're becoming an owner of the co-op, democratizing access to power, and earning a return for doing so, courtesy of the sun.

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Financial

Earn a solid annual return of up to 4.0% fixed interest. Your investment is secured by SolarShare’s portfolio of operating assets and stable, long-term revenue under 20-year contracts with the Province.

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Social

You are part of a united group of over 2,000 members committed to supporting community-driven renewable energy.

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Environmental

Our projects generate more than 17 GWh of clean electricity each year, eliminating approximately 2,200 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually.

Did you know that you can give a gift of a SolarBond in the name of a family member or friend? You can also purchase additional Solar Bonds if you are an existing member or corporate investor.

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FAQ

Solar Bonds are fixed-term debt investments issued by TREC SolarShare Co-operative (No. 1) Inc.. When you purchase a Solar Bond, you are lending money to SolarShare to support its portfolio of operating solar energy projects in Ontario.

In return, SolarShare agrees to pay you a fixed rate of interest and repay your principal at maturity, subject to the terms outlined in the Offering Statement.

Solar Bonds currently offer:

  • 4% simple annual interest

  • Terms of 3, 4, 5, or 7 years

Interest is calculated annually at a fixed rate for the full term of the bond.

Solar Bond proceeds are used primarily to refinance existing Solar Bonds as they mature. This allows SolarShare to:

  • Maintain and Repower Solar Projects 

  • Repay some end-of term bonds, allowing for investor flexibility within the total project life, while still reducing total debt on schedule 

Senior commercial debt remains in place on its original terms and is not refinanced through this offering. Any remaining funds may be used conservatively for short-term financing needs or capital reinvestment, if available.

No. Solar Bonds are not guaranteed.

While SolarShare has a long operating history and stable revenues from fixed-price electricity contracts, there is no guarantee that interest or principal will be paid. Investors should review the Risk Factors section of the Offering Statement carefully.

Solar Bonds are secured by:

  • Mortgages on project leases and owned land

  • Security interests in solar equipment and related assets

However, SolarShare is clear that cash flow from electricity generation — not asset resale — is the primary source of repayment.

 

Solar Bonds rank:

  1. Behind senior commercial lenders

  2. Ahead of unsecured lenders and internal credit facilities

  3. Equally with all other Solar Bonds

This ranking is disclosed clearly in the Offering Statement

 

There is:

  • A $1000 fixed minimum and no maximum

  • The Board may impose limits to ensure broad participation or manage capital needs and may approve any investment over $100k 

 

Solar Bonds:

  • Do not trade on a public market

  • Are generally held until maturity

Transfers may be permitted with Board approval and a small administrative fee (currently $50), provided the transferee is an eligible SolarShare member.

No. Solar Bonds are not eligible for registered accounts under this Offering Statement.

To invest, you must:

  • Be a resident of Ontario at least 16 years of age

  • Become a member of SolarShare (individuals only)

Corporations and organizations may invest but are not eligible for membership.

Investors under 16 may have their bond held by an adult 

SolarShare earns revenue by selling electricity from its solar projects under long-term, fixed-price Feed-in Tariff (FIT) and MicroFIT contracts with Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO).

These contracts reduce exposure to electricity price volatility.

As a not-for-profit co-operative:

  • SolarShare does not distribute profits or dividends

  • Any surplus, after meeting all obligations, is reinvested in renewable energy through the TREC Renewable Energy Fund

If SolarShare were dissolved:

  1. Senior debt would be repaid first

  2. Solar Bondholders would be repaid principal and any unpaid interest

  3. Remaining assets would be transferred to another co-operative or charity

Bondholders do not participate in any further distribution beyond repayment.

All material information — including risks, financial projections, and legal terms — is contained in the Offering Statement, which should be read in full before investing.