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Watt’s New at OREC

Image showing three versions of the OREC Membership Share Certificate: 'Holly', 'Dreidel', and 'Crescent & Star' designs for holiday gifting.

🎁 Give the Gift of a Lifetime: Save 25% on Membership Through December 31st!

Give the Gift of a Lifetime for Just $75! This year, let your gift power a greener future. For a limited time, get 25% off an OREC Lifetime Membership for a child, grandchild, or loved one. Offer ends December 31st!

John Kirkwood

3 days ago2 min read

A festive, energy-efficient home on a winter night, illustrating the 'Co-op Night Before Christmas' poem. Features solar panels, an EV charging station, a smart meter, and LED holiday lights, symbolizing renewable community power.

’Twas the Night Before Peak Rates (A Renewable Romp!)

’Twas the night before the bill arrived, and all through the house, Not a creature was stirring, not even a Wi-Fi mouse. The smart plugs were nestled by the fireplace with care, In hopes that the peak rates wouldn’t make us despair.

Humour

John Kirkwood

Dec 12 min read

Illustration of a modern neighborhood powered by distributed energy resources (DERs), featuring rooftop solar panels and community battery storage connected to a local grid.

A Fair Deal for Distributed Energy: The New Economic Model for Community Power

Discover how the IESO and OEB's new framework recognizes Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) as essential infrastructure. OREC breaks down what the shift to Non-Wires Solutions and the 'value stack' means for community power in Ontario.

Advocacy

John Kirkwood

Dec 14 min read

A side-by-side illustration contrasting a large, centralized nuclear power plant with long transmission lines (left) against a sunny, resilient neighborhood with rooftop solar panels and local battery storage units (right).

Guess What? Your Ontario Electricity Bill and Taxes are Going Up — Again!

Despite taxpayers footing a potential $10B bill for the Ontario Electricity Rebate (OER), electricity prices are still soaring by over 28% on average. OREC analyzes the latest OEB rate increases and why this unsustainable subsidy encourages consumption.

Dick Bakker

Nov 33 min read

A grid of OREC members and Board Directors

Join OREC’s Board of Directors for 2025-26

Join OREC's Board of Directors! We are seeking 1-2 volunteer Directors for the 2025-26 term to help lead Ontario's most successful community energy co-operative. If you have expertise in finance, engineering, or advocacy, and are passionate about community-owned renewables, we want to hear from you. Express your interest by Nov. 15th.

John Kirkwood

Oct 272 min read

An illustration of a Battery Electric Storage System (BESS) providing benefits to the community.

The Battery Challenge: Why Ontario’s Best Idea for Local Energy Is Still Looking for a Home.

At OREC, we’ve pioneered solar rooftops and ground-level installations for years — now we’re stepping into new territory with a community-scale battery energy storage system. Despite broad recognition of its value, Ontario’s regulatory system still hasn’t cleared the path for one.

John Kirkwood

Oct 243 min read

The house is burning down. But it's fine.

Top 5 Sayings to Retire Before the Planet Does 😂

I’ve realized my vocabulary is still running on fumes. "Firing on all cylinders” once made sense — now it just sounds... burnt-out. Here are my top 5 carbon-clunkers to retire before the planet does.

Opinion

John Kirkwood

Oct 232 min read

Photo of participants at CECC's Annual General Meeting in Victoria, August 2025.

From Coast to Coast: Uniting Canada’s Community Energy Co-ops

Learn about the growth of the national association of renewable energy co‑ops across the country, its forums & projects, and how to get involved in shaping Canada’s community energy future.

Advocacy

Dennis O'Farrell

Oct 223 min read

A housing community with rooftop solar panels and electric vehicles being charged below

Power to the People: Fixing Ontario’s Energy Market

Ontario’s energy system isn’t working. Planners cling to “big” projects while communities wait. At OREC, small, local renewable projects prove that residents can invest, earn a return, and help power their own future. It’s time Ontario embraced community energy — cleaner, smarter, and closer to home. Opinion by Graham Findlay, OREC volunteer

Opinion

Graham Findlay

Oct 213 min read

Investment Offering Update: Series 11 Almost Sold Out!

OREC’s 2025 capital raise is nearly complete! Thanks to our members’ support, we’ve close to meeting our target of $1.5 M. See where we stand and what’s next.

John Kirkwood

Sep 251 min read

CWCF Launches New User Portal: What OREC Members Need to Know

The Canadian Worker Co-op Federation (CWCF)—OREC’s partner for managing RRSPs, TFSAs, and other registered accounts—has launched a new...

Investing

John Kirkwood

Sep 252 min read

A young modern couple looking at a laptop smiling while they relax on their deck. Behind them is a view of what looks like a tropical forest.

Taking OREC Online: What We Learned from Our First Ad Campaign

OREC’s recent Facebook and Instagram ad trial reached nearly 40,000 people at low cost, driving strong clicks to our website. While fewer visitors became members or investors than hoped, the campaign highlighted ways to improve landing pages and refine our approach. Next, we’ll expand to Google and YouTube ads to connect more Ontarians with local renewable energy.

Paul Haskins

Sep 232 min read

Illustration of people on a digital path with comment balloons over their heads looking towards a floating brain lit up like a lightbulb

Building a Better OREC: What You Shared in Our 2025 Membership & Investment Survey

OREC is listening to our members - and even nonmembers - about what how we can improve for the better. At OREC, our mission is to build a...

John Kirkwood

Sep 222 min read

A community on a sunny day where every housing unit has a solar roof

Could A Federal Rooftop Solar Program Transform Canada? You bet.

As an emergency physician, OREC member Dr. Nicolas Chagnon sees the health impacts of heat waves and wildfire smoke firsthand. He argues that rooftop solar—paired with battery storage—shouldn’t be a luxury for a few, but a nationwide strategy to cut costs, boost resilience, create jobs, advance Reconciliation, and help Canada meet its climate goals.

Opinion

Nicolas Chagnon

Sep 193 min read

Hands raised in a community meeting with a projection screen showing wind turbines and solar panels, symbolizing democratic participation in energy policy

Advancing Community-Owned Renewable Energy in Ontario

OREC has made recommendations to the province for advancing community-owned renewable energy and storage. This post highlights ten key policy and regulatory changes needed in 2025 — from expanding net metering and community solar, to ensuring public and co-op participation in large-scale renewable projects.

Advocacy

Roger Peters

Aug 2710 min read

We're Ready — Are You? Invest in Green Energy Today

After nearly a year, OREC is back with our biggest investment opportunity yet. Help fund Eastern Ontario’s largest rooftop solar array—and more clean energy projects to come.

Investing