Make an Impact Beyond Financial Returns
Invest in a Sustainable Future with SPICE
SPICE invites you to join our inaugural fundraising offer, presenting a unique opportunity to contribute to renewable energy in Alberta.
Your investment goes beyond financial returns, fostering social and environmental progress. By funding renewable energy projects, you help reduce energy costs for local non-profits, faith groups, First Nations, and other communities, contributing to a healthier environment.
Become an Investor
How Investment Works
Your Path to Ethical Returns
The investment journey with SPICE is straightforward:
- Become a Member: Membership is the first step towards investing.
- Purchase Shares: As a member, you can buy shares for specific projects.
- Fund Solar Projects: The funds raised are used to install solar panels on community buildings.
- Earn Returns: Receive annual returns on your investment throughout the project term.
- Enduring Impact: At the end of the term, the community enjoys a fully paid solar system, while you receive your initial investment back.
Eligibility for Investment
Who Can Join Our Investment Community?
Investment with SPICE is open to members who meet certain criteria under the Alberta Securities Commission’s prospectus exemptions. These include:
- Employees and consultants of the cooperative
- Family, close personal friends, and close business associates
- Accredited investors
- Members of the Cooperative
- Self-certified investors
For detailed criteria and more information on prospectus exemptions, please refer to the Alberta Securities Commission website.
Ready to Invest?
FAQs
How can one become a member of SPICE, and what are the benefits?
Anyone who is an individual 18 years or older and not an undischarged bankrupt can apply for a membership with SPICE by simply using our online membership application. In becoming a member, you purchase a Class A membership share for $50, which buys you a lifetime membership with SPICE. Once you are a member, you can participate in shaping the organization and invest into our Share Offerings.
What are the minimum and maximum investment amounts for members?
The current minimum investment in our Class B Investment share Offering is 10 Shares for $100 each, which equals a minimum investment of $1000. There is no defined maximum investment amount per investor, but this Share Offering is capped at $250,000.
What kind of returns can investors expect, and over what time frame?
The term of the investment into Class B Investment Shares is 11 years. Beginning in year 2025 in respect for the 2024 year-end, the Board of Directors will annually declare a dividend which is targeted to be competitive with comparable TSE-Index dividend yield (currently around 3%). Beginning in year four until year eleven, the invested capital will be returned to the investor.
Are investments with SPICE secured or guaranteed in any way?
SPICE shares are not transferable or traded on a recognized stock exchange. For details on our Class B Investment Share Offering and the potential risks in investing, please contact us directly to receive and we will send you our exhaustive Offering Information.
Can members invest in specific projects, or are investments pooled?
At this time in the Class B Share Offering, investments are pooled and released into projects the Board of Directors has decided to pursue. We are planning to add the option to invest into a different Share Classes dedicated to specific projects in the future.
How does SPICE manage the funds invested by its members?
The money our investors invest with us is held in trust until we have developed a Community Solar project and raised sufficient funds to realize it. For each project, the Board of Directors conducts a Due Dilligence before granting approval and releasing the funds to build and operate the Solar system for the Community partner.
What happens to an investor's contribution if a project does not go ahead as planned?
If we are not successful in finding communities to partner with for new projects, or potential projects proof to be not viable for various reasons or if we are not able to raise sufficient funds to realize a project, the investment held in trust will be returned to the investors.
Are there any tax benefits or incentives for investing in SPICE?
At this time we do not offer RRSP eligible Investments or other tax benefits for our investors. We are working on implementing this in the future.
How can members be involved in the decision-making process of SPICE?
As a cooperative, we are working democratically. Every member is invited to join our annual general meeting and vote on all issues the Board of Directors presents (for specifics see our Articles and Bylaws). If a member would like to participate in the development of SPICE more directly, it is always an option to run for a position on the Board or volunteer on a committee!
What information will investors receive about the projects they are funding?
We are always sharing as much information as possible about the projects we are funding. While projects are still in the development phase, they will usually not be made public until a Memorandum of Understanding is signed by all project partners.
