Together, we can build
a future powered
by renewable energy.
Who We Are
We are a community of investors with the goal of growing community-based renewable electricity generation in BC by engaging residents and investors in projects that offer financial, social and environmental returns. SolShare Energy is a subsidiary of Vancouver Renewable Energy Co-operative.
Our History
After installing solar systems across BC for more than ten years, Vancouver Renewable Energy Co-op (VREC) began exploring the idea of a community owned solar energy project in 2006.
We wanted to make owning solar energy systems more accessible. Some people wanted to own solar but couldn’t afford the cost of a complete system, didn’t own a house or owned a house but didn’t have a suitable roof. In Europe, thousands of people are owners of renewable energy systems through community co-ops, and we wanted to do something similar here. However, in 2006 it was not economically viable.
As the price of photovoltaic equipment and utility rates changed, we created the framework for BC’s first cooperatively-owned solar energy project. We applied to the BC Utilities Commission in 2014 for an exemption that would allow us to sell electricity to third-party customers. In 2015, we installed our first project and filed documents with the BC Securities commission that would allow us to sell investments to the public. In 2016, we sold our first offering of public shares and our first power plant came online.
Our Team
Rob Baxter
Chief Executive Officer & Founder
SolShare’s Founder and CEO is Rob Baxter. Rob is a co-founder of Vancouver Renewable Energy where he has provided consulting and project management services for renewable energy systems. He has been in the solar energy industry since 2004, and helped initiate and complete the first grid-tie photovoltaic installation in the city of Vancouver. Prior to that, he owned an IT consulting firm that worked with clients across North America.
He has been an active member of BC Sustainable Energy Association, a board member of Society Promoting Environmental Conservation, and taught a course on solar energy for Langara College Continuing Studies. Rob has an MBA from the University of Western Ontario. He has also completed photovoltaic training at BCIT, and ISO 14001 auditing courses accredited by IEMA and ANSI-RAB.
Rob has appeared on CityTV, Global TV, CTV and CBC, discussing sustainability and energy issues. He has also spoken at regional green building conferences.
Tara Burke
Bookkeeper
She has volunteered as a mentor with Stardale Womens Organization and Urban Native Youth Association
Board of Directors & Advisors
Maureen Cureton
Director
Early in her career in business and sustainability, Maureen managed the development of an organic recycling technology. Later she was a Project Manager at Rocky Mountain Institute—a world-renowned ‘think tank’ on market-based solutions for sustainability. Since then she’s worked with hundreds of impact ventures, and managed Vancity’s Energy & Environment portfolio. This included energy-efficiency, and renewables projects. Co-author of 3 books on sustainability, Maureen’s taught business and sustainability courses for UBC, Royal Roads University, BCIT and others. She holds an MBA, an undergraduate degree in Natural Resource and Environmental Management, and completed Solar Energy International’s Renewable Energy certificate.
Devon Kraan
Director
He has also worked for Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. Devon is a graduate of the UBC Sauder School of Business.
Carol Anne Hilton
Advisor
Carol Anne Hilton, MBA is the CEO of Transformation International an award winning Social and Economic development company. Carol Anne is a recognized leading First Nation’s business entrepreneur with an international Masters Degree in Business Management (MBA) from the University of Hertfordshire, England. Carol Anne is from the Nuu chah nulth Nation on Vancouver Island.
Carol Anne was recently appointed as a senior advisor to the Federal Finance Minister on the Canadian Economic Growth Council. Carol Anne currently serves on the Canadian Community Economic Development Network Board and has recently been appointed to the McGill University Institute of Canadian Studies. Carol Anne has served as Director on the Vancouver Island Investment Fund, the World Fisheries Trust, the Victoria Community Micro Lending Society, Community Social Planning Council, the First Nations Health Authority and served for 9 years on Council of Hesquiaht First Nation.
Former Directors
Gord Kukec
Board of directors
Gord is an independent board director with extensive experience as a corporate officer focused on innovation for multiple public corporations and diverse industries. In addition to SolShare, Gord currently serves as Lead Independent Director of Nano One Materials as well as Director of BC Ferries Services, Intelligent City and Jericho Tennis Club. Gord is the former President and Chair of BC Sustainable Energy Association. With degrees and certifications in business, governance, sustainability, renewable energy and cybersecurity, Gord is focused on how organizations and their communities adapt to emerging environmental and technological developments.
Bruno Lam
Board of directors
Bruno is the Research Manager at UBC Sauder Centre for Social Innovation & Impact Investing and Program Manager at the HSBC Social Innovation Academy. He works on applied impact investing research projects with impact investors with a focus on cleantech venture capital and climate finance. Previously, he has contributed to piloting Income Share Agreements to finance higher education in Ghana with Brighter Investment. Bruno is a graduate of UBC’s Sauder School of Business with a B.Com (Hons.) in finance and sustainability.
David VanSeters
Board of directors
David has worked as an environmental business consultant for KPMG (National Environmental Practice Leader) and Golder Associates (Global Sustainable Development Technical Community Leader). He also worked as a senior business executive and entrepreneur, having founded or taken a leadership role in more than a half dozen environmental businesses. These have included an organic food delivery service, a building energy efficiency company, an electric bicycle company, a building energy financing company, and a community crowdfunding platform.
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