Trec Renewable Energy Co-Op

What Trec Renewable Energy Co-Op does

TREC Renewable Energy Co-operative is a Toronto-based non-profit cooperative that acts as the umbrella organization for community-owned renewable energy development in Ontario, Canada. Founded in 1998 and headquartered at 192 Spadina Ave, TREC provides Community Investor Management Services — back-office investor record-keeping, securities processing, corporate-action administration, interest/dividend processing, tax voucher processing, bond and share production, financial administration, and bookkeeping — to a network of renewable energy co-ops, Indigenous communities, municipalities, and social enterprises. TREC founded and continues to support several sub-brands and partner projects including SolarShare (Canada's leading renewable energy co-operative developing PV systems in Ontario), WindShare (Canada's first wind power co-operative and partner in the urban wind turbine at Exhibition Place), Relay Education (a renewable-energy education charity, formerly TREC Education), and Tapestry Community Capital (a non-profit co-op supporting community investment across multiple sectors including co-working and social enterprise).

The organization's business model is structured as professional-services and managed-services fees rather than commodity revenue: it monetizes through back-office administration contracts with member co-ops and through facilitation of Community Bonds in partnership with Tapestry Community Capital, which has supported capital raises such as the Centre for Social Innovation's $4.3M raise from 227 investors. TREC also generates research revenue and grant funding by producing original policy reports — including "The Power of Community" and the "Evolving Business Models for Renewable Energy Co-operatives" series — commissioned by bodies such as Co-ops and Mutuals Canada, IESO, and Chiefs of Ontario. Pricing is not publicly disclosed, and individual investment returns are set by member co-ops (e.g., SolarShare offerings up to 6% interest, CED Co-op 5-year bonds at 6.13%).

The go-to-market motion is community-led and regionally concentrated in Ontario: TREC engages prospective co-op and non-profit clients through its website, blog, newsletter, social channels (Facebook, X), and events such as Green Energy Doors Open, and grows through referrals via partner organizations including the Federation of Community Power Co-operatives (24 member co-ops that have collectively raised over $84M from members). The organization supports an ecosystem that includes 7,000+ Ontarian members of renewable energy co-ops and has contributed to community, First Nations, or Métis participation in 850+ MW of wind, solar, and hydro projects across Canada, representing 13% of Ontario's renewable energy projects with a community-ownership component.

Name

Trec Renewable Energy Co-Op

Legal name

TREC Renewable Energy Co-operative

Website

https://trec.on.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

TREC Renewable Energy Co-Op is a Toronto-based non-profit cooperative that provides back-office investor management, Community Bonds facilitation, and policy research to renewable energy co-ops, Indigenous communities, and social enterprises across Ontario.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Renewable Energy Cooperative Services

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

ESG, Sustainability Reporting & Compliance (BPAEAPAM)

Keywords

• Community-owned renewable energy
• Cooperative energy development
• Back-office investor services
• Community power advocacy
• Renewable energy research

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Community Investor Management Services: TREC provides essential financial administration, community securities management, and record-keeping services to co-ops and non-profit organizations. Since 2011, their Community Investor Management Services team has been providing back-office services including investor management, securities processing, and corporate actions.
2. Community Bonds facilitation: TREC helps social enterprises turn their social capital into financial capital with Community Bonds, in partnership with Tapestry Community Capital.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

TREC is a non-profit co-operative umbrella organization that provides back-office Community Member & Investment Services — investor management, securities processing, corporate actions, financial administration and record-keeping — to renewable energy co-ops, Indigenous communities, social enterprises, municipalities and non-profits in Ontario. It also incubates community-owned renewable energy projects (SolarShare, WindShare, Relay Education, Tapestry Community Capital) and produces original research and policy advocacy to advance community power in Canada.

Product overview

TREC is an umbrella non-profit co-operative organization providing community member and investment services to renewable energy co-ops, Indigenous communities, and social enterprises across Ontario. The organization operates several community power projects including SolarShare (solar PV systems), WindShare (wind power), and Relay Education (energy literacy), while also providing back-office administrative services including investor management, securities processing, and corporate actions. Tapestry Community Capital extends support to co-ops and non-profits in raising community investment capital. TREC also conducts original research on community power models and renewable energy policy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Community Member & Investment Services Back-office financial administration and record-keeping services for co-ops and non-profit organizations, including investor management, securities processing, corporate actions, interest/dividend processing, tax voucher processing, bond/share production, financial administration and bookkeeping. Available to renewable energy co-ops, Indigenous communities, social enterprises, municipalities and non-profits developing community-owned energy projects.
• Community Power Research & Reports Original research reports on renewable energy co-operatives, community power business models and policy recommendations to advance community-owned renewable energy in Ontario. Includes 'The Power of Community' report and the 'Evolving Business Models for Renewable Energy Co-operatives' series (partnerships, solar and storage, energy efficiency).
• SolarShare Canada's leading renewable energy co-operative that develops PV (photovoltaic) renewable energy systems across Ontario, offering community investment opportunities with returns up to 6% interest. Founded and supported by TREC as a flagship community power project.
• WindShare An innovative wind power co-operative and joint partner in Canada's premier urban wind turbine located at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario. Founded and supported by TREC.
• Relay Education A Canadian charity providing interactive renewable energy education through tailored programs to youth and communities, with a mission to build a world powered by 100% renewable energy. Founded by TREC (formerly branded as TREC Education).
• Tapestry Community Capital A non-profit co-op that supports other co-ops and non-profits in raising and managing community investment across multiple sectors, from renewable energy to co-working. TREC partners with Tapestry to deliver Community Bonds.

Quantifiable outcome

• Every $1 invested in community power projects results in over $2 in economic activity
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Tapestry Community CapitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTapestry Community Capital is a non-profit co-op that supports other co-ops and non-profits in raising and managing community investment. TREC helps social enterprises turn their social capital into financial capital with Community Bonds in partnership with Tapestry.
• IESO (Independent Electricity System Operator)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIESO provided support for TREC's research reports on 'Evolving Business Models for Renewable Energy Co-operatives' including reports on partnerships, solar and storage, and energy efficiency.
• SolarSharecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanada's leading renewable energy co-operative developing PV renewable energy systems across Ontario. TREC founded and supports SolarShare as one of its flagship projects.
• WindSharecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovative wind power co-operative, the first of its kind in Canada, and joint partner in Canada's premier urban wind turbine located at Exhibition Place in Toronto.
• Relay EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeader in renewable energy education, providing interactive energy education through tailored programs to youth and communities. A Canadian charity whose mission is to build a world powered by 100% renewable energy.
• Co-ops and Mutuals CanadamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioned TREC to write the 'Accelerating Renewable Energy Co-operatives in Canada' report outlining the current state of community energy co-ops, financial and policy tools, and policy recommendations.
• Chiefs of OntariomajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with TREC to prepare an energy literacy report to inform, assist and inspire First Nations communities in navigating the energy sector complexities.
• Ontario Sustainable Energy AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost of Green Energy Doors Open annual event highlighting sustainable energy projects across Ontario.
• CanWEA (Canadian Wind Energy Association)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCanadian Wind Energy Association, the voice of Canada's wind energy industry. TREC publishes guest posts from CanWEA on wind energy topics.
• CanSIAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational trade association representing the solar energy industry throughout Canada. TREC publishes guest content related to solar energy co-ops.
• Clean Air PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with TREC on presentations about sustainable energy initiatives and community energy plans.
• FCPC (Federation of Community Power Co-operatives)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederation of 24 community power co-operatives that TREC supports and collaborates with on research and advocacy efforts.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Tapestry Community Capital: Non-profit co-op that supports other co-ops and non-profits in raising and managing community investment. TREC helps facilitate Community Bonds in partnership with Tapestry, making it a closely tied peer in the same community finance model.
• CoPower: Canadian clean energy co-operative financing renewable energy projects through community investments. Direct peer using a co-operative model for clean energy finance in Canada.
• WindShare: Innovative wind power co-operative and TREC-founded sub-brand operating Canada's premier urban wind turbine at Exhibition Place, Toronto. Direct peer in the community-owned wind co-op space.
• Clean Air Partnership: Toronto-based non-profit working on climate change mitigation and sustainable community energy, with a co-presented relationship with TREC. Peer in the Ontario community sustainability and energy policy space.
• Centre for Social Innovation: Toronto non-profit community of social innovators and a TREC customer (raised $4.3M via community bond with TREC support). Peer in the non-profit community capital and social enterprise ecosystem.
• Federation of Community Power Co-operatives (FCPC): Federation of 24 community power co-operatives that TREC helps coordinate. As a peer federation of co-ops, FCPC is directly comparable in mission and membership model to TREC.
• SolarShare: Canada's leading renewable energy co-operative developing PV systems across Ontario and a TREC-founded sub-brand. It is a direct community-owned solar co-op using the same community bond model that TREC supports.
• Relay Education (TREC Education): Canadian charity providing interactive renewable energy education, formerly TREC Education and a TREC-founded sub-brand. Peer in the community energy education and engagement space.

Broad incumbents

• Bullfrog Power: Canada's largest renewable energy retailer offering green electricity and natural gas to homes and businesses. A broader incumbent in Canadian renewable energy, comparable in category but operating as a commercial retail supplier rather than a co-op.
• Vancity Credit Union: Canadian values-based credit union with a strong sustainability mandate and renewable energy financing programs. Comparable as a larger financial cooperative pursuing community and environmental impact in Canada.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TRECoop
• Facebookfacebook.com/TRECCoop
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/trec-renewable-energy-co-operative

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Trec Renewable Energy Co-Op