ATS Automation Tooling Systems, Inc. (ATS) recently announced that a number of its applications for Ontario’s feed-in-tariff program have been approved by the Ontario Power Authority (OPA). This news meshes nicely with ATS’ 2009 promise to leverage its expertise in green technology in order to promote the province’s renewable energy initiatives.
The approvals, totalling about 65 megawatts of renewable power generation through photovoltaic solar panels, will be for large-scale installations, such as solar parks. The pipelined projects will comply with Ontario’s domestic content requirement in which 60% of all equipment and labour must be locally sourced from within the province. Already, ATS operates a one-million square foot photovoltaic module production facility in Cambridge, Ontario, with a workforce of 900 employees.
Partnerships in Green Technology
These projects include a number of joint venture arrangements with other solar partners, although currently, ATS is to maintain 50% ownership of the installations. ATS Chief Executive Officer, Anthony Caputo, has expressed satisfaction with the OPA approvals and has extended an invitation to other stakeholders for possible joint partnerships. “I invite them to collaborate with ATS on advancing their plans,” Caputo adds.
In addition to ATS’ solar proposals, the OPA has also approved an additional 184 other projects under its FIT initiative, totalling about 2,500 megawatts of renewable power generation. The OPA estimates that these additional FIT projects will be able to generate enough clean solar, wind, biomass, and hydro energy to power 600,000 homes. In addition, last month, the OPA green-lit 510 smaller contracts under the province’s microFIT program.
These recent FIT and microFIT approvals will help create new opportunities for landowners, businesses, and homeowners looking to become more involved in renewable power generation - whether for ecological reasons or because of the ROI potential that comes from selling electricity back into the grid.
Solar Energy Classes, Training, and Certification
Solar energy’s horizon looks as promising for career hunters as it does for homeowners and businesses. Programs, like the Ontario Solar Academy, have cropped up throughout the province to offer solar panel installation certification courses to those looking to become more involved. Typically lasting 5 days, these solar energy classes provide graduates with the requisite training to install and maintain photovoltaic systems as certified professionals.
The timing of these new classes could not be more ideal. Because solar energy is a relatively new industry, Ontario lacks much of the infrastructure that traditional energy sectors like oil and gas enjoy. Bringing the province into the 21st century is a job that will require many more solar professionals than currently exist, from solar panel engineers and “green” marketers to PV installers and maintenance technicians. As the OPA continues to approve new solar projects (big and small), demand for and awareness of qualified professionals should both rise accordingly.
