Solar systems pioneer, Enphase Energy, has unveiled its latest microinverter - a product that it hopes will help the firm carve out a deeper niche within Canada’s solar energy market. The development of these microinverters allows Enphase Energy to take advantage of Ontario’s Domestic Content requirement, which in turn, makes it easier for solar panel installers and power producers to use Enphase Energy’s products when qualifying for the Ontario Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) Program.
In the first year of manufacturing, Enphase Energy plans on producing over 500,000 microinverters for Canadian’s solar industry; however the company is hoping to double this output quickly in order to satisfy anticipated demand for 2011. “We’re excited to support Ontario’s forward-looking and bold initiative to broaden solar adoption and create highly skilled green jobs,” said Enphase Energy CEO, Paul Nahi. “Together with Flextronics, our global manufacturing partner, Enphase is proud to support Ontario’s clean energy goals.”
Enphase Energy is poised for substantial growth, not only because of Ontario’s generous environmental legislation but also because of the high quality of its inverters, which, according to Enphase Energy, yields 5% to 25% greater energy yield plus increased system reliability.
Ontario‘s Solar Industry on the Rise
Ontario is fast becoming a leader in green energy, as evidenced by its legislation, FIT incentives, and proliferation of training academies for qualified solar panel installers. Combined effectively, such initiatives could help Ontario secure equal footing with more established solar markets like California’s or Spain’s. Ontario Solar Academy‘s Director of Communications, Austin Brentley, remarks on the growing interest from nearly all corners of the province. “Yesterday solar was an improbable fad. Now we receive tons of requests for our solar panel installation training. It seems like everyone in Ontario wants to become more involved.”
For many in the region, solar energy still remains an elusive and mysterious technology. However, with new incentives, shrinking payback periods, and aggressive marketing, Ontario’s solar trickle could indeed become a flood. Already, CanSIA has determined that the current industry is ill equipped to handle anticipated demand in the next few years, suggesting that it is the supply-side of the business that will most limit growth. Although oddly enough, the usual culprits (economics and pricing) may not be responsible this time around. Rather, solar industry labour shortages across Canada threaten to slow the market’s growth - and this during a global recession marked by rising unemployment.
