Niagara Sunrise

As a construction consultant and electrical contractor, Luciano Di Leonardo is accustomed to structural challenges and electrical applications. He is also no stranger to renewable energy given that his Niagara- and Wentworth-based firm, DiLeonardo Construction Ltd and LDM Electrical Contractors, is located in one of America’s oldest “green” hotspots. This distinction dates back to the 1850s when the Niagara Falls Hydraulic Power and Mining Company first began laying hydropower infrastructure around the falls.

Di Leonardo’s custom home building, renovation, and electrical firm has a sizeable base of “green” clients looking for sustainable solutions for their residential and commercial properties. However, in recent years, the nature of incoming projects has evolved, often pushing the boundaries of even Di Leonardo’s expertise. He never imagined that a region renown for its hydroelectricity would take to solar energy with such enthusiasm. Wanting to gain the skills necessary to fulfill many of these incoming solar requests, Di Leonardo signed up for Ontario Solar Academy‘s PV design and installation training.

According to Di Leonardo, the 5-day intensive class provided him with the tools and confidence to establish a more permanent foothold in the solar industry. Within weeks of graduating, he launched two new companies. One, SolarHarvest Power Corporation Ltd, is dedicated to the design, installation, and sale of solar PV projects that qualify for feed-in-tariff (FIT) and microFIT status. The other, SunHarvest Solar, manages investment group leasing and larger installations on solar farms and other commercial properties.

When asked about the timing of these two launches, Di Leonardo explains that, “I wanted to provide my clients with a broader range of options and be able to inform them of their solar options.” He adds, “the hands-on training I received and contacts I made through Ontario Solar Academy opened my eyes to the many potential opportunities in this new market.”

Fortunately for Di Leonardo, developing these potential opportunities need not be a solo journey. While taking the 5-day solar training, he learned of two additional resources (Ontario Solar Network and Ontario Solar Solutions) to help him grow his businesses in the coming years.

Ontario Solar Network

Originally formed as an alumni group for recent graduates of the 5-day solar training, Ontario Solar Network is growing into a larger community of solar professionals. It exists to facilitate group purchasing, grassroots activism, networking, and career development. According to David Gower, Associate Director of Ontario Solar Academy and founding member of Ontario Solar Network, “one of [the Network's] primary goals is to help our members take full advantage of the province’s generous solar incentives.”

Ontario Solar Solutions

Ontario Solar Solutions provides consulting, design, procurement, and project management services for larger, more complicated installations - services that could prove beneficial as Di Leonardo grows his SunHarvest Solar business. Gower explains that, “Ontario Solar Solutions provides the technical and administrative support necessary to help installers like [Di Leonardo] focus on their core business of developing projects and providing installation services to their clients.

Services like the ones offered by Di Leonardo, Ontario Solar Solutions, and Ontario Solar Network will be coming increasingly important as the province’s solar industry continues to evolve. Within the space of just a few years, the Ontario has welcomed the Green Energy Act, feed-in-tariff incentives, and a number of large installations. However, the excitement generated by these announcements is often tempered by confusion as to their exact applicability.

Both Ontario Solar Network and Ontario Solar Solutions hope to resolve this by bringing greater cohesion and transparency to the industry. “With the training, networking, and support offered through these services, I remain confident in my business’ ability to expand rapidly” concludes Di Leonardo.