In early July, the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) announced that it intends to scale back the prices offered for ground-mounted solar installations under its feed-in-tariff (FIT) program. The purpose of the program is to encourage the growth of Ontario’s solar, wind, biofuel, and hydro industries. It not only helps the environment, but it also creates jobs and puts the province at the forefront of the emerging green economy.

The FIT program gives producers of clean energy twenty-year contracts that guarantee above-market prices for feeding renewable power into the grid. In return, participating projects must source a certain percentage of materials and labour in-province. The highest price, 80.2 cents per kilowatt hour, is currently offered for rooftop and ground-mounted microFIT projects under 10kW. The OPA has received around 16,000 microFIT applications, most of which are for ground-mounted solar installations.

Proposed Changes to Keep Green Economy Sustainable?

The OPA proposes to lower the price offered for power generated by small-scale ground-mounted systems to 58.8 cents/kilowatt hour. While the FIT’s high prices are designed to encourage production of clean energy, the premiums for small rooftop projects are intended to reimburse building owners for the costs of these solar installations. The OPA asserts that ground-mounted projects are cheaper to install and that the prices it offers should reflect the difference. The proposed changes create a pricing scheme for renewable power that, the OPA argues, is more realistic over the long term. Projects already approved will not be affected by the changes, and pricing for all other installations will remain the same.

The proposed changes have the blessing of Ontario’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure. However, stakeholders and citizens were encouraged to attend Webinars on the proposed price changes, hosted July 6 and 8, and have until the end of July to submit their comments to the Power Authority. The OPA will continue to accept all FIT and microFIT applications during this time, but those for ground-mounted systems are on hold pending a final decision.

Town Hall Discussion Scheduled to Bring Stakeholders Together

On July 22, from 7:00 - 9:30 pm, Ontario Solar Network (OSN) will host an open town hall meeting at the Hilton Garden Inn in Vaughan, ON to discuss the Ontario Power Authority’s (OPA) proposed price changes for microFIT projects (under 10kW). Free to the general public, this event will feature leaders in Ontario’s solar industry and Ben Chin, VP Communications, Ontario Power Authority (OPA).

• Click here to register for the Town Hall Meeting
• Click here to read about or sign up for the petition against the change

About Ontario Solar Network
Ontario Solar Network is a non-profit business association comprised of individual solar energy producers, solar businesses, and other stakeholders committed to the highest standards of professionalism.