Dave Ogilvie
Last September, the Ontario government announced the introduction of a new MicroFIT program—a streamlined, user-friendly version of the FIT program for individuals, small businesses, and communities.
FIT, which stands for ‘Feed-in Tariff,” is North America’s first comprehensive guaranteed pricing structure for renewable electricity production by local producers.
It offers stable prices under long-term contracts for energy generated from renewable sources, such as biomass, biogas, landfill gas, and on-shore and off-shore wind, solar photovoltaic (PV), and water power.
The new MicroFIT program encourages the development of small-scale renewable energy (10 kilowatts or less) from a diverse range of producers, including homeowners, schools, farmers, and small businesses.
This unique program quickly has created a great deal of interest across the province, attracting more than 2,200 applications from interested groups and individuals.
The choice of generation by most people, so far, is solar photovoltaic.
Since Dec. 16, some 700 Ontarians from all areas of the province have received the green light for various sizes of roof-top solar projects.
Jim Creeggan, the bass player for the band “Barenaked Ladies,” is one of the more well-known Ontarians who already have joined the “green” energy movement.
“It’s a thrill to be able to power my own lights while, at the same time, contributing to my city’s electrical needs,” Creeggan enthused recently.
“Now that the MicroFIT program is up and running, it makes solar a realistic option for more households,” he noted. “With enough homeowners on board, communities will have a greater impact on where our power is coming from.
“I’m glad solar power is getting out of the fringe and into the mainstream,” Creeggan added.
Energy and Infrastructure minister Gerry Phillips said the new MicroFIT program literally brings power to the people.
“It allows homeowners, farmers, schools, and ‘Mom and Pop’ businesses to help power our future and get paid for it while investing in a new era of ‘green collar’ jobs and expertise,” Phillips explained.
Under the Green Energy Act, the province will be able to eliminate dirty coal-fired generation by the end of 2014.
The government also hopes, in the process, to create 50,000 “green collar” jobs.
The Ontario Power Authority estimates the initial MicroFIT projects will generate more than $5 billion in investments in manufacturing, design, construction, and engineering and lead to the creation of thousands of new jobs in the province.
The program also will stimulate the local economy due to the fact all alternate energy products for this year have to be 40 percent Ontario content, rising to 60 percent next year, and that all labour must be from Ontario.
As part of the MicroFIT program, any one or any group that produces energy will be paid a guaranteed price of $0.80/kWh for the electricity their solar project produces for a period of at least 20 years.
Based on this rate, the smallest solar panel system available from a local supplier, which lists at $15,589, will produce $2,976 worth of electricity per year and pay for itself in 5.2 years.
Larger systems, which cost as much as $59,033, produce substantially more electricity but also pay for themselves in roughly the same period of time.
To be eligible for a MicroFIT contract, the generator must be renewable, have its own meter, be capable of being connected to a local distribution grid, and have a manufacturer’s total installed rated capacity of 10 kW or less.
Interest in the MicroFIT program is spreading quickly across Rainy River District, with schools, churches, community organizations, and many individuals all expressing an interest in applying for a contract with the OPA.
With anything new comes an abundance of questions and a certain amount of skepticism.
Answers and information about renewable energy, as well as the MicroFIT program, can be found at many of the OPA’s websites.
Anyone considering the development of a renewable energy project may find the following links helpful: the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure Renewable Energy Information Centre (www.mei.gov.on.ca/en/energy/renewable) and The Renewable Energy Facilitation Office (www.ontario.ca/renewableenergyprojects).
Local installers are more than willing to answer all questions, give interested residents a free estimate, and also guide them through the application and installation process.
With the increased interest in protecting the environment, now seems the time to consider the benefits of generating “green” energy from renewable sources.
By becoming part of the MicroFIT program, you can contribute to Ontario’s growing “green” energy movement, make money, and help create a cleaner environment.
