The Final Versions of the FIT and microFIT Program Rules and Contracts are Still Pending
By Nicolas Vanhove – Chronologically clarifying the confusion: The Ontario Power Authority (OPA) began its two-year review of the FIT and microFIT programs back in October 2011 taking into account the ratepayers’ interests and the need to stimulate investments in renewable energies provincewide[1]. They schedule a regular review of these programs every two years with one currently underway. The suspense …
April 24, 2012 Tuesday at 1:46 pm
OPA Announces Biennial FIT/microFIT Program Review
This past Monday, Oct. 31st, the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) announced that the first biennial review of the FIT and microFIT programs was underway. The FIT (Feed-In Tariff) and microFIT programs, where participants are engaged in a 20-year contract with the OPA to be paid for producing clean energy which is re-distributed to the local hydro grid, were launched in …
November 2, 2011 Wednesday at 5:45 pm
Post-Election: Future of Ontario’s FIT Program
Uncertainty surrounding the future of the FIT/MicroFIT program has been removed in great part by the re-election of the McGuinty government. However the FIT program is up for review this month. We may see changes in the tariffs or in eligibility, for example. The chance that major changes will happen is more likely because the Liberals were re-elected one seat …
October 14, 2011 Friday at 3:03 am
How You Can Benefit by Installing Ground- or Pole-Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Systems
Have a large, open, level space of land available on your property? On a farm, for example? This may present a very good opportunity for you to install a ground- or pole-mounted solar PV system, and benefit from Ontario’s FIT or MicroFIT program! Solar panels can be mounted upon a racking system at the ground (ballasted or penetrating), or pole-mounted. …
October 12, 2011 Wednesday at 2:43 am
Act NOW: Profiting with Solar Energy in Ontario
Politics Determining the Future of OPA and FIT/MicroFIT Programs The 40th provincial election in Ontario is to take place on Oct. 6th, 2011. There has been some question as to the future of the OPA and the FIT and MicroFIT programs depending on the results of this election. Support as shown by recent polls seems to fluctuate between the Liberal …
September 30, 2011 Friday at 2:26 am
An Introduction to Ontario’s MicroFIT Program
Ontario Power Authority: The FIT and MicroFIT Programs The FIT Program was created through the Green Energy and Green Economy Act, 2009 (May 14, 2009). The Ontario Power Authority (OPA) is charged with implementing the program, which is North America’s first comprehensive guaranteed pricing structure for renewable electricity production, with generators earning revenues under a 20 year contract for energy …
September 20, 2011 Tuesday at 3:20 am
Canada’s Climate: Sunlight and Solar Potential
Solar potential is determined by the intensity of the sun’s rays, the number of hours of direct sunlight and daily temperatures. Many areas of Canada have favourable solar regimes. With increasing panel temperature, solar conversion efficiency can decrease by as much as 20%. For example, a city such as Toronto may, on a yearly basis, have less sunlight than Miami …
September 19, 2011 Monday at 2:19 pm
Canada: Solar Energy Basics
The Benefits of Solar–Generated Electricity Solar energy forms part of the group of clean technologies which provide a long-term, renewable source of energy without polluting the environment. Unlike non-renewable sources of energy including coal, nuclear, natural gas, oil, propane, and wood, solar does not rely on any fuel except for sunlight which is constantly being generated. Solar energy production therefore …
September 18, 2011 Sunday at 3:07 am
