Solar Energy at a Glance - Ontario Power Authority MicroFIT / FIT

MicroFIT Program at a Glance

MicroFIT programs are for applications 10 kW and under, and usually apply to residential and smaller commercial properties. Contracts from the Ontario Power Authority cover a period of 20 years at a fixed payment rate of 80.2 cents /kWh of energy produced for rooftop mounts, and 43.3 cents / kWh for ground mounted systems.

MicroFIT Applications are made on-line at www.powerauthority.on.ca and with your local utility company.

There is no cost to make these applications.

The process begins with a conditional contract that will be issued by the OPA. It is valid for 6 months, and you will be given a unique PIN number that must be retained to gain web site access in order to track your application process.

The utilty company application can be made by your solar installer of choice.

No work should be started until you have received the green light from both of these authorities.

After your system is installed the electrical connections will be inspected and the hook-ups to the local utility will be made. At this point the utility will verify the manditory 60% Ontario Content, and on notification the OPA will issue the permanent contract and your incentive payments will begin.

Payments will be made by your utility company at the same frequency as your current billing.

FIT Program at a Glance

FIT systems range in size from 10 kW and above, and are tiered in size to regulate incentive payments as follows:

10 kW - 250 kW 71.3 cents / kWh

250 kW - 500 kW 63.5 cents / kWh

500 kW + 53.9 cents / kWh

Applicants to the Ontario Power Authority FIT program should read the following 4 documents prior to commencing with a formal application:

1. The FIT Rules

2. Price Schedule

3. Standard Definitions

4. Contract

These documents are available on-line at www.powerauthority.on.ca and contain important directions and answers covering areas such as the requirements of owning and operating a solar powered facility, the various payment schedules, the length of conditional contracts, and FIT eligibility, etc.

Sunrise can assist in helping you better understand this information.

Some popular myths about solar

Myth 1: Solar will not solve world’s needs.

Solar PV capacity can be delivered to meet demand on any scale. A 10 sq mile area will produce approx 80 Gigawatts of electricity using 10% efficient PV modules, enough to power all of Canada.

Myth 2: Solar cannot reduce emissions.

PV produces no atmospheric emissions or greenhouse gases. Each kW will annually offset 16 kg’s of nitrogen oxides, 9 kg’s of sulfur oxides and 2300 kg’s of carbon dioxide (CO2), greater than the annual increase in fossil fuel emissions.

Myth 3: Solar is a polluting industry.

PV is neither “squeaky clean” nor a major eco problem, but it’s the clear cut winner versus fossil fuels. PV’s use of silicon has some risk but existing codes & controls ensure it’s safety.

Myth 4: Solar is a fad, appealing to only market niches.

This is a real business, growing at over 35% per year since 2008. World wide estimates peg continued growth at 25% – 35% for the next decade.

Myth 5: Solar is too expensive and will never pay back.

The cost of producing PV has fallen from $50 /peak watt in 1980 to $3 today. Conversely, fossil fuel costs are certain to rise for the foreseeable future.

Myth 6: Solar technology has reached it’s limits.

As a high tech industry PV has immense potential to evolve and advance. Our current technology still has substantial potential for improvement.

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