Incentive Works

Ontario government has passed Green Energy Act, 2009 which includes a proposal for a new renewable energy program known as a Feed-in Tariff (FIT). Program intended to further encourage the development of renewable energy supply. From the time it was announced, Ontario Power Authority had number of consultation secessions with the stake holders and has been fine tuning the program to meet its stated objectives and that of its stakeholders. Now this process has reached its final stage and Feed-in Tariff program can come into effect anytime.

When it comes into effect, Ontario’s Feed-In Tariff program will be the best incentive program available on earth to solar electricity generators. So it is important for average Ontarians to understand this Feed-In Tariff program and take advantage of it while it is available.

So what is it?

• A Feed-in Tariff is an incentive system to promote solar, wind, and other renewable energy sources.
   
• A Feed-in Tariff sets a higher than normal kilowatt watt hour rate for the clean electricity produced, which is paid to the person or business that generates the electricity over a set period of 20 years.
   
• So if you put up a solar electric system under Feed-in Tariff program, your residence or business would basically become a utility. You generate as much electricity for the grid as you can with your renewable energy sources, and the utility is required to buy this electricity from you and pay for this electricity at the rate prescribed by the Feed-In Tariff program.
   
• What about your own electricity needs when you participate in Feed-in Tariff program? You will continue to buy and pay your electricity need as usual at usual rate, whatever that is. The difference is that every month, you also get a cheque from the utility that MORE than compensates for your electric bill. In fact, you are making money after you are done paying off the cost for your solar system, typically in 5 to 10 years, depending on the size of your solar electric system and your situation.
   
• For example, if your regular electric bill is say $60/month, and your solar electric system is selling an average of $260 a month worth of solar electricity to the utility using the Feed-in Tariff, you are putting $200/month towards paying for your solar panels. That is $2400 a year. If the cost of your panels was $12,000, you will be paid back in 5 years. For the next 15 years, by law, you are set to make $200/month from your solar panels!
   
• Unfortunately, these programs are short lived. Governments, such as Germany and Spain, famous for their solar Feed-in Tariffs, limit the number of participants by the amount of total power generated under the Feed-in Tariff.
   
• Feed-In Tariff also crates huge upswing in solar sales, because of the German/Spain Feed-in Tariff program, panel prices are at an all time low right now and Ontario’s Feed-In Tariff has the potential to take it to another level. 

Call for nominations for the CIPEC Leadership Awards at Energy 2009
Canada’s top industrial energy efficiency achievements will gain national recognition this fall at Canada’s foremost industrial energy efficiency conference.

St Marys Cement receives the first North American Silver Certification in Energy Excellence
“The Certification in Energy Excellence not only acknowledges what we have done to date, but more importantly, it requires us to strive for continuous improvement,” says Jim Storey, Electrical Maintenance Manager at St Marys Cement’s Bowmanville, Ontario plant. Participating in the certification program means that energy conservation becomes engrained in the company culture and in plant processes, adds Fabio Garcia, the Bowmanville Plant Manager.
 
Ontario artisan dairy achieves LEED Platinum certification
“Dairies are energy hogs so the potential for savings is big,” notes Petra Cooper, co-owner with her husband, of Fifth Town Artisan Cheese Co., a state-of-the-art cheese factory and retail outlet in Picton, Ontario. As the only industrial facility to achieve LEED Platinum certification, it has employed energy-efficient systems that are expected to reduce building energy use by 55 percent and process use by 15 percent compared with a similar, conventional building.

Powering Transportation with Renewable Energy
Filling (Charging) Stations

Solar charging stations strategically placed throughoutthe property for efficiency and convenience.

Prefab or custom solar car port enclosures designed tomeet the architectural and environmental needs of a complex, campus or facility.

• ecoENERGY Initiatives
• ecoENERGY Retrofit –Small and Medium Organizations
• ecoENERGY for Buildings and Houses
• Community Go Green Fund
• ecoENERGY for Renewable Heat
• OPA’s Electricity Retrofit Incentive Program
• Ontario Biogas Systems Financial Assistance Program
• Clean Air Foundation Launches Solar Program For Ontario Homeowners
• ecoENERGY Retrofit Incentive for Buildings
• New GMF Funding Opportunity
• EcoAction: A Community Funding Program
• Sustainable Development Technology Canada
• Ontario Solar Thermal Heating Incentive (OSTHI)
• Green Grants, a Canadian community greening program sponsored by Wal-Mart Canada and led by Evergreen

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Please Call 416-605-1518

Contact Madan Chawla, Solar Planner and Advisor