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August 14th, 2010 - Final price for ground-mounted solar PV projects announced

Thank you to all microFIT applicants who submitted feedback and information during the recent consultation period. The Ontario Power Authority has announced that it has finalized the price for the new microFIT ground-mounted solar PV category at 64.2 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh). This price applies to microFIT ground-mounted solar applications submitted after noon on July 2, when a new price category was proposed.

The finalized price reflects input received during a 30-day consultation period and incorporates a wider variation of cost inputs and project configurations, including higher operating and maintenance costs for ground-mounted solar tracking equipment. The price strikes the right balance between providing a reasonable rate of return to electricity generators and protecting ratepayers from higher than necessary electricity prices.

The microFIT team is now working to process all applications it has received. If you submitted your application prior to July 31, it will be processed by the end of September. If you submitted in August, you will hear back from the OPA by the early fall.

Based on feedback received during the 30-day consultation period, the OPA also made the following announcements:

To improve communication and increase transparency, the OPA is establishing a microFIT program advisory panel that will provide advice on program evolution, including the two-year review process. The panel will be made up of industry, academic and other stakeholder representatives.

Commercial aggregators (e.g., businesses that lease land or rooftops from individuals for multiple renewable energy projects) will no longer be allowed to participate in the microFIT program. This will ensure that the microFIT program is focused on its original purpose – encouraging homeowners, farmers, farm co-operatives, First Nations, small businesses and institutions such as schools to own and develop small renewable projects.

The panel will make recommendations, on an expedited basis, about appropriate contracting provisions for aggregators to reflect the unique nature of commercial micro projects. This will help ensure that commercial aggregators can continue to participate in the clean energy economy but do so outside of the microFIT program structure.

To implement these changes, the OPA is updating the microFIT application form, and new applications will be accepted beginning on Friday, August 20. Applications will then be open to individuals who are the registered owner of the property on which the generating facility is to be located and certain other entities. Other eligible participants will be discussed by the microFIT advisory panel. Existing applications can continue to be managed and resubmitted during this time.

The OPA will host a webinar on August 18 from 2 to 4 p.m. to answer questions about the finalized price, the advisory panel and the May 31, 2011, installation date. Details on how to participate can be found on the microFIT website.

With these changes, Ontarians will receive good value for new, clean, renewable energy, and microFIT project developers will get a reasonable return.

August 13th, 2010 - MicroFIT Eligibility Update

Effective immediately eligibility to submit an application of 10kW and under is limited only to those individuals (natural persons) who are the registered owners of the property on which the Facility is to be located and certain other entities. Other eligible participants will be discussed by the Advisory Panel. Please refer to the microFIT website for more information: microfit.powerauthority.on.ca

In order to implement these changes, the OPA is updating the microFIT appllication form. New applications may be submitted once the new application form is posted. Existing applications can continue to be managed and resubmitted during this time.

Click here to read all microFIT program updates in their entirety