Ontario Solar Farms

Key changes to the FIT Program ias of April 2012:

As a first step, the FIT and microFIT program rules will provide for the awarding of 50 MW of microFIT and 200 MW of small FIT contracts as soon as possible.

FIT applications will now be accepted only during an application window, rather than on an ongoing basis.

Small project FIT applicants will now need to submit application security if they wish to apply or re-apply under the new program rules.

Applications will be prioritized with points awarded based on applicant type, municipal support, Aboriginal support, project readiness and electricity system benefit.

Solar rooftop projects must reach commercial operation within 18 months of receiving a contract, compared with three years previously.

Ground-mounted solar projects need to be located on lands that are not used for residential purposes and also cannot be adjacent to lands that are used for residential purposes.

Ground-mounted solar projects are permitted on commercial and industrial lands as long as it is the secondary use of the property. However, if the project is the only use of the property, it will be ineligible.

In addition, ground-mounted solar projects can be located only on property that does not contain any Class 1, 2 or 3 soils, organic or specialty crop soils, regardless of zoning, or any mixed soils that contain Class 1, 2 or 3 soils.

For projects other than rooftop solar that receive prioritization points related to the type of applicant, there are new restrictions on changes that would reduce the equity held by a community, Aboriginal group or health or education entity below the level that enabled the project to qualify for such prioritization points during the entire term. For rooftop solar projects that receive prioritization points related to the type of applicant, such restrictions apply from the contract date until five years after the commercial operation date

20 Year Guaranteed Income

The Ontario Power Authority (OPA) is offering 20 year contracts for the purchase of power from Solar PV systems. Once you have received a contract (or contract offer), the rate never changes for the 20 year period of the contract. Here is a table of the rates paid, by location (ground or rooftop) and by system size: Feed-in Tariff Rates

Feed-in Tariff:

A new meter is installed as part of your system. The electricity you produce is metered and you are paid for it, before any power is used by you. If you have an existing service at that site, there are no changes to your existing usage, you are still metered for all electricity used and receive a bill as usual.

April 2012 - OPA announces new tariff rates following their two year review. All rates have been reduced to reflect reduced costs for solar systems.

See the Ontario Feed-In Tariff Rates: Feed-In Tariff

Verify your land classification: Land Inventory Maps