August 13, 2010

On August 13, the Ontario Power Authority announced that it has finalized the price for the new microFIT ground-mounted solar price category at 64.2 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh). This price applies to eligible 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.

Eligible ground-mounted solar applications submitted prior to noon on July 2, 2010, will receive the original price of 80.2 cents/kWh whether or not they have received a contract or conditional offer. These applicants will also have until May 31, 2011, to install and request a connection for their projects before higher domestic content requirements are required. Ground-mounted solar microFIT contracts signed and conditional offers received before July 2 will continue to be eligible for the original price of 80.2 cents/kWh.

During the 30-day consultation period, the OPA held three web-enabled teleconferences with 1,665 participants and received 1,645 written submissions about the proposed price. Based on this input, 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, consumer and academic 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, Ontario’s Aboriginal communities, 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 is working to respond quickly to microFIT applicants. Most ground-mounted applications that have been submitted will be processed by the end of September.

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 other details. Information on how to participate can be found here.

More details about the changes to the program are available in these frequently asked questions.

Deadline extended to resubmit microFIT applications
August 4, 2010

Rationale for new ground-mounted solar PV price category
July 14, 2010

Details of proposed ground-mounted solar PV rate calculation
July 23, 2010

	July 23, 2010 - Ground-mounted solar PV questions and answers
	July 2, 2010 - New Price Category Proposed for microFIT Ground-Mounted Solar PV Projects
	July 2, 2010 - Nouvelle classification tarifaire proposée pour installations solaires PV montées au sol