New energy entrepreneurs in Canada are exceeding expectations A Toronto project featuring both wind and PV solar is moving faster and experiencing more demand than what most people thought possible.

Similar to a much smaller recently launched project in Vermont, than 2,400 individuals, community organizations, and companies in Ontario have applied to the Ontario Power Authority’s feed-in-tariff (FIT) program. The program pays green power producers a subsidized rate for the renewable electricity they sell onto the grid. This program is patterned after one like it in Germany and Spain.

Referred to as “microFIT” applications, most are for rooftop solar-power systems. More than 1,400 applications have been filled for small scale PV solar electric systems capable of producing 5 – 10 kilowatts. All told the green generating capacity is expecting to total over 5,000 megawatts.

Jim Creeggan, bassist for Canadian band The Barenaked Ladies, is one of them. He installed a 3.8-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system atop his home in Trinity-Bellwoods and was happy to hear he could now sell the power he produces back to the grid for 80.2 cents per kilowatt-hour.

Others taking advantage of the program include aboriginal men’s residence Na-Me-Res, a charitable organization located near Bathurst St. and St. Clair Ave. W. It installed solar panels on its roof in anticipation of the microFIT program.
In Riverdale, the Neighbourhood Unitarian Universalist Congregation has decided to put a 21-kilowatt solar system on its church rooftop. To raise the $110,000 required, it is selling $1,000 debentures to the public that offer 5 per cent interest annually for 20 years.

Toronto based Atlantic Wind & Solar Inc., in conjunction real estate company The Remington Group Inc., is planning five rooftop solar projects each 250 kilowatts in size and representing an investment of up to $15 million. The companies will share equally in the 20-year revenue stream. Atlantic Wind is in discussions to put another 500 kilowatts on the roof of a large pharmaceutical manufacturer.

Sean McCrae, president of Highland Solar in Toronto, says interest in the program will likely grow as more do-it-yourself solar kits became available.

This week, home improvement giant Lowe’s announced it would begin carrying a self-installable solar system — called the Andalay system — in California.

Highland Solar is making those systems in Ontario and is exclusive distributor in Canada.

McCrae is hoping that Lowe’s will begin carrying the product in Ontario stores. “They would be silly not to,” he said, explaining how simple installation is becoming.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009 at 5:22 pm and is filed under My Government. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.