Producing electricity using solar panels and selling it to the Ontario Power Authority has become a practical, secure business that also helps green our environment.
The Ontario micro-FIT program provides a streamlined process for home owners to install a Solar Panel system of up to 10kW in size and pay the producer a guaranteed price of $0.802 (rooftop) or $0.642 a kWh for a 20 year contract term. Once installed some types of Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems have no moving parts and requires no maintenance other than washing the glass a couple of times a year, and sometimes clearing snow from the panels. With a secure contract, banks view that this is a stable business and are willing to loan home owners the capitol to install such a system. This can be a great source of retirement income, while helping to displace coal-fired electricity with 100% green electricity, to help improve our planet's air quality. Note that there is no subsidy or grant to reduce the cost of the system, the only incentive is the great price that is guaranteed for the duration of the contract. These prices apply to OPA offers responding to applications received by Aug 31, 2011.
Today, March 22, 2012 the OME anounced that "Reducing prices - for solar projects by more than 20 per cent and wind projects by approximately 15 per cent. " See the OME anouncement on by the minister on the OME website. In the report, it anounced the new price will be $0.549 per kWh for rooftop installations, and $0.445 for ground mounted installations. The prices are on page 27 of the review report.
For a financial perspective of microFit solar installations, click here.
With the change in price paid for ground mounted systems, click here for more information to decide between ground and rooftop installations.
We can help you sucessfully participate in this program. Our site survey services will provide good advice to help you decide if this is practical for your home or cottage. We locate a suitable location to mount the solar panel array and calculate the revenue it could generate. A south facing roof with a 30 to 45 degree slope is a good choice. The impact of shading is calculated, to determine how big a percentage of the potential solar energy can be used by the panels. Not all sites are suitable, shade can be a big problem.
- microFIT Site surveys are $350 plus HST for most sites
- We can provide service and diagnostics for existing solar panel systems that are either grid-tied or off-grid.
- We can provide consulting services to those who would like to buy components and install the system themselves, and need support or hands on assistance in specific areas of design or deployment.
- We also sell panels, inverters and roof racking systems to DIY customers at very attractive prices.
- Training and group education on the micro-FIT program for Photo-voltaic electricity generation.
- We are independent of companies that offer installation services, so we can provide more objective advice.
- The completed system results in a stable, government guaranteed income stream that also helps to green our planet. This can be a better investment than our RRSPs, and has a more predictable rate of return on investment.
Click here for for pictures of various types of solar panel mounting systems
The typical steps in a turnkey solar installation. (A Sales company or contractor provides all the components and does all the work)
Click here for a tutorial on tracking solar panel mounting systems.
Click here for an index of the tutorials avalailable on this site.