MicroFIT (Feed-in Tariff) Solar Power in Ontario:
How to Generate Electricity from Renewable Energy, Make Money and Create a Sustainable Future

Implement the system

1. Apply for a contract with OPA (Ontario Power Authority). Get all the details on the program which currently pays 80.2 cents/kW for every bit you generate with solar PV.

OPA MicroFIT web site

Once you submit your FIT/MicroFIT contract for approval through the OPA web site you will be informed that the the following are your next steps:

• Receive your conditional offer of microFIT contract from the OPA.
• Work with your local distribution company to get your microFIT project connected to the electrical distribution grid.
• Arrange for a safety inspection of your microFIT project with the Electrical Safety Authority. For more information about the Electrical Safety Authority, visit www.esasafe.com.
• Wait to be notified of your microFIT program contract offer. The OPA will send you an electronic contract offer once your microFIT project is connected.

So, the next thing to do if you haven't already is contact your local distribution company to get all the details and paper work requirements for getting your system onto the distribution grid.

Completed documents that must eventually be faxed, emailed or mailed to OPA.

Along with the completed OPA MicroFIT contract form the following also had to be sent in. Solera, the installer I've used in the past, helped prepare most of these documents:

• Single Line Diagram PDF - our diagram shows an existing "net meter" setup that we had installed in 2002 in addition to the new RESOP/SOP solar PV system being applied for.
• Connection Agreement with Hydro One PDF - OPA asked that we send this to them as a part of the application.
• OPA Authorization Letter PDF - Exhibit B - allows OPA to get information on our Hydro One utility account (may be required)

2. Hopefully your solar system was installed by Solera in compliance with Green Energy Act, MicroFIT and ESA (Electrical Safety Authority) standards. It took a few days when I did it for RESOP program. They did a great job including preparing the system a new second meter base and directly wired through the electrical panel until the new meter is installed by Hydro One in our case or whatever LDC is doing your meter install.

3. ESA inspection was requested by Solera. ESA inspector came by the house and took pictures. He approved the setup in principle from what he saw and put a sticker on the new empty meter base. We then received the approval paper from ESA by mail.

4. We then requested our LDC, Hydro One, install the new second meter for mesurement of generation by new solar panels. They first had someone do an inspection of the setup. Several months later after they got around to installing the new meter (an Elster meter that measures both consumption and generation).

Before the new meter was installed I had to pay for it. Hydro One asked that we pay $930 for the new meter, installation service and tax. Although the service order does not detail the cost breakdown my understanding is that the meter cost about $100, so the service and taxes for what should have taken just a few minutes of install time (according to Hydro One literature on smart meter install process). For that service it would appear I paid about $700.

5. With the new meter installed I called Hydro One customer service to ask when I'd start getting my cheques for the my solar PV generated electricity. Hydro One confirmed that they will send a package for the program now that the meter is installed. They tell me I must complete some forms and then I should finally start getting paid the for the new solar PV systems generation. Can't wait to get the first cheque. Not quite so fast! Waited a bit but then finally after calls to Hydro One failed to provide any answer, remebered that the OPA web site suggest I need to send in declaration of operation letter. I never got a welcome package.

6. Finally think I've figured out what forms are required to complete the process. On the OPA web site and in the email confirming my contract it says I need to send both OPA and Hydro One (your LDC whichever one you deal with) my "Declaration of Commercial Operation". I should have known it would be something like this. The template for this document which I completed and emailed to each party can be found on the OPA web site (for old RESOP)- here. There may be a new form to go with the MicroFIT program.

7. Now you are officially a solar farmer. Get farming! Your utility will likely want to setup an EFT process for payment. Hydro One pays quarterly. I provided my bank account information and they automatically deposite about $200/quarter in my account (that is for the 1.2 kW solar system on the old RESOP contract at 42 cents/kW...I would be getting $400/quarter with the 1.2 kW solar system if it was on the MicroFIT...but don't worry, I am looking at putting int a 5 kW solar system on the MicroFIT.).

Well done! Now get your friends to join the club.

About John Wilson, the founder of NaturalLifeNetwork.com

Wilson Natural Documentary DVD

A great companion to this resource is a documentary DVD produced by John Wilson. If this information interests you, you'll love the documentary about how John Wilson built the Wilson Natural Home. Check out the documentary video that describes the entire process - click here.