Does My Site Qualify?
The microFIT Program Overview document has the detailed rules. The most important ones are:
- You must be the owner of a property, it must not be owned by a business. There are some exceptions, such as for farms, and for community groups.
- You can only have one microFIT installation per legal parcel of land.
- You can not have multiple microFIT contracts if you have multiple pieces of property, (Home, Cottage, etc)
- The property must be in Ontario and serviced by the Ontario grid. (Sorry Cornwall Electric's customers can't participate)
- Some remote communities may not participate, contact the OPA to determine if your location falls into this category. Generally all of Eastern Ontario is fine for microFIT.
- The nameplate capacity must be 10kWh or less.
- For an existing house, you need a second bi-directional meter installed. (A dual meter base) This measures the power you generate.
- You start with a request for a microFIT contract.
- The paperwork and application process is highly streamlined to reduce time and costs associated with the application
- You need an ESA permit and inspection of the installation.
- You may need a building permit
- Your system must comply with Ontario content rules detailed in the OPA's microFIT overview document. In 2014 under the 3.0 rules the Ontario content portion has been reduced, and solar panels can be made anywhere. They must be CSA or uLc approved.
- A ground mounted instalation is prohibited on land with residential zoning, or touching residential zoning. See the OPA website for complete details.
- The OPA has a quota for microFIT installations, and when that is exceeded, you will have to wait a re-apply in the next year, or whenever new quota is approved.
The FIT program is for systems over 10kW nameplate capacity. The differences are:
- The rate paid to the producer is $0.288 for ground mounted or $0.345 per kWh, up to a capacity of 100kWH for rooftop systems.
- A site plan is required as part of the application
- More fees and permits are required, the application procecess is far more complex.
- This is targeted towards flat roof commercial buildings in urban areas, and rural landowners. This is normally not practical for most urban home owners.
- The property can be owned by a business / corporation
- The power grid has to have sufficient capacity to support the connection
What type of site do I need?
- Solar panels can be mounted on the roof of your home, or other building if it faces south and has an appropriate slope
- Solar panels can be pole mounted
- Solar panels can be ground mounted, on a dedicated frame