Top Ten Questions & Answers About Solar Power in Ottawa

1. Can Ottawa Residents, Community and Businesses Install Solar Power?

Yes, absolutely! Ottawans can install solar photovoltaic (PV) systems that generate electricity on roofs or
on the ground for their own use and for sale back to the power grid. Residents and organizations can also
set-up solar thermal units that produce hot water for various in-home uses. Solar PV qualifies for the
Feed-In-Tariff (FIT) Program of the Ontario government.

2. How does the FIT Program work?

Established through the Green Energy Act (GEA), the FIT Program provides a guaranteed price for solar
power which is feed into the provincial electricity grid. The FIT Program was created to encourage
community-based generation of renewable energy. MicroFIT is a component of the broader initiative that
is tailored to small-scale solar installations 10 kilowatts or less in size. The Ontario Power Authority (OPA)
oversees the FIT Program and awards power purchase contracts to residents, community organizations and
businesses that apply and qualify.

3. What are the Key Numbers behind the FIT Program?

Solar FIT contracts cover 20 years and are guaranteed by the OPA. Rates vary by type of installation. Small
MicroFIT systems on homes are paid a rate of 80.2 cents/kilowatt hour. Rooftop installations larger than
10 kilowatts are paid rates from 53.9 71.3 cents/kilowatt hour. Ground mounted systems are paid rates
from 44.3 64.2 cents a kilowatt hour. A simple rule of thumb is larger installation receive a lower rate.
FIT rates will likely decrease over time as the technologies become less expensive. The Green Energy Act
also includes a requirement that 60% of each renewable energy installation must be sourced in Ontario.
Good news, there are no provincial tax implications arising from the FIT program.

4. What steps do you follow to install a solar power system through the FIT Program?

Step #1: Assess if your roof has adequate space and sunlight and determine what upgrades would be
necessary to your roof to have a solar PV installation by having an engineer inspect the roof. Step #2: Get
some quotes from installers and perform a financial assessment for your project. Step #3: Take into
consideration any income and property tax implications. Step #4: Choose your installer. Step #5: Register
with the Ontario power Authority and obtain a My MicroFIT Homepage. Step #6: Work with your supplier
to apply for a Conditional MicroFIT Contract Offer from the OPA, and apply for a Micro Embedded
Connection Agreement using a request form provided by Hydro Ottawa. Step #7: Obtain a building permit
from the City of Ottawa, which will cost approximately $250. Your installer will arrange for electrical
permits. Step #8: Arrange financing and insurance. Step #9: Install your system, have it inspected, and
arrange for grid connection with Hydro Ottawa. Step #10: Accept your contract from the OPA through and
start receiving payments from Hydro Ottawa. For more details go to: http://www.sustainableottawa.ca.
5. How does solar power affect property ownership?
Currently the added value of solar roof mount installations are property tax exempt under the Green
Energy Act. If, over the course of future years, a property is deemed to be more valuable through actual
sales then it may increase property tax. The incremental cost of new solar equipment can be covered by
home insurance, as long as your insurer is notified. The upside is that nine out of 10 Ontario homebuyers
are willing to pay more for a green home, and you can also sell your solar PV installation with your home
and transfer the FIT contract to the new homeowner.

6. What financial returns are solar power investments generating?

Solar power is a significant investment: installing a small scale 3 to 5 kilowatt solar PV system costs
around $30,000 to $50,000. Investment rates of return on solar power range from 6-10% annually.
The overall design of the microFIT Program reduces risk/uncertainty. Investment returns are meeting
expectations. It does take time, upfront investment, and commitment to get solar systems installed.

7. How does solar power compare to other sources of electricity and what are the benefits?
It is important to make fair comparisons. Solar power has some concrete advantages against large
electricity generating systems. Firstly, solar power as a decentralized source of energy produced locally,
solar doesnt require large transmission capacity and has low line loses. Secondly, solar doesnt burden
society with a range of environmental costs from air pollution to climate change to ecological damage.
Finally, solar power is generated at peak hours when demand for electricity and costs are high. Solar is
greener, cleaner and more sustainable, generating local jobs and business opportunities.

8. The price of Solar Power in the FIT and microFIT Programs seems expensive, why?
Solar power is an evolving clean energy technology and were just beginning to see economic of scale in PV
cells production. The bottom line is that improvements in technology and PV manufacturing are on the
horizon and will significantly reduce the costs of solar power over time. The current FIT/microFIT prices are
high, but will fall as technologies improve, economies of scale are achieved and a market is created. Its
important to member that all of the costs of solar power through the FIT and microFIT programs are paid
by electricity consumers in the province. No costs are borne by tax payers or the provincial government.

9. If I dont want to invest in a solar power system of my own, what options do I have?

Renewable energy coops are being formed to invest in community solar power systems in local buildings.
They pool investment from members and pay a return out of revenues from the sale of power from the
coops projects. Contact the Ottawa Renewable Energy Coop at ottawacommunityenergy@gmail.com for
more information

10. What resources can home owners, community organizations and businesses access to learn more
about solar power?
Ontario Power Authority, MicroFIT Program: http://microfit.powerauthority.on.ca/
Sustainable Ottawa Fact Sheets: http://www.sustainableottawa.ca/?page_id=86
Hydro Ottawa: http://www.hydroottawa.com/generation/index.cfm?lang=e&template_id=389
Canadian Solar Industries Association: http://www.canadian-solar.ca/faq/