On September 24, 2009, the Government of Ontario officially launched Canada's first feed-in tariff, a new renewable energy program established under the landmark Green Energy Act. The feed-in tariff is a cornerstone of the province's plan, Government's 10 steps to green energy, to make Ontario a No

Ontario's Feed-in Tariff Program Highlights

Feed-in Tariff Program

The feed-in tariff (FIT) Program will accelerate the growth of clean, renewable sources of energy, including bioenergy, solar, waterpower and wind, and the creation of thousands of new green jobs. The program will attract a diverse range of renewable energy producers including homeowners, community-based groups and larger scale commercial generators by:

* guaranteeing specific rates for energy generated from renewable sources

* providing the right to connect to the electricity grid for renewable energy projects that meet technical, economic and other regulatory requirements
* delivering a one-stop streamlined approvals process, providing service guarantees for renewable energy projects that meet regulatory requirements

* requiring domestic content for renewable energy projects - creating job opportunities here at home
* helping local communities and First Nation and Métis communities to build, own and operate their own renewable energy projects.


Ontario Power Authority is responsible for administering FIT. Applications will be accepted starting October 1, 2009.

Renewable energy projects that generate less than 10 kW of electricity will have a different application process than larger commercial projects and will be administered as micro-feed-in tariff (microFIT) projects.

Dedicated websites will go live September 30, 2009, providing step-by-step instructions and materials to assist developers, homeowners and small businesses with program requirements and the application process.

Information on renewable energy development and approvals can also be accessed through the provincial government's Renewable Energy Facilitation Office.

WHAT IS A FEED-IN TARIFF AND HOW IT WORKS

* "Feed-in tariff" refers to the specific price paid to renewable energy suppliers for the green energy they produce.
* It guarantees market-viable prices for electricity generated from renewable energy sources and provides a reasonable rate of return for projects of different types and sizes. It includes standardized program rules, prices and contracts. The rates are based on the size of the project and the type of energy used to generate electricity.
* A feed-in tariff helps spark new investment in renewable energy generation by offering proponents easier access to financing and the energy grid, and a streamlined approvals process.