Pending microFIT applications must be re-submitted by Sept 7!
August 13, 2010 at 10:28 pm
Anyone who has submitted a microFIT application before July 2, 2010 but has not yet been offered a contract must re-submit their application using the new OPA microFIT form by September 7th.
Applicants who applied for ground-mount systems before July 2nd must re-submit their application by September 7th in order to qualify for the 80.2¢/kWh rate.
For applications submitted in August, the OPA is currently working towards a 60-day processing time, meaning that you will get feedback by the end of October.
Background for the New MicroFIT Rate Category
Today, the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) announced that they had finalized a new price category for ground-mount microFIT projects. When the FIT program first launched in October 2009, the OPA had not distinguished between rooftop and ground-mount solar power systems under 10kW. However, last month, on July 2, the OPA proposed a new price category and invited stakeholders to participate in a month long consultation period. In their announcement, the OPA admitted that they had a more microFIT applications than they expected (16,000 applications) and sited their desire to protect the FIT Program’s long-term sustainability as well as address the ratepayers’ concerns as their reasons for the proposed change.
The microFIT Rate Change ONLY affects Ground-mount Systems
Following the consultation period, the OPA has decided that ground-mount systems less than 10kW will receive 64.2 cents/kWh instead of the 80.2 cents/kWh rate which was in place when the program launched. Roof-top systems under 10kW will continue to receive the 80.2 cents/kWh.
Who is Affected by OPA’s Announcement?
The implementation of the new price category affects all microFIT applicants who have not yet received and accepted a contract offer from the OPA – both rooftop and ground mount. Prior to July 2, the microFIT application form did not ask if you were applying for rooftop or ground-mount systems, now with a two-tier microFIT rate in place applicants are required to identify the project as either rooftop or ground-mount.
The OPA therefore released all microFIT applications on July 2 and requested all applicants to re-submit their applications using their new application form by August 3, a deadline that has since been extended to September 7.
If you have already received a contract from the OPA, you are not affected by this rate change.
What Now?
There are a couple of things that you should do in response to the new microFIT rate – each depending on your specific situation:
- If you completed a microFIT application before July 2 but have not yet been offered a contract, then you must re-submit your application if you are still interested in a microFIT contract. Even if your application was for a ground-mount system, you will receive the 80.2 cents/kWh rate. For applications submitted in August, the OPA is currently working towards a 60-day processing time, meaning that you will get feedback by the end of October.
- If you haven’t applied yet, but are interested in a microFIT project, then get your application in as soon as possible. By submitting your application now, you might be able to get your contract in time to build a system before winter arrives.
- If you already have a contract, then start planning to build your system. Contact an installer and make a plan for the building process. EfstonScience can help you with your planning and to find a reputable installer.
- Finally, the OPA has repeatedly stated that if you don’t have a contract yet then you should not order a system or start any building activities. Before you have a contract, you don’t have all the information required to make the right decisions for your system and your wallet.
If you have any questions about how to go forward, contact EfstonScience; they can help with everything from your microFIT application to getting the system built and connected to the grid.
This blog post is submitted by Jon Warren from ClearSky Advisiors
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