Dear Reader:

There are a lot of misconceptions about the viability of solar systems in Ontario. This along with a plethora of bad articles in the Toronto Star, Globe and Mail etc regarding solar power have raised doubts in the public’s mind with respect to solar power. Let me clear up some basic misconceptions.

1. The first patent for a solar cell was granted in 1939. In the early 1960s, solar power was used in buoys and remote satellite and weather stations. Solar power since then as become a proven reliable technology which is now coming into its own. It’s no different than the personal computer. The first PC came out in 1976, but it wasn’t until the early 1990s until they were mass marketed to the public and were very expensive and difficult to use when they first came out.
2. Since we in Canada (and Ontario) have four seasons and harsh winters, solar is really not suitable for Ontario? Wrong, Ontario has a much better solar map than Germany which is the world leader in solar production and installations. In fact, Germany starts at the 47 debgrees parallel north, which is north of Ottawa, which is approx 46 degrees latitude north. This is explained in my industry overview.
3. Why are there so many newspaper articles with people complaining about the slow approval process and the fact that they can’t just connected? Let me address these issues:
   1. The application process for a microFIT program is free and easy and took less than (90) days. In one of the above links I have put on my actual application for all to see. In fact, I have already installed one unit on my home and will start another one one up shortly on another commercial property I own.
   2. Yes, there are delays and some people are not getting connected for the larger FIT projects because of the basic fact that many projects can’t meet the local capacity requirements. In the early days of the programs solar companies sold large systems to people in mainly rural areas where there was no capacity to handle the power that was to be generated. These people in turned blamed the Government and in particular Hydro One. The fault lies with the people/developers who sold these systems to people in areas that didn’t have sufficient transmission capacity. This is why there is still backlog of applications.

Political Risk

Can or will the Government change the program? Yes and No. Any Government can change any program going forward. However, if you have been approved you have a legal contract which the Government must honour. It’s that simple. A contract is a contract, is a contract.

The Province of Ontario has given generous incentives to start the solar industry through the current feed in tariff and has been successful in doing so. Every industry goes through growing pains as installers, customers and governments learn what is going on in any new program or industry. As a potential customer all you can do is learn the facts and I hope and trust this web site will help.