The OPA is providing the following guidelines that balance the benefits of more renewable energy with the need to protect Ontario's prime agricultural land.

Ontario Agricultural Land

The Canada Land Inventory (CLI) categorizes agricultural land into seven classes, based on climate and soils. CLI Class 1 soils have the highest and Class 7 soils the lowest capability to support agriculture. CLI is maintained and managed by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA).

The Minister of Energy and Infrastructure directed the Ontario Power Authority not to enter into contracts for ground-mounted solar PV projects greater than 100 kilowatts (kW) whose facilities are located on:
 

• lands comprised of CLI Class 1, 2 or 3 soils, unless the Class 3 land is designated as "Class 3 available". 
• specialty crop areas within the meaning of the 2005 Provincial Policy Statement (PPS).

If your ground-mounted solar PV project is proposed to be located on Class 4 to 7 soils or unclassified land, your project may be eligible for the FIT Program provided that it meets all other eligibility criteria. If your land is designated on CLI maps as having Class 3 soils, there is a 500 MW cap (nameplate capacity) for the province and your project may not be eligible for the FIT Program.

For more information on how soil is classified in Ontario, please click here.

Note: the restrictions related to ground-mounted solar PV projects and Classes 1, 2 and 3 soils do not apply to First Nations reserve lands.