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Category:  Micro-Generator - General
Subject:  Alternate Solar Power Micro Gen Site
ID:  10742
Date:  9/16/2009
Question:  I have clients that have expressed an interest in participating in the microFit program. The clients in some cases rent their premises (house or garden homes) or own their own homes and have electric meters installed by Hydro One or local municipality to whom they pay for their electricity usage. However due to various circumstances (landscape restrictions, position of the residence or size of their lot etc.) are unable or are not suited to installing a solar power micro gen system. A local property owner has offered to divide his land into lots, sufficient in size (approximately 10-15,000 sq. ft. each) to accommodate a solar power micro gen system under 10kw each. The lots would be made available under a 20 year lease agreement to and on an individual basis to those who would like to install a micro gen system on them. Hydro One has indicated that capacity is available on hydro lines adjacent to the property to feed into the grid system. Each individual lot would have its own equipment, meter and provide full access to Hydro One and be able to feed into the Hydro One lines.
Is the proposed arrangement permissible under the microFit program? Are residents that rent or unable to install a solar power micro gen system at their residence disqualified from participating even though they are able to lease property (or lot) to install a micro gen system? It seems that there are numerous people in this category and on the surface it could be considered an act of discrimination if they are not. Furthermore, if someone is prepared to divide their property and lease out separate lots to individuals to enable them to participate in the microFit program, would he be disqualified because the land as a whole is owned by a single owner. This to could also be considered as an act of discrimination. Please advise.
Answer:  Applicants will be able to build and install projects on leased property.

The OPA is still considering the option of allowing multiple microFIT projects on one location.

In the draft rules, if a CIA is triggered, then the project is not eligible for a microFIT contract. If there are more than 10 kW on at a connection point, then a CIA may be triggered.

If a larger project appears to have been broken up into `microFIT' sized projects, then all applications with respect to those projects will be terminated.

Greater clarity will be provided at a later date.

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