Ontario Will Allocate 232 MW Of Small-Scale Solar Projects

Originally published on Clean Techies.

Ontario will soon allocate a number of small-scale solar projects under its feed-in tariff program.

The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) in Ontario recently announced that it will allocate 936 renewable energy projects, including 907 small-scale solar projects under the feed-in tariff program.

A total of 241 MW renewable energy capacity will be signed up for long-term supply agreements, which includes 232 MW of solar projects. The project developers will be eligible for the feed-in tariffs applicable but they can offer to avail lower tariffs, thereby increasing their chances of a project allocation.

The projects will have an installed capacity of between 10 kW to 500 kW and will be installed atop commercial, industrial, and municipal buildings. Apart from the solar projects, the IESO will also allocate some bioenergy, wind, and hydro power projects.

As of June 2016, solar energy contributed to around 1% of the installed capacity in Ontario. With 280 MW of operational capacity, the latest planned allocation will almost double the solar capacity. Ontario has already added 360 MW of capacity this year, all based on wind energy and solar.

The expansion of renewable energy share in the installed capacity is part of the Long-term Energy Plan which targets substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Reprinted with permission.