The Ontario Power Authority (OPA) has approved 510 renewable energy projects that will be the first large power generators to obtain contracts through the province's feed-in tariff (FIT) program.
Approximately 95% of the projects are for solar generation, OPA says. The 510 installations will be built in 120 communities across Ontario by farmers, municipalities, local distribution companies, commercial businesses, industrial customers and public institutions, such as schools and hospitals. The projects range from 10 kW to 500 kW and have a total generating capacity of 112 MW.
The FIT program's domestic content requirements ensure that a key portion of the technology used for renewable energy generation comes from Ontario, OPA adds. Developers must meet a certain percentage of made-in-Ontario goods and labor at the time the project reaches commercial operation. For solar photovoltaic projects larger than 10 kW, the requirement is currently 50%. It will increase to 60% on Jan. 1, 2011.
SOURCE: Ontario Power Authority
