Ontario FIT Program Review: CanSIA's Process to Ensure Your Voice is Heard

CanSIA is pleased to be leading the solar industry’s feedback in the Ontario FIT Program Review. CanSIA has met with the Ministry of Energy’s FIT Program Review Team that is looking to CanSIA as the trusted voice of the Ontario solar industry for input on how to improve the FIT Program. CanSIA is undertaking a number of activities to ensure that your priorities and concerns, particularly those specific to MicroFIT, are communicated to government at this critical time. 

The Ontario Government launched its scheduled review of the FIT Program on October 31, 2011. To facilitate the consultation process, the Ministry of Energy released eight survey questions, which can be accessed here. In preparation of this announcement, CanSIA established a FIT Review Working Group to solicit feedback from members in order to develop CanSIA’s submission on this matter. The first step in the process – an online survey – was completed on October 27 with almost 150 responses from members. To view the discussion document that summarizes the input received from members through the survey and other discussions, please click here.

This week, CanSIA is further engaging members through a series of FIT Review Working Group meetings. To address the priorities and interests of a wide range of members, the Working Group is sub-divided as follows:

  1. Micro-Scale PV (< 10 kW)
  2. Small PV (< 500 kW)
  3. Large PV (e.g. Utility Scale)
  4. Solar Thermal

Through the FIT Review Working Group, CanSIA is undertaking detailed discussions to define the key issues/recommendations that will shape our submission to the Ontario Government towards the end of November and leading into December. CanSIA will meet with the Ministry of Energy before the end of November to present and discuss our initial feedback, in order to fine-tune our recommendations prior to the December 14th deadline for final submission. Throughout the consultation period, CanSIA is making arrangements and expects that its members will have an opportunity to engage in industry sector face-to-face discussions with the OPA and Ministry of Energy, to provide critical input on the review process and expected outcomes. CanSIA is working to ensure that the concerns of its members, including those specific to microFIT members, are communicated throughout the consultation period.

For additional information on the FIT Program Review, CanSIA’s activities or how to get involved, please contact Emily Wood at ewood@cansia.ca or 416-903-4964.