Solar Energy
Community Power Ownership,
and Solar Distributed Generation
Roberto Garcia
Ontario Sustainable Energy Association
Solar PV Community Action Manual
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Technology Overview
Systems and Connections
Site Assessment
Community Ownership
Options
Financing & Analysis
Planning & Installations
Solar Energy
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Technology allows
energy from the sun
to be converted into
electric or heat
energy
Technology
Site
Structure
Price
SOP
Other Programs
Solar PV / Electric Technology
Solar Panels
Technology
Site
Structure
Price
SOP
Other Programs
Solar Energy
Solar PV
PV Modules
Power Grid
DC Current
Inverter
AC Current
Home
Meter
SOP
Meter
Source: CEL-F Solar Systems Ltd. ©
Assessing Site Considerations
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South facing roof, adequate space
No shading (time of year, future tree growth)
Roof structure, condition
More in the Solar PV
Community Action Manual
Technology
Site
Structure
Price
SOP
Other Programs
Solar Resource Assessment
Technology
Site
Structure
Price
SOP
Other Programs
Organizational Structure
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Individual Ownership
Joint Venture
Bulk Purchase Model
Co-operative; Large-scale project
Technology
Site
Structure
Price
SOP
Other Programs
Organizational Structure
Individual Ownership
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Advantages
Exclusive Internal
Benefits
Social Positioning
Benefits
Increased Cost
Certainty
Technology
Site
Structure
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Disadvantages
Risk
High amount of
knowledge required
High Capital Cost
may be a deterrent
Cannot take
advantage of
Economies of Scale
Price
SOP
Other Programs
Organizational Structure
Joint Venture
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Advantages
Spread out initial
costs & Diversify
Risk
Can combine skills
and knowledge of
different parties
Slightly better able
to achieve
economies of scale
Technology
Site
Structure
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Disadvantages
Risk
Possible conflicting
views
Price
SOP
Other Programs
Organizational Structure
Bulk Purchase
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Advantages
Economies of Scale
Cost Efficiency
Hands-off for most
involved
Security
Technology
Site
Structure
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Disadvantages
Volunteer
Inexperience
Low transfer of
expertise
Price/Participation
Fluctuation
Price
SOP
Other Programs
Organizational Structure
Co-operative Model
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Advantages
Low cost of energy
Democratic
Community Building
Limited Liability
Access to Profit
RRSP Eligibility
Technology
Site
Structure
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Disadvantages
Diversity of
Investment
Timeliness
Low Organizational
Growth
Price
SOP
Other Programs
Organizational Structure
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Technology
Site
Structure
OSEA has recently
completed the Solar
Thermal Community
Action Manual
http://www.ontariosea.org/pdf/SolarThe
rmalCommunityActio
nManual.pdf
Price
SOP
Other Programs
Price & Financing Options
Price of Solar PV
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Photovoltaic Panels (1,
2, 3kW)
Mounting Rack (flat /
pitched roof)
Grid-tie inverter
Electrical disconnect,
cable, connectors, and
installation hardware
Installation
Safety inspection
Technology
Site
Structure
PV
Panels
Power
Grid
DC Current
Inverter
AC Current
SOP
Meter
Home
Meter
Price
SOP
Other Programs
Price & Financing Options
Price of Solar PV
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Connection ready system
SOP Connection Fee: Approx. $ 575.00
+ $ 14.00 per month
Prices for:
Victorian Peak
Flat Roof
1 kW:
2 kW:
3 kW:
$11,575
$19,250
$27,200
$11,725
$19,550
$27,650
Technology
Site
Structure
Price
SOP
Other Programs
Price & Financing Options
Government Incentives
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http://www.cansia.ca/government.asp
Solar Thermal:
 Provincial Rebate of $500 for residential system
 Federal Rebate of $500 for residential system
Solar PV
 SOP
 Accelerated CCA (Class 41.3)
Technology
Site
Structure
Price
SOP
Other Programs
Price & Financing Options
Financing Options
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Leasing
Home Equity Line of Credit
Mortgage Re-Advance
Technology
Site
Structure
Price
SOP
Other Programs
The SOP and Metering for Solar
Net Metering
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Use your solar
electricity first,
then grid electricity
If you produce
more than you
use, you’re
account is credited
Technology
Site
Structure
Price
SOP
Other Programs
The Standard Offer Program
www.powerauthority.on.ca/SOP
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Initiated the campaign in 2004 due to RFP
barriers
Program announced March 2006
Contract available November 2006
42¢/kWh for Solar Electricity
Technology
Site
Structure
Price
SOP
Other Programs
The SOP and Metering for Solar
Standard Offer Program Continued…
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Toronto Hydro and other Provincial LDCs
are finalizing their processes for
administering the SOP
2 year review period underway
OSEA’s role: Provide feasibility analysis
under SOP
Technology
Site
Structure
Price
SOP
Other Programs
The SOP and Metering for Solar
Accessing the SOP
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Your Solar PV System
is metered separately
from your home
Local LDC may charge
a monthly generators
fee – we are working to
eliminate this
Excellent tax
implications with SOP
Technology
Site
Structure
Price
Home
Meter
SOP
Meter
SOP
Other Programs
Rationale for the SOP Price
Why is Solar Electricity So Great?
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Clean energy, offsets pollution sources
Increases the efficiency of energy supply
(alleviate 9% line losses estimated
through transmission)
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Peak demand leveling…
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Technology
Site
Structure
Price
SOP
Other Programs
Rationale for the SOP Price
Peak Demand Leveling
30,000
25,000
Solar
Coal
20,000
15,000
Hydro
10,000
Nuclear
5,000
12am
3am
Technology
6am
Site
9am
Structure
12pm
Price
3pm
SOP
6pm
9pm
12am
Other Programs
Other Solar Groups / Programs
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SolarShare
Sustainable Ottawa
OurPower
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TAF Funded Toronto
Program
Other Communities
WISE
RISE
Lots of
momentum;
we’re all
pioneers in this
together!
Technology
Site
Structure
Price
SOP
Other Programs
The Future of Solar
Where is the Canadian Solar Industry Going?
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Revision of the Standard Offer Program
Currently ~14 MW PV in Canada,
Currently almost 50 MW have secured
SOCs.
Other Provinces considering a SOP
Everyone present in on the leading
edge of a huge shift toward urban solar
The future is bright for solar!
Thank You!
Question & Comments
To contact OSEA:
416-977-4441 or
info@ontario-sea.org
Roberto Garcia
Member Services
simon@ontario-sea.org