How does FIT fare?

The Feed-in Tariff (FIT) program was created in 2009 to develop and accelerate the adoption of renewable energy in Ontario. It almost instantly became a point of controversy for those in the renewable energy value chain. Our latest white paper, “Feed-in tariffs: Accelerating renewable energy project development in Ontario” assesses the impact of domestic content, financing models, network capacity and policy barriers on this program.

The report addresses the major issues surrounding the renewable energy community through the lens of the renewable project developer.

The primary sources of research for this report are project developers because they are an essential part of the successful implementation of renewable projects. They coordinate all aspects of a project such as: land surveys, environmental assessments, construction and ongoing operation. Renewable project developers constantly interact with other players in the value chain and are acutely aware of the opportunities and challenges that have arisen from the new FIT policy.

In the report, you will find:

• Helpful figures describing the main milestones required to achieve commercial application status for large-scale projects
• Steps for community groups to follow to finance and connect their micro-FIT systems to the grid
• An overview of the authorities involved in the implementation and development of this program and their responsibilities

The report also helps shed light on the gaps or inadequacies in the program and applicable technologies. These issues represent opportunities for entrepreneurs who have not previously been a part of the renewable energy industry.

Finally, I hope this report will provide you with valuable insights about the current status of what has been called North America’s most comprehensive and best-graded FIT program.

If you would like to know more about the FIT program and/or get involved, visit the Ontario Power Authority website: www.powerauthority.on.ca for more details.