A Lesson in Solar from a Northern Neighbor

Date: 8 May 2015 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Based on population, Ontario would be the 5th largest state if it were part of the U.S., but its installed solar capacity, 1,500 MW would rank it 3rd. The province has also shut down all its coal-fired power plants. How does a northern province become a solar and climate leader, despite one of the poorest solar … Read More

Report: Expect Delays – Reviewing Ontario’s “Buy Local” Renewable Energy Program

Date: 20 May 2013 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Launched in 2009, Ontario’s “buy local” Feed-In Tariff (FIT) program promised to deliver hundreds of megawatts of new renewable energy and create 50,000 new jobs by the end of 2012. The program has had some notable achievements, and the province has worked hard to remedy some of the remaining roadblocks to success. The bottom line is … Read More

Expect Delays: a Presentation Reviewing Ontario’s “Buy Local” Renewable Energy Program

Date: 20 May 2013 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Ontario’s landmark “buy local” renewable energy Feed-In Tariff program launched in late 2009.  After four years, the program has created thousands of jobs, helped close coal-fired power plants and made energy producers of many Ontarians.  But roadblocks remain, and changes are needed.  The following presentation outlines the program, its goals and accomplishments, and the barriers to … Read More

Watch: Ontario’s Feed-in Tariff Program is a Good Investment

Date: 16 Apr 2012 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

ILSR Senior Researcher John Farrell gave this presentation remotely to the Ontario Power Perspectives conference on April 16, 2012.  He was supposed to be there in person, but he forgot to renew his passport.  The presentation highlights how Ontario’s “buy local” rule, bonuses for community ownership and focus on distributed generation make their feed-in tariff program … Read More

Ontario Feed-in Tariff Prices Drop, Germans Still Far Cheaper

Date: 23 Mar 2012 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Ontario just completed a revision of their landmark feed-in tariff program and rates for renewable electricity generation and prices fell sharply: 30% for solar and 15% for wind power. This continues a trend of falling costs for renewable energy around the world. As a bit of background, Ontario’s feed-in tariff gives wind and solar producers (and … Read More

SolarShare Bonds Help Democratize Ontario’s Electricity System

Date: 10 Aug 2011 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Thanks to innovative energy policy, residents of Ontario can invest in local solar power projects by buying SolarShare bonds. The $1,000 bond provides a 5% annual return over five years and the money is invested in solar power projects across the province (as the chart below shows, this beats a savings account with 0.8% interest or even a 5-year U.S. treasury, with 0.91% interest).… Read More

Ontario Enacts Franchise Disclosure Law

Date: 1 Aug 2000 | posted in: Retail | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Companies offering franchise business opportunities in Ontario will soon have to provide prospective franchisees with key information about their operations. A new franchise disclosure measure, Bill 33, was passed by the provincial legislature in late May. It will become law once the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations drafts rules and regulations for its implementation.… Read More