SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC PROGRAM

LAS offers a turn-key solar photovoltaic installation service that enables all municipal facilities with available roof space to take advantage of the new Feed-in Tariff (FIT) Program offered by the Ontario Power Authority (OPA).  LAS will provide interested municipalities with turn-key project deployment that includes:

Solar Array Design & Installation Feed-in Tariff (FIT) Contracts with the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) Other Legal Agreements Connection to the electricity grid A public information kiosk tailored to the municipality’s needs  Interested municipalities can choose from the following three financing options: 1. Joint Equity (Ownership is shared between program managers and host municipality) 2. Sole Proprietorship (Host municipality solely owners installation after program managers install and connect to the grid)   3. Rooftop Lease (Host municipality rents available roof space to the program managers who install, own and operate the panel installation)

Click here to see a brief video overview of our partner Essex Energy and its first municipal Solar PV projects:

The Feed-in Tariff (FIT) program, which is the cornerstone of the Green Energy and Green Economy Act, provides municipalities with a guaranteed 20-year Revenue Stream. The LAS Essex Energy Solar Photovoltaic Program has been designed to take advantage of transmission connection queue-exempt facilities in the following size range:
                Small C&I / MUSH        (10 – 250 kW)  or 100 ft2 to 26 000 ft2 
                Medium C&I / MUSH     (250 – 500 kW)  26 000 ft2  to 52 300 ft2

(Note: Ranges based on average building type on an average site. A feasibility study is first performed to determine the specifics before moving forward with system design)

Why Go Solar?

Reduce energy costs - Reduce utility bills & operating costs Low Technology Risk – Solar technology highly reliable & predictable fuel source Reduce Carbon Footprint – Meet corporate sustainability goals in increasingly carbon-constrained world Safe, Attractive Investment – Comparable to Bond but with higher Solar costs have decreased 10-20%-Decreased costs in silicon, key ingredient for crystalline solar panels; other commodity costs decrease (steel, copper, etc) Green companies have competitive advantage –“Green” companies, products, and services gaining wider appeal to end consumers. Ontario has a great solar resource! See Natural Resources Canada PV Potential Maps for your community For additional educational and economic benefits as well as tips on how to make your municipality a solar community see the DOE Report Solar-Powering-Your-Community-Guide-For-Local-Governments Please fill in the Expression of Interest form and return it to LAS Energy Services Coordinator Scott Vokey (SVokey@amo.on.ca) to learn more about this exciting new opportunity!

Feasibility Assurance Plan

LAS offers the following assurance: our program partners will work with you to determine a mutually agreed upon location for a possible 10 kW ground mount solar array when they perform the Feasibility Study for your proposed location. If your Feasibility Study results in a favourable project and an accepted proposal, our program partners will apply the full amount of your Feasibility Study against the final cost of the installed system. In this case, your Feasibility Study is provided at no cost. With a viable project established, the ownership structure of the solar PV asset (whether it be a lease, 100% ownership model, or a joint equity model) can be negotiated. If your Feasibility Study does not result in a favourable project, the full amount of your study, to a maximum of $15,000, can be applied towards a 10kW ground mount system (which qualifies for the highest tariff rate of $.802/kWh under an OPA microFIT contract).

Should you decide to decline the 10kW ground mount system option, the cost of the Feasibility Study is not recoverable.

Click here for more information about the 10 kW Ground Mount Seasonal Tilt offering.