MicroFit and Net Metering

[Ross Ch]

I've searched and searched and cannot figure out whether or not the microfit program excludes you from also having a net metering system as well. Does anyone have a definitive answer to this?

We've bought 14 acres out in Clarington (in between Toronto and Peterborough) and we've got big aspirations.

It is my understanding that the property I bought is only eligible for the microfit program, despite its size, because it is considering class 1 agriculture. As such, I'd like to maximize the amount of solar generation on my property while still playing within the rules.

Furthermore, if I have a 10 kw microfit on my house, can I have a 10 kw microfit on my cottage also?

[Ralph Day]

Welcome Ross
I lived off grid before getting a microfit installed. The rules state only 10kw per connection point. I thought that meant 10kw of microfits, but no, it means 10kw of any generation. The plan was to net meter the 2.1kw of pv and 1kw wind turbine from the house system. Not allowed.

I don't think you can have any more than one microfit now. I know of several farmers with multiple properties and installs from the early days, but now it's one person, one install. It might be different if properties were not held in only one person's or couple's name.

If you want to net meter (for whatever reason) you could downsize your microfit so the total connection isn't over 10kw. That didn't make sense to us...to net meter at regular rates and forgo the microfit payout.

The 10 kw limit i think only applies to transformers not on Hydro One's poles. I've seen 2 installs side by side (with a natural severance between them ie road allowance) but they're hooked to Hydro One's transformer on thier poles. Different rules when you make them up yourself.

Not sure what the microfit payout rate is now. Good luck.

Ralph

[Ross Ch]

Thanks Ralph,

It seems odd to me that they consider any generation on the property to count against the microfit cap of 10kw. They obviously can tell the difference between the two as microfit is on a dedicated meter.

Pretty much with the advent of microfit, net metering is essentially dead.

[Ralph Day]

I'm pretty sure it was the initial effort to stop multiple installs by the same person. Still, a bad decision.
ralph

[Rob Beckers]

It's not the LDC that set that 10kW limit rule, it's the OPA: Rule no. 2.1.e limits having a MicroFIT to those with at most 10kW per renewable fuel (not just the single allowed MicroFIT per property, but added to that any other renewable sources of the same type). So, if you want a MicroFIT contract for PV, you're limited to 10kW total of PV on your property. You could have a 100kW wind turbine and still comply, but PV could not exceed 10kW without violating the MicroFIT contract.

I don't think that means net-metering is dead at all. Rather, we're getting near the end of MicroFIT and FIT, as the payback is approaching the point where it's no longer interesting (it still is at the current rates IMO, but another round of price reductions and it'll be over). Once FIT/MicroFIT is out of the (financial) picture, and with the quickly rising electrical energy costs, it's net-metering that should become more and more interesting.

Maybe we'll even get to the point where it makes financial sense to install PV production capacity in excess of one's own use (ie. beyond net-metering). If electricity gets expensive enough where regular wholesale rates make it worthwhile to sell excess PV production to the grid we could see a whole lot of PV getting installed. Clearly we're not there yet, but I don't believe that to be very far off. The lower and lower PV cost vs. the ever rising electricity rates move things in that direction.

Of course, the various LDCs have been trying very hard to dream-up their own rules to limit the installation of electrical production by individuals, and I am sure they will continue to throw new obstructions at this unless they get mandated by a higher authority such as the OPA or the Minister to cooperate.

By the way, the limit of one MicroFIT per individual came after farmers installed many 10kW trackers on their various parcels (since the limit was one MicroFIT per PIN property number). They make out like bandits under the old rate, or at least until they find out how much it will cost to fix those inevitably broken trackers down the road...

-RoB-