Ontario Feed-in-Tariff Programs

What is the Feed-in Tariff (FIT)?

In 2009, the Government of Ontario launched Canada's first Feed-In Tariff, a new renewable energy program established under the landmark Green Energy and Economy Act and administered by the Ontario Power Authority.

In Ontario, a Feed-in-Tariff (or FIT) is a 20-year contracted rate paid for renewable energy generation. It provides standardized program rules, prices and contracts. Feed-in-Tariffs refer to the specific prices paid to renewable energy suppliers for all of the electricity produced by the generating facility.

What is the difference between the FIT Program and microFIT Program?

Under the Ontario Power Authority FIT and microFIT programs, you will be paid a guaranteed price for all the electricity your installation produces for at least 20 years.

The FIT Program is for projects over 10 kilowatts.

The microFIT Program is for projects under 10 kilowatts and is designed to encourage homeowners, farmers and small business owners to invest in renewable energy.

For more information on FIT or microFIT, visit the Ontario Power Authority website.

Connecting renewable generation to the Guelph Hydro Electric Systems Inc. distribution network

The following is the process to follow for connecting a micro generation facility to Guelph Hydro's distribution system under the microFIT program offered by the Ontario Power Authority (OPA).

1. The customer applies for a microFIT contract with the OPA.
2. The customer submits an Application for Connection to Guelph Hydro.
3. The customer enters into a Connection Agreement with Guelph Hydro.
4. The customer contacts Guelph Hydro's Technical Services Department to schedule a site visit.
5. A Guelph Hydro representative makes a site visit to confirm the location of the micro generation facility and the generation meter to be installed. The Guelph Hydro representative provides the customer with a copy of the Electrical Service Layout.
6. The customer/contractor installs the micro generation facility and applies to the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) for an electrical inspection according to the ESA's Guidelines for Inverter-Based Micro-Generating Facility.
7. The ESA provides Guelph Hydro with the electrical inspection "Connection Authorization."
8. Guelph Hydro sets up a new customer generation account and installs the new generation meter.
9. Guelph Hydro informs the OPA that the connection has been made.
10. The customer enters into a microFIT contract with the OPA.
11. Once the OPA notifies Guelph Hydro that the microFIT contract has been executed, Guelph Hydro commences settlement of the new generation account at the microFIT contract price.

Questions?: Email: microfitprogram@guelphhydro.com

Photo compliments of Canadian Solar, Guelph.