May 31, 2018
Opening note from CanSIA President, John Gorman
Solar Canada 2018 on June 20 & 21 at the BMO Centre in Calgary is now only 3  weeks away!
 
Canada's energy sector is evolving more rapidly than ever before. As a nation, we are working hard to tap new markets for traditional energy resources while rapidly expanding renewable resource innovation and development. It is this backdrop that makes this year's conference, and its location in Calgary, so timely and so critically important.
 
We are thrilled to be welcoming keynote speakers from the three Canadian provinces whose electricity systems are due to change the most throughout the next decade as they phase-out coal-fired electricity and phase-in non-emitting options such as solar energy:
  • The Honourable Sandra Jansen, Minister of Infrastructure, Government of Alberta
  • The Honourable Iain Rankin, Minister of Environment, Government of Nova Scotia
  • Tim Eckel, VP Asset Management, Planning & Sustainability, SaskPower
The quality of this year's roster of expert and thought leader speakers is by far the best yet, demonstrating the increasingly central role that CanSIA is playing bringing together key voices and stakeholders in our transition to a low-carbon energy future. My personal highlights are too many to mention - here are a selection of just a few speakers that you should not miss:
  • Christopher Clack, Chief Executive Officer, Vibrant Clean Energy LLC
  • Monica Curtis, Chief Executive Officer, Energy Efficiency Alberta
  • Bernadette Del Chiaro, Executive Director, California Solar and Storage Association
  • Dennis Frehlich, Senior Strategic Advisor, Alberta Electric System Operator
  • David James, Assistant Deputy Minister, Electricity & Sustainable Energy, Alberta Energy
  • Autumn Proudlove, Lead Author of "50 States of Solar" Quarterly Reports
  • Merran Smith, Executive Director, Clean Energy Canada
CanSIA Members receive a significant discount to attend the conference. Please register online to support your industry's trade association and to ensure your seat in the room as Canadian solar industry history is made.
Please read on for further updates from the CanSIA Executive Team. 

*UPDATE NOTE: Please note that the story Nova Scotia Opens Applications for 2nd Round of "Solar Electricity for Community Buildings" has been corrected and updated. 

Policy & Market Development: Utilities & Regulatory Affairs:
Policy & Market Development
Alberta Minister of Infrastructure to Deliver Keynote Address at Solar Canada 2018Alberta

We are excited to welcome The Honourable Sandra Jansen, Alberta Minister of Infrastructure as our most recent keynote speaker addition. Minister Jansen will lead Solar Canada's opening keynote address and provide updates on the procurement process and timelines related to Alberta's intent to procure 135,000 MWh per year of solar electricity to meet more than 50% of their annual electricity demand. 

Learn about Minister Jansen and other reasons to attend Solar Canada

GreenON Solar Rebate Program AnnouncedGreenONrebate

On May 1, 2018, the Ontario Government announced the GreenON Solar Rebates Program. Administered by the Green Ontario Fund, the GreenON program is expected to launch in Summer 2018 and is intended to help homeowners and businesses fight climate change and install solar panels and solar energy storage. 
 
Rebate Incentives: The 20 MW residential solar PV program will provide $1.00 per watt for eligible projects while the 50 MW commercial solar PV programs will provide $0.75 per watt for eligible projects. Residential energy storage rebates are also available; $1.50 per watt for a combined solar plus storage. Commercial solar thermal air projects are eligible for an incentive up to $26 per square foot. Additional information regarding the GreenON solar rebate program can be found here.
 
Industry Reaction: Although CanSIA and the industry is very excited about the solar rebate program, CanSIA also understands the industry's frustration as the announcement lacks many details and effectively puts the industry on 'hold' as we wait for the official launch of the program in Summer 2018. CanSIA is strongly advocating to government stakeholders that the GreenON program launch as quickly as possible to take advantage of the prime solar installation season.
 
Projects Under Construction: Net metering projects currently under construction are in limbo due to the uncertainty around whether these projects will be eligible for the rebate program. CanSIA has posed this question to GreenON, in additional to many other questions brought forward by the industry and hopes to get answers from GreenON soon which will then be shared with members.
 
Solar and Storage Contractor Requirements: As part of the eligibility requirements, homeowners and businesses must have their solar and/or storage system installed by a registered GreenON contractor. GreenON is still in the process of finalizing the solar contractor requirements. CanSIA expects the contractor registration process to launch and the qualifications to be posted in the second of half of June 2018. Solar companies interested in taking part as a registered contractor are encouraged to sign up here for additional information and alerts.
 
CanSIA continues to communicate regularly with GreenON on behalf of the industry to help ensure that solar companies get the information they need and to advocate for the launch of the program as quickly 

Nova Scotia Opens Applications for 2nd Round of "Solar Electricity for Community Buildings"NovaScotia

Applications for the second round of the Solar Electricity for Community Buildings Pilot Program will open on June 4th and close on June 29th, 2018. Recent changes include the limit raised to 75 kW and modified program limits for distribution of funds. All changes to the program can be found in the regulations and in the Program Details Document and in the updated website. Attend Solar Canada 2018 to attend a keynote address from Nova Scotia, Minister of Environment, the Honourable Iain Rankin.
The City of Edmonton is One Step Closer to Going 100% RenewableEdmonton
Lights, power outlets and electric buses owned by the City of Edmonton could all someday run on renewable energy after councillors endorsed a plan to go green Tuesday. It is expected that an analysis of options and the procurement strategy for this 300,000 MWh of annual electricity demand could be completed by the City by early 2020. CanSIA will engage with City Staff as they develop and implement their strategy.

CanSIA Makes Submission to NERSC Request of InformationNERSC

On May 4, 2018 CanSIA made a submission to the IESO's Non-Emitting Resources Subcommittee regarding their request for information to better understand how non-emitting resources, like solar energy, can participate in current and future IESO markets. Solar industry input to the NERSC's RFI is important as the IESO continues Market Renewal activities which aims to reform the electricity market, creating new challenges and opportunities for solar PV development and operations.
 
CanSIA's submission, which was meant to compliment information that the IESO may have received from individual solar companies, focused on existing distribution-connected resources with IESO contracts. Furthermore, CanSIA's submission provided information on solar technology and solar project capabilities and barriers to participation of the existing IESO contracted solar fleet in the broader IESO-administered markets, as well as future markets that are being contemplated by the IESO.

CanSIA Hiring Policy and Regulatory Affairs Manager for Atlantic Canada Region Hiring

With support from the Nova Scotia Department of Energy, CanSIA is creating a new position within the organization, being a Policy and Regulatory Affairs Manager, located in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The new role will be responsible for helping to grow the solar market in Nova Scotia and throughout Atlantic Canada. 

If you are interested in this position and want to learn more, please contact CanSIA's HR consultant, Shane DeCoste at Shane.DeCoste@ExpressPros.com .
Utilities & Regulatory Affairs

Ontario Ministry of Energy posts new regulations related to Net MeteringMinistryofEnergy

The Ontario Ministry of Energy recently posted regulations related to solar net metering:
 
 
The siting requirements are expected to be in force as of July 1, 2018. The net metering regulations, which includes the enabling of Third-Party Ownership (TPO), and consumer protection regulations are not expected to be in force until October 1, 2018. As CanSIA understands it, the delay in the TPO regulation is because Ontario Energy Board will require additional time to develop and implement a retailer licence for solar electricity retailers.
Alberta Utilities Commission's Distribution-Connected Generation Report Released AlbertaUtilities
The Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC)'s final report from the Distribution-Connected Generation Review (proceeding 22534) was released by the Government of Alberta on May 28. CanSIA is currently reviewing the contents. Fino Tiberi, Executive Director of Market Oversight and Enforcement with the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) will deliver a pre-conference workshop on the findings of the proceeding at Solar Canada 2018 on June 22.

Compliance Options under the Federal Output-Based Pricing SystemCompliance

Industries in Canada that are covered by the federal carbon pricing system will have an emissions limit. If they are above this limit, they will need to pay the carbon price, or use certain credits. Environment & Climate Change Canada has released a paper that lists the proposed rules on which types of credits are allowed and are asking for feedback by July 6, 2018. CanSIA will be continuing to collaborate with our partners in the Canadian Council on Renewable Electricity (CanCORE) to ensure that the interests of the renewable electricity sector are well represented in this consultation.

IESO Releases Initial VNM Pilot Program Documents and Webinar TimelineVNMPilot

The IESO recently posted its draft " VNM Call for Applications Guidelines" in addition to its " Response to Stakeholder Feedback" document. The IESO plans to post additional documents, being the draft application package and the draft contribution agreement in mid-June.  Once these documents are posted, the IESO plans to schedule a Webinar in early July, to discuss the complete set of draft documents (i.e. Application Guidelines, Application Package and the Contribution Agreement). Following the webinar, the IESO will provide approximately two weeks for stakeholders to submit comments on the complete package of draft documents. For more information on this initiative, please visit the IESO RDGI Fund Engagement page.
 
CanSIA will continue to participate in the VNM Pilot Program consultations and will engage with members accordingly.  

CanSIA Makes Submission to OEB Modernization PanelOEB

On May 7, 2018 CanSIA made a submission to the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) Modernization Panel. The panel is tasked with reviewing how the OEB can continue to protect consumers amidst a rapidly changing sector, support innovation and new technologies, and how the OEB should be structured and resourced to deliver on its changing role. Following the a consultation process the OEB panel will examine best practices from other jurisdictions and report back to government by the end of 2018.

Alberta Requirements for Reclamation of Renewable Energy DevelopmentsReclamation

The Government of Alberta has responded to concerns from many over the need to have provincial requirements for the reclamation of renewable energy developments (wind, solar, geothermal) in Alberta. Recently, the Conservation and Reclamation Regulation has been amended to enable Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) to develop standards, guidelines, and criteria associated with conservation and reclamation activities for renewable energy operations. The department is working on draft requirements to address conservation and reclamation for renewable energy operations. CanSIA will be engaging and consulting with Members as the process and timelines become clear.
2018-2019 Strategic Projects
CanSIA launching new Strategic Projects for the 2018-19 membership year
CanSIA knows that many of its members want to play an active role in shaping the business environment for solar in Canada. To that end, CanSIA's Strategic Projects are designed to align with and leverage the strategic objectives of our member companies.

CanSIA has identified the following three strategic projects for the upcoming membership year which will help drive sustainable demand for solar energy across Canada.

Advancing Solar Technology Regulations in Ontario (ASTRO):
The Ontario solar electricity industry is now operating within a more market-driven and regulation-based context. The aim of the Advancing Solar Technology Regulations in Ontario (ASTRO) project is to work collaboratively with Ontario government departments and energy agencies to strategically position and implement existing and forthcoming electricity sector regulations to a) grow the Ontario solar electricity market, and; b) improve solar electricity economics. To learn more about ASTRO's targeted outcomes click here.

Alberta Solar Market Development (ASMD):
The aim of the Alberta Solar Market Development (ASMD) Strategic Project is to capture increasing near-term and long-term market opportunity for solar energy in Alberta's electricity supply-mix and to support the development of the policy and regulatory framework that can enable project development.   This 1-year project will build upon CanSIA's past market development initiatives in the province of Alberta to work toward existing policy commitments, giving rise to near-term solar market opportunities and a path to a sustainable long-term role for solar in the provinces' future electricity needs. To learn more about ASMD's targeted outcomes click here.

Building Public Support for Solar (BPSS):
Leveraging last year's Building Public Support for Solar (BPSS) efforts, this initiative will focus on growth of market opportunities for solar energy through increased public demand. BPSS aims to educate the public on the benefits of solar energy and demonstrate how they can get involved with the solar programs in their region with a trusted CanSIA Member organization. Increased public awareness and demand will be channeled into multi-partisan support for solar energy - informing political leaders and decision makers of the importance of solar energy. To learn more about the BPSS's targeted outcomes click here.
Getting Involved

Members at the Corporate 1, Corporate 2, and Supporter 1 levels are eligible to become Influencers by funding and participating in Strategic Projects. Influencers receive a number of exclusive benefits that are not available through traditional membership and, above all else, access information that can be applied to strategic business planning.

Contact Lisa Hatina , Business Development and Member Relations Manager, to learn more about how your company can participate in the 2018-19 Strategic Projects.