On June 21, 2016, Ontario's Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) issued version 4.0 of the microFIT program. As we detailed in a prior post, the IESO had earlier suspended the previous version of the microFIT program (version 3.3), "to protect the integrity of the microFIT program and consumers."
According to the IESO's microFIT program website, changes to the microFIT program for version 4.0 include the following:
- A new fuel type/price category will be created for solar photovoltaic (PV) rooftop applications that are 6 kilowatts (kW) or smaller. The current 2016 price for solar PV rooftop projects will apply to projects larger than 6 kW. The IESO has published the updated 2016 price schedule, showing the higher price for solar PV rooftop projects less than 6 kW.
- In-series metering will be allowed if permitted by the local distribution company.
- Projects will be required to be connected within 180 days of receiving an Application Approval Notice.
- Requirement for all applicants to provide a signed and notarized declaration confirming they have access to their My microFIT Homepage, understand the microFIT rules, and other aspects of the program.
All prior unapproved microFIT applications have been terminated. Applicants who want to continue to be considered for a microFIT contract will be required to submit a new application under version 4.0. According to the IESO, applications will continue to be allocated towards the 50 MW 2016 microFIT procurement target. Information about capacity available under the current procurement target is found in the microFIT bi-weekly reports – as of June 10th, it appears that there was more than 45 MW remaining from the 2016 annual procurement target.
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