February 28, 2018
Opening Note from Patrick Bateman, Director of Policy & Market Development, CanSIA
On behalf of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and the Canadian Solar Industry Association (CanSIA), we are inviting you to participate in the 2017 Canadian submission to the International Energy Agency's (IEA) Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme (PVPS). You can find out more about the PVPS program on their website ( www.iea-pvps.org).

NRCan has been collecting statistics on the Canadian PV industry since 1993 including business type, total employment, annual installations and sales.  2017 saw a number of developments across Canada and the information you provide will allow them to present an accurate representation of the changing face of the Canadian solar PV industry.

Surveys will take about 10 - 15 minutes to complete. NRCan requires sales data segmented by solar application type and therefore you may want to review the survey questions prior to responding.

There are two ways to submit a survey response:
  • On-line Survey Option: Complete the manufacturer or distributor online survey.
  • Email Survey Option: If you prefer to complete either the manufacturer or distributor survey in a Microsoft Word document, please request a copy of the respective survey from Rachelle McCann at Compass Renewable Energy Consulting by email: rachelle@compassenergyconsulting.ca
All data collected through this effort will be aggregated and presented without attribution, unless otherwise specified in the survey. In these cases, respondents will have the option to allow NRCan to link responses to their company or to have their responses aggregated.

Thank you for your support for this important initiative.
Please read on for further updates from the CanSIA Executive Team.

Policy & Market Development:
Utilities & Regulatory Affairs:
Policy & Market Development
CanSIA Welcomes 2025 Extension for Solar Energy welcome
The Federal Government continues to build on Canada's national climate action and clean growth efforts with the proposal to extend the Accelerated Capital Cost Allowance (ACCA) for energy efficiency and clean energy technology by five years in the Business Income Tax Measures in Federal Budget 2018.  ACCA is an important tax policy previously scheduled to sun-set in 2020 that enables businesses who make investments in technologies such as solar energy to defer taxation to later years thus enabling them to better manage their energy costs and encouraging them to make lower-carbon investments.
 
"The extension of this important provision will provide certainty for the clean energy sector and a clear signal that the Federal Government remains committed to supporting Canada's transition to a lower-carbon energy future" said John Gorman, President & CEO, Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA).

CanSIA is initiating the Class 43.2 CanSIA Member Forum with the goal to increase the understanding of the ways in which this policy mechanism could support their projects or those of their customers. Please subscribe to the mailing list for further information.

Alberta Infrastructure Procurement for 135,000 MWh Getting Refreshed (Not Cancelled) abinfastructure
On February 22, 2018 Alberta Infrastructure issued an announcement through the Alberta Purchasing Connection website that opportunity "AB-2017-03110" (NEGOTIATED REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (NRFP) for SUPPLY OF SOLAR POWER FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY CERTIFICATES) had been "cancelled". 

Further information concerning next steps from the Department of Infrastructure follows: 

"The initial procurement for solar RECs was the first time government looked at this type of energy procurement. Feedback from industry, continued research and government's very successful first round of the Renewable Electricity Program have indicated there are better ways to procure renewable energy. Instead of purchasing solar RECs exclusively, we are now looking to bundle the purchase of solar electricity with the purchase of solar RECs. We anticipate this to be a more cost effective way to procure renewable electricity.  As this is a significant process change, a new RFP will give all interested energy providers a chance to participate. We are taking the time early in the procurement process to make sure we get this right. Our experience with major projects has taught us that necessary changes to a project are far easier and less costly if made early. We anticipate this new Solar Procurement to be announced by June 2018, subject to continued analysis and preparation, with an estimated 6-month process to reach final award."

NRCan's Emerging Renewable Power Program (ERPP) Application Window Now Open ERPP
NRCan's Emerging Renewable Power Program (ERPP) provides up to $200 million to expand the portfolio of commercially viable renewable energy sources available to provinces and territories as they work to reduce GHG emissions from their electricity sectors.  Demonstration projects are not eligible under this program.  Applications are due by April 20, 2018 and further details are available online.

NRCan's Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities Application Window is Now Open ruralremote
NRCan's Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities is seeking proposals to reduce the reliance of rural and remote communities on diesel fuel for heat and power. The program, which plans to support a suite of diverse projects across Canada, will be evaluated against a range of criteria. Proposals will need to demonstrate local community support and outline the community benefits of the project, particularly for Indigenous communities. The project must fit into streams including:  innovative demonstrations to reduce diesel use through the validation of novel renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy storage, and smart-grid technologies and applications; and deployment of renewable energy technologies for electricity including hydro, wind, solar, geothermal, and bioenergy. Heat may also be produced, but the primary purpose of the project must be electricity production.  The deadline for submission is May 17, 2018 to be considered for funding in the first year (2018-19) of the program and further details are available online.

CanSIA Still Pushing for Ontario Residential & Commercial Solar Program Push
With the Ontario solar industry in transition, CanSIA continues to strongly advocate for an immediate announcement and launch of a solar rebate program through the Green Ontario Fund. By communicating with government and agency officials on a weekly, sometimes daily basis, we are hopeful for a program announcement in the upcoming weeks.

Ontario Launches New Cleantech Strategy cleantech
On February 13, 2018, Reza Moridi, Minister of Research, Innovation and Science launched the new Cleantech Strategy, which will help cleantech companies launch products and services, find new customers, and scale up in a global market that is expected to be worth $2.5 trillion by 2022. This investment is part of Ontario's Climate Change Action Plan and is funded by proceeds from Ontario's cap on pollution and carbon market. Initially, the Strategy will focus on four cleantech sub-sectors: energy generation and storage; energy infrastructure; bio-products and bio-chemicals; and water and wastewater.  Ontario's Cleantech Strategy includes initiatives funded by proceeds from the province's carbon market that support cleantech companies and accelerators, helping them expand and develop new technologies. This includes the Global Market Acceleration Fund (GMAF) and Green Focus on Innovation and Technology (GreenFIT).

Join CanSIA's Solar Communications Member ForumCommsForum
Much of the information online concerning solar and renewable energy is confusing, misleading, and often not to the benefit of advancing the solar industry in Canada. CanSIA recognizes the need to 'set the record straight' by dispelling myths and promote the benefits of solar across our social on behalf of the industry and our Members. Through the efforts of CanSIA's Building Public Support for Solar (BPSS) strategic project, CanSIA is launching the 'Solar Communications Member Forum' to engage Members, amplify key messages by sharing through our networks and enhance our reach to the general public.

To join CanSIA's Solar Communications Member Forum, register for the kick-off webinar which will take place on Thursday, March 29th at 1:00 PM ET, 11:00 AM MT.

Utilities & Regulatory Affairs
AESO releases initial Comprehensive Market Design for Capacity Market marketdesign
On November 23, 2016 the Government of Alberta (GoA) announced its endorsement of the AESO's recommendation to transition from an energy market to a new framework that includes an energy market and a capacity market.  The AESO recommended a capacity market for the following reasons: ensures reliability as Alberta's electricity system evolves; increases stability of prices; provides greater revenue certainty for generators; maintains competitive market forces and drives innovation and cost discipline; and supports policy direction and is adaptable for the future.

Throughout 2017, the AESO engaged working groups and stakeholders in the development of the capacity market design. Three iterations of a Straw Alberta Market (SAM) proposal containing working group design recommendations were developed and posted for stakeholder comment.  To further advance the capacity market design, the AESO has consolidated the SAM work groups from five to three, and will be posting several iterations of a Comprehensive Market Design (CMD) proposal and accompanying rationale documents.

The first iteration of the CMD was published earlier this year and CanSIA has submitted feedback to the AESO that addresses the key concerns of the solar industry which can viewed online.

IESO and OEB Release Implementation Plans: VNM Stakeholder Engagement to begin in March 2018 OEB
Last week, the Ontario Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) and the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) released their plans on how to implement the Ontario Long-Term Energy Plan (LTEP).

The IESO report, Putting Ontario's Long-Term Energy Plan Into Action, describes 10 initiatives, including the Renewable Distribution Generation Demonstration Projects initiative. As per the plan, the IESO states that Virtual Net Metering (VNM) projects will be the focus of the first round of demonstration projects. The VNM stakeholder engagement process is expected to begin in March 2018 with proposals accepted in Q3 2018 and winners announced in Q4 2018. CanSIA will be active in the IESO VNM stakeholder engagement process and will be soliciting comments from members through CanSIA Ontario Net Metering Forum ( click here to join if you are not already a forum member). Other IESO implementation plan initiatives include Energy Storage, Regional Planning Process, Bulk System Planning Process, among others.

The OEB's report, The Ontario Energy Board's Implementation Plan, describes 14 initiatives, including the Distributed Energy Resources initiative. This initiative will focus on enabling distribute energy resources by assessing market opportunities and facilitating those that reduce costs and provide value for consumers, and identifying barriers to the development of distributed sources, such as solar and energy storage. This initiative is projected to begin in 2018 and end in 2020. As more information becomes available, CanSIA will become more active in the Distributed Energy Resources engagement process.

CanSIA will continue to review the IESO and OEB implementation plans for additional opportunities to help strengthen the Ontario solar industry.

AESO explores Future Role of "Dispatchable Renewables" in Alberta dispatchable
The Government of Alberta has tasked the AESO with assessing how dispatchable renewables and electricity storage could benefit the electricity system as it transitions towards 30 per cent renewables by 2030.

The AESO will carefully coordinate this assessment with ongoing capacity market design work and any future Renewable Electricity Program competitions. CanSIA's submission to this consultation is available online.