June 29, 2016
Launch of CanSIA's New Consumer Protection Initiative
CanSIA has launched a new Consumer Protection Initiative with the aim of increasing consumer confidence and enhancing industry professionalism, thus contributing to the long-term growth and sustainability of the solar industry throughout Canada.

After extensive consultation with our membership, CanSIA, released these new member policies, processes, and resources, which provide consumers who are evaluating the decision to go solar with additional confidence when dealing with CanSIA members versus non-CanSIA members, because of our members' adherence to these policies. In order to accomplish these goals, CanSIA released the following materials which can be accessed on the CanSIA Consumer Protection page:
  • Going Solar: A Guide for Consumers
  • Solar Business Code of Conduct
  • Complaint Resolution and Disciplinary Process
These resources will be amended as required in order to keep pace with evolving industry practices and new business models. Members interested in actively participating in the ongoing development of these resources and improving the industry's consumer protection practices are encouraged to sign up for CanSIA's Consumer Protection Forum through CanSIA's Members-Only Portal. If you would like to participate in webinars and forums but are not yet a member, please contact us to discuss your membership options. A Members-Only webinar was held to present the initiative to members and review the new resources that have been introduced. Members can access the details and recording of the Consumer Protection Initiatives Webinar.

Members are required to pledge their commitment to consumer protection by agreeing to and complying with the new Solar Business Code of Conduct and Complaint Resolution and Disciplinary Process. To adhere to this requirement members can complete an agreement form which is accessible here.
                                                                             
 Market Intelligence 
Join the Discussion on Distribution-Connected Solar in Albertaforum
Earlier this month, CanSIA launched the Alberta Distribution-Connected Solar Forum whose scope will be policy, program, regulatory and technical considerations for all solar electricity generation connected at the distribution-level in the province. The forum will facilitate member engagement on two consultation processes initiated by the province and now underway:  i) Energy Efficiency and Community Energy consultation and stakeholder engagement led by the Energy Efficiency Panel and ii) "Micro-Generation and Small-Scale Community Generation" led by the Department of Energy.

A final submission on the regulatory and technical elements of the Micro-generation consultation is due by Friday July 8th. Within the tight timeline we have been given, CanSIA will work with our members to refine its submission. CanSIA and has been preparing for this consultation for a long time and is very well-positioned to make a strong submission.

The Alberta Distribution-Connected Solar Forum will meet by webinar on Thursday June 30th at 2pm ET.   Webinar attendees will receive a briefing on the consultation scope, process and timelines and to examine potential recommendations that CanSIA could make to transition solar toward a more meaningful role in Alberta's electricity supply-mix.  Participant feedback will be solicited to shape CanSIA's submission.

CanSIA Members can access the Member Forums page through the Members-Only Portal to learn more about the forum and to join.

CanSIA Network Webinar Resources: Consumer Protection Forumwebinar
CanSIA's latest webinar focused on the newly introduced consumer protection initiatives including the new Solar Business Code of Conduct and Complaint Resolution Process which were launched on June 13, 2016. The new Going Solar: A Guide for Consumers document was also covered in the webinar. Ben Weir, Director of Policy & Regulatory Affairs, discussed how these initiatives are being implemented to maintain a focus on consumers by providing them with clear standards to which CanSIA members will adhere in the conduction of their business, as well as expanded resources to which they can refer when evaluating the decision to go solar.

CanSIA members can access the recording and slide deck of this webinar through the Members-Only Portal.
 
All members will be asked to fill out a form signaling their agreement to the new Solar Business Code of Conduct and Complaint Resolution and Disciplinary Process. Please visit the Consumer Protection Initiative Members-Only Page to access and fill out the form.


NRCan's New Map of Clean Energy Resources and ProjectsNatural
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), one of the main repositories of research and analytics on renewable energy in Canada, has released their new Map of Clean Energy Resources and Projects (CERP).

Now, at the click of a button, you can find out where clean energy projects are located and how much clean energy resource potential exists across the country. The CERP map is an interactive web platform composed of several map layers including, the renewable energy potential of wind, solar, hydro, river current, tidal and wave energy, as well as the location of clean power generating facilities, carbon capture and storage (CCS) facilities, clean energy test centers, clean energy RD&D projects as well as, aggregate small-scale and distributed generation capacity across Canada.

With the official launch of the CERP map by Minister James Carr at the seventh Clean Energy Ministerial held in San Francisco, you can now learn about Canada's vast clean energy resources and projects by clicking here.

Networking & Profile Building Opportunities  
Solar Drinks are back in Toronto!Drinks
Date: Tuesday, July 12, 2016
Time: 5:30 - 8:30 PM
Location:
Alleycatz - 2409 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M4P 2S7
Register here!

The beloved 'Solar Drinks' has returned to Toronto. Join in this monthly opportunity for solar professionals to meet, greet, drink, and network! The next event will be held at the hip AlleyCatz Restaurant Lounge on Tuesday, July 12.

If you have a local networking event that would be of interest to professionals working in the solar industry, let us know and we would be more than happy to help you promote it.

CanSIA Members save up to $600 when exhibiting at Solar Canada!exhibit
The Solar Canada Annual Conference & Exposition will take place December 5th - 6th, 2015 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and will convene thousands of attendees and hundreds of exhibitors representing the entire industry.

The industry has long been readying for solar to expand across Canada and now is a pivotal time to position your company front and center at CanSIA's annual trade show:
  1. Canada's new federal government is committed to accelerating renewable energy through new policy initiatives including a commitment to making Canada the most tax-competitive jurisdiction for investment in cleantech in the world.
  2. In 2016, Ontario will award almost 500 MW of long-term contracts for small, medium and large installations (solar installations in Ontario will create the equivalent of over 12,000 jobs and the industry will invest over $5.5 billion in Ontario between 2010 and 2020).
  3. Western Canada's solar market is about to grow rapidly with Alberta committing to tripling its electricity from renewable resources from 10 to 30% and Saskatchewan doubling its capacity from renewable resources by 2030 from 25 to 50% and starting to procure 60 MW of utility-scale solar in 2016.
Click here to learn more about Solar Canada and exhibiting opportunities.

CanSIA Members at the Corporate 1 and Corporate 2 level receive a significant discount on their Solar Canada exhibit space.

 Event Discounts
Solar West - Last Chance Register at the 'Summer Promo Rate' before July 1st west
With new policies that address climate change and economic diversification, the Canadian western provinces provide a unique opportunity for renewable energy companies, particularly solar energy.
  • HEAR First-hand about new policies and market dynamics evolving in Western Canada.
  • CONNECT and network with policy makers from all levels of government, solar energy professionals and other stakeholders.
  • LEARN about the new market opportunities for the solar industry through the evolving policy and market dynamics in Western Canada.
Register before July 1st at the 'Summer Promo Rate'. CanSIA members save up to $100! Register here today!
APPrO 2016 CHALLENGE + CHANGEAPPRO
Join The 28th Annual Canadian Power Conference & Networking Centre on November 15 & 16, 2016 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Hear the industry's top experts pinpoint their key issues. Participate in the interactive panels and discussions. Check out the Power Networking Centre featuring select exhibiting sponsors, along with dedicated, unique and diverse networking opportunities.

CanSIA Members can access discounted rate through Members-Only Portal.

Solar Power Internationalpower


Solar Power International is one of the largest gatherings of solar installers, manufacturers, and energy storage professional for four days of networking and thought leadership - join for September 12-15, 2016, in Las Vegas.

CanSIA members can access their exclusive discount through the Members-Only Portal.

Business Opportunities  
Request for Proposals by the Independent Electricity System Operator RFP
This Request for Proposals is an invitation by the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) to prospective Proponents to submit proposals for providing support in the development of a strategy to guide its investments in energy efficiency innovation for an initial term of approximately two and a half months, with the option to extend the term for additional two months.

Click here to learn more about this exciting opportunity.

The Canadian Trade Commissioner Cleantech Program - applications due tomorrow CTA

CTA Cleantech is a virtual program connecting Canadian entrepreneurs to US customers & global strategic partners.

CTA Cleantech is a 10-week program run by the Consulates General of Canada in New York and San Francisco that helps high growth potential clean tech companies in: green chemistry/advanced materials; energy/water data analytics and management; clean energy; clean transportation and mobility; smart grid; and consumer engagement.

They're looking for Canadian Cleantech entrepreneurs with a drive to accelerate their growth in the US and globally!

The deadline to apply is tomorrow. Click here to find more information and the application form! 

Canada Green Corps Employment OpportunityGreen
Canada Green Corps (CGC) is a results-focused, work-integrated learning program that is designed to bridge talented, yet un- and underemployed Canadian youth to meaningful employment in Canada's emerging green economy.

CGC participants possess a range of academic backgrounds - such as business, finance, marketing and engineering - that can immediately assist partner organizations in carrying out their operations more effectively. By hosting a CGC participant, partner organizations receive an approximate 50% wage subsidy based on an average wage of $17/hour. CGC participants bring a fresh perspective to organizations, often finding innovative and more efficient solutions to "the way we've always done it". The six-month work placement offers a convenient trial period to assess how much potential a recent graduate has. It's also an opportunity to carry out a new social media campaign, catch up on a project that has been put on the backburner, or free up some of time of more senior staff.

CGC placements will begin during the last week of September and first week of October.

For more information, please contact Scott Bohachyk at scott.bohachyk@unac.org.
 

Already a CanSIA member? Ensure your company profile information is up to date. Have your account administrator log into the Members-Only Portal and click on the "Organization Profile" tab where you can view, update and save all of your company information.

  

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