On July 17, 2019 the Federal Government launched the Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) Project stream , which is a sub-stream of the Climate Action Incentive Fund (CAIF) . This follows the Government of Canada's announcement in May 2019. This program can help companies reduce their energy costs and take action to reduce pollution.

Please read on for further updates from the CanSIA Team. 

Policy & Market Development: 

• Alberta Commits to Energy-Only Market
• City of Edmonton Launches Residential Solar Rebate Program
• Alberta Announces TIER Consultation
• IESO Halts Efforts on Incremental Capacity Auction
• Federal Government Announces Stringent Natural Gas-Fired Generation Regulations
• Ontario Changes Siting Restriction Regulations for Solar PV Generation Facilities
• AESO Hosting Energy Storage Roadmap Session
• Nova Scotia Communities to Explore 3MW Solar Gardens Project and REsidential Solar and Storage Initiative
• Ontario Government Posts Emissions Performance Standard
• Nova Scotia Launches Solar Education Program

Utilities & Regulatory Affairs:

• AUC Activities and CanSIA Participation Update
• OEB Initiates Important Solar and Energy Storage Regulatory Proceedings
• Lunenburg Electric Utility to Offer Net-Metering Program 

• CanSIA Hiring New Director of Policy and Regulatory Affairs

On July 24, 2019, Alberta Minister of Energy, Sonya Savage, announced that Alberta's electricity system will be returning to an energy-only market, effectively halting the implementation of the Capacity Market. CanSIA is supportive of this decision, which is consistent with our advice submitted as part of the 90-day review period. CanSIA looks forward to participating in future engagements related to Alberta's wholesale electricity system.

The City of Edmonton is helping its residents install solar systems on their homes to produce renewable energy. Recently, the City of Edmonton launched its Change Home for Climate - Residential Solar Rebate Program which will offer eligible participants $0.40/watt towards the cost of a solar PV system. CanSIA members are eligible as qualified solar providers under the program. For more program details click here .

Alberta Environment and Parks Minister Jason Nixon, Energy Minister Sonya Savage and Agriculture and Forestry Minister Devin Dreeshen announced  an Alberta-wide consultation with respect to the new Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) system, which is expected to come into effect January 1, 2020. The TIER system is expected to replace the current Carbon Competitiveness Incentive Regulation and would require large emitters to meet prescribed emissions intensity levels by reducing emissions, using credits or offsets, or paying into a TIER fund. CanSIA is participating in this round of consultations , with submissions due by August 2, 2019. CanSIA is coordinating participation in this process through the Alberta Solar Market Development (ASMD) strategic project.

On July 16, 2019 the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) announced that it will stop all work on developing the Incremental Capacity Auction. The Market Renewal Program will now solely consist of reforms to the wholesale electricity market through the implementation of a single schedule market, day-ahead market and enhanced real-time unit commitment. That said, the IESO is moving forward with the Transitional Capacity Auction and will continue to evolve the capacity auction mechanism over time.

On June 28, 2019, the Federal Government announced new regulations that will put a price on carbon for the electricity sector. The regulation will send a clear signal to investors related to new build natural gas-fired generators. For example, the original natural gas-fired generator regulations started at 420 t/GWh and has now been reduced to 370 t/GWh. It will stay at 370 t/GWh for existing plants but for new builds over 50 MW the threshold starts at 370 t/GWh and decreases linearly to 0 t/GWh in 2030. Click here for full details on the updated regulation. This measure will ensure that electricity generation carbon emissions are internalized in the cost of production, helping to level the playing field with renewables, such as solar energy and wind energy, which offer a clean, reliable and competitive alternative to fossil fuels.

These regulatory changes were in large part due to advocacy efforts led by a coalition of renewable energy associations through CanCORE (CanSIA, CanWEA, WaterPower Canada, and Marine Renewables). The Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement released by the Federal Government, noted that that "the non-emitting sector and ENGOs recommended a long-term signal for new investments in electricity generation to shift toward lower emissions intensity electricity generation over time, i.e., an output-based standard for new gas generation facilities that ramps down from 370 t of CO2e/GWh to 0 t of CO2e/GWh in 2030. The Department recognizes that, over time, new electricity generation capacity should come from non-emitting sources and agreed to implement this recommendation."  

On August 7, 2019, the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) will host an information session to provide an update on the development of the energy storage roadmap that sets out a plan to facilitate integration of energy storage in Alberta. The information session will also include the AESO's flexibility roadmap. To participate in person, please RSVP to AESO by email at [email protected]. CanSIA is coordinating participation in this process through the NEXUS strategic project.

The Alternative Resource Energy Authority - which represents a partnership between the towns of Antigonish, Berwick and Mahone Bay - is exploring the development of a 3MW solar garden in each community. The Authority received funding from the Province of Nova Scotia to conduct a feasibility study. The Town of Antigonish has selected a brownfield site - the former landfill located in the Brierly Brook area. For more information click here .

 

Furthermore, the Town of Berwick is a recipient of the Power Forward Challenge. The $3.2 million project, funded by Natural Resources Canada, will explore an innovative business model that couples solar PV, battery storage, and energy efficiency upgrades for residential users. Those efforts will provide a pathway for utilities to increase electrification and deliver deep greenhouse gas reductions. The Town of Berwick is partnering with Equilibrium Engineering (Kentville, NS), StorTera (Scotland, UK) and Dalhousie University's Renewable Energy Storage Lab to develop an intelligent energy storage system. The project will increase the market uptake of renewable energy, save customers money and provide value to Berwick Electric - the electricity grid operator. For more information, click here .

On July 5, 2019,  the Government of Ontario posted its decision with respect to Industrial Performance Standards. In summary, Ontario is proceeding with Ontario's Emissions Performance Standard and complementary reporting amendments to ensure polluters pay their fair share for their greenhouse gas emissions, while also ensuring the industry continues to make advances to help Ontario achieve its share of Canada's 2030 target.

The Nova Scotia Government, in partnership with Solar Nova Scotia and with participation from CanSIA, is launching a campaign to inform homeowners across the province about residential solar PV. Solar Nova Scotia will receive $55,000 from the Low Carbon Communities Program to deliver a province-wide awareness campaign called the Discover Solar Initiative. Solar Nova Scotia will host a series of public presentations designed to help solar businesses save time and money by answering questions from customers. For more information on the Discover Solar Initiative, including times and locations, click here.

The Community Generation Working Group (CGWG), consisting of CanSIA, First Nations Power Authority and the Alberta Community & Co-operative Association filed a submission on July 17, 2019 to Module One of the Alberta Utilities Commission's (AUC) Distribution System Inquiry (Proceeding 24116). Information requests are due to parties on August 7, 2019, and Module One of the proceeding will conclude with a technical conference at Red Deer College September 10 to 12, 2019.

The AUC is collecting stakeholder feedback on Rule 007, Applications for Power Plants, Substations, Transmission Lines, Industrial System Designations and Hydro Developments. Specifically, the AUC is seeking comments on Indigenous consultation; end-of-life management for power plants; emergency response plan; time extension applications for power plants; notification and participant involvement program; solar glint and glare assessment; shadow flicker; review of buildable area concept for wind development; and battery storage. General comments are due August 13, 2019. CanSIA is coordinating participation in this process through the Alberta Solar Market Development (ASMD) strategic project.

The AUC commenced a Reducing Regulatory Burden Engagement. The key areas of focus for the consultation include AUC rules or procedural steps that may have become outdated or unnecessary, and opportunities to streamline and improve regulation and adjudication processes. Submissions are due August 23, 2019 and the AUC will also be hosting a roundtable on October 4, 2019. CanSIA is coordinating participation in this process through the Alberta Solar Market Development (ASMD) strategic project.

 

The AUC is continuing stakeholder engagement on the Small Scale Generation Regulation by engaging project developers. As part of the consultation, the AUC is conducting a Developers survey, with responses due August 14, 2019. A round table meeting will be held August 20, 2019. Individuals seeking to participate should RVSP to [email protected] by Friday, August 9, 2019. CanSIA is coordinating participation in this process through the Alberta Solar Market Development (ASMD) strategic project.

On July 17, 2019 the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) issued a kick-off letter for Utility Remuneration and Responding to Distributed Energy Resources (EB-2018-0287 and EB-2018-0288, respectively). The OEB will be hosting a stakeholder meeting starting on September 17 and 18, 2019, for the purpose of hearing from stakeholders on certain foundational questions, including: objectives of the Utility Remuneration and Responding to DERs initiatives;  specific problems or issues should each initiative address; and principles should guide the development and selection of policy options. CanSIA is coordinating participation in this process through the NEXUS strategic project.

On June 25, 2019, the Lunenburg Electric Utility was granted permission by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board to offer a net metering program for their customers. The utility encompasses residents from the Town of Lunenburg and parts of the surrounding rural municipality - the District of Lunenburg. Residents within the service district will now be able to participate in Efficiency Nova Scotia's SolarHomes Program. Similar to Nova Scotia Power, excess self-generation, over a customer's own-consumption needs, is credited against purchased energy for billing purposes over a period of one year. Any surplus generation remaining at the end of a one-year period will be purchased by the Town at a rate equivalent to the rate paid by the customer for electricity supplied by the Town.

CanSIA has begun the hiring process for a new Directory of Policy and Regulatory Affairs. This role will be responsible for working to advance the growth of the solar energy and energy storage markets across Canada consistent with CanSIA's strategic objectives. 

To view the full job description, click here. If you or anyone you know might be the right fit for this position, please email your CV and a short 300-400 word essay describing why Canada should seek to capitalize on its solar energy and energy storage opportunity and the actions that need to be taken to do so, to [email protected].