June 28, 2019
CanSIA launches Strategic Projects for the 
2019-20 membership year
CanSIA knows that many of its members want to play an active role in shaping the business environment for solar and energy storage 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.
 
Nexus:
There is disruptive change occurring in electricity markets around the world and throughout Canada. At the center of this transformation are a) Customers; and b) Rapidly evolving technologies. Nexus is designed to be the industry's most prominent initiative to develop a meaningful and robust renewable energy plus energy storage sector across Canada, initially with a focus on Ontario and Alberta.
 
Nexus will place an emphasis on advocating for a legislative, policy and regulatory framework that removes customer obstacles to adopting energy management solutions and more easily allows private sector capital to accelerate customer adoption . To learn more about the Nexus project 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 opportunities 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. Furthermore, ASMD will focus on enabling market-driven solar investments, including the adoption of behind-the-meter solar and opportunities for bi-lateral contracting.
 
Targeted outcomes include an a) effective new Technology Innovation and Emissions Reductions (TIER) regime (e.g., ability to generate carbon offsets); b) effective wholesale market design, including changes to the wholesale market (e.g., Capacity Market or future changes to energy market); c) reduce red-tape and regulatory burden leading to reduced costs; and d) effective regulation to value benefits of distribution-connected projects. To learn more about ASMD project targeted outcomes click here.
 
Power for the People (P4TP):
This fresh new initiative, Power for the People is CanSIA's digital grassroots mobilization campaign. The purpose of this Ontario focused campaign is to build public support to encourage the Government of Ontario to introduce regulations that will make solar more affordable and accessible, thus growing the Ontario solar market. The campaign will raise awareness among individuals, families, farmers, as well as small and large businesses across Ontario (and eventually, the rest of Canada) about the many benefits of solar, including how solar can provide consumers with more options to lower their energy bills.
 
The campaign's digital platform makes it easy for Ontario residents to send customizable emails to their local Members of Provincial Parliament. This allows individuals to tell their own stories to elected officials. To date, 2,000 individuals in ridings across Ontario have signed up to the campaign, with almost 500 emails sent to MPPs across party lines. To learn more about the P4TP project targeted outcomes click here.
 
Contact Julie Mair, Manager of Membership and Business Development, at Julie@cansia.ca or 1-866-522-6742 ext. 230 to learn more about how your company can participate in the 2019-20 Strategic Projects.
Please read on for further updates from the CanSIA Team. 

Policy & Market Development: 
Policy & Market Development
UPDATE: Federal Government Climate Action Incentive Fund, Solar Energy EligibleCAIF
On May 30, 2019, the Federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna, announced the launch of the Climate Action Incentive Fund (CAIF) to create jobs, grow the economy, help businesses save money, and fight climate change.
 
CanSIA has been informed by the Government of Canada that they expect fund details will be released and the application process will start in late July or August of 2019. CanSIA will continue to update members as more information becomes available.
 
As background, under the CAIF program, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ontario, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and New Brunswick - the four provinces where the federal price on pollution applies - could be eligible to receive up to 25 percent of their energy efficiency project costs with funding ranging between $20,000 and $250,000. Eligible projects include building retrofits, improved industrial processes, cleaner transportation, fuel switching, and the production of renewable energy, including solar energy projects. Funds available through the CAIF for SMEs in 2019-2020 will come to a total of $150 million, based on the percentage of carbon revenues collected within each province: $102 million in Ontario, $30 million in Saskatchewan, $13 million in Manitoba, and $5 million in New Brunswick. To access the Federal Government News Release, click here.
EEA Announces Non-Approved RCSP Applications will not be ProcessedEEA
Energy Efficiency Alberta (EEA) recently informed applicants and stakeholders that Residential and Commercial Solar Program (RCSP) applications that have not been approved, will not receive approval as the program is now fully subscribed and the program budget has been allocated. Therefore, if applicants have not received a Part 1 approval on their application, it will not be approved, and there is no waitlist.
 
If a project has already been approved (e.g. the applicant received an approval confirmation via email from the RCSP delivery team stating the application status Part 1 is "verified"), the application will continue to be processed for payment. The process to receive this incentive remains as outlined in the EEA program terms and conditions
 
In response to recent EEA announcements, CanSIA has launched the new Alberta MicroGen Member Caucus and Network, chaired by Geoff Domenico of KPC Energy. The caucus will focus on developing policy and regulatory recommendations and supporting government relations plan to advocate on behalf of the MicroGen sector in Alberta. The first meeting will take place 2 PM MT, July 4, 2019. To sign up and learn more about the Alberta MicroGen Caucus or Network please click here.

CanSIA Submits Ontario Industry Electricity Pricing RecommendationsOntarioIndustryPricing
On June 11, 2019, CanSIA made a submission to the Ontario Government Consultation on Industrial Electricity Pricing. In coordination with CanSIA's Nexus strategic project, Power Advisory and Compass Energy Consulting prepared a detailed submission which recommended continuation of the Industrial Conservation Initiative (ICI) for Class A customers with an expansion for additional optionality provided to both Class A and Class B customers.
Nova Scotia Solar Electricity for Community Buildings Program Opens Final RoundNSElecforcommbuildings
The Solar Electricity for Community Buildings Program is now accepting applications until August 9, 2019 for its third and final round. The program enables eligible community groups and organizations to generate up to 75kW of solar PV electricity on their roofs or properties and sell it to their utility under a 20-year contract. The program is for Mi'kmaw communities, registered non-profit or charitable organizations, municipalities or organizations owned by municipalities, universities or community colleges in Nova Scotia. For more information, including how to apply, click here.
Ontario Government Cabinet ShuffleONCabinetShuffle
On June 20, 2019, Premier Doug Ford announced a cabinet shuffle . Of note to the Ontario solar industry, Greg Rickford remains the Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, and is now supported by a new Associate Minister of Energy, Bill Walker. Along with several other changes, Rod Phillips becomes the Minister of Finance, Jeff Yurek becomes the Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks and Vic Fidelli becomes the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade and Chair of Cabinet. CanSIA continues to engage with the government on matters of importance to members, such as third-party ownership of net metering, electricity pricing and rate design, and red-tape reduction.
Nova Scotia Policy and Advocacy HighlightsNSPolicyhighlights
On June 17, CanSIA hosted its inaugural meeting of the Nova Scotia Member Caucus at the Halifax Central Library. For a copy of the presentation outlining completed projects, initiatives and ongoing work, click here.
 
On June 12, CanSIA presented to the Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative Caucus. For a copy of the presentation, click here.
 
On June 25, CanSIA presented on the topic of "Green Jobs" to the Nova Scotia Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development. For a copy of the presentation, click here.
Utilities & Regulatory Affairs
CanSIA Active in Alberta Regulatory ProceedingsARP
On June 21, 2019, CanSIA submitted final arguments   to the AUC's proceeding on ISO rules to implement the capacity market (Proceeding 23757). CanSIA and Pembina contributed to final arguments prepared by ENMAX, which were also supported by the Energy Storage Canada Coalition and Consumer's Coalition of Alberta. Reply arguments are due on June 28, 2019.
Furthermore, the Community Generation Working Group (CGWG), consisting of CanSIA, First Nations Power Authority and the Alberta Community & Co-operative Association continues to work towards the July 17, 2019 deadline for comments on Module One of the Alberta Utilities Commission's (AUC) Distribution System Inquiry (Proceeding 24116) which focuses on technology that will affect the grid and incumbent electric distribution utilities.
Alberta Launches 90-Day Review or Alberta's Electricity Market, CanSIA Makes Submissionninetydayreview
On June 14, 2019 Energy Minister Sonya Savage issued a statement about the Alberta Government's 90-day review of Alberta's electricity market system. CanSIA is coordinating with the Canadian Wind Energy Association with a recommendation to retain the energy-only market without a capacity market. Click here to view CanSIA's submission made on June 28, 2019.
OEB Provides Update on Regulatory InitiativesOEB
On June 19, 2019, the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) issued a letter  providing an update with respect to the status of its policy and regulatory initiatives during the transition to the new governance structure ( per Bill 87 ). Of interest to CanSIA members, the OEB plans to continue with consultations on Utility Remuneration (EB-2018-0287) and Responding to Distributed Energy Resources (EB-2018-0288), including a review of the Distribution System Code and Connection of Distributed Energy Resources. However, matters related to pricing and rate design have been put on hold until after the transition period, such as Rate Design for Commercial and Industrial Customers (EB-2015-0043) and "Smarter" Electricity Prices (EB-2016-0201), including Examination of Alternative Price Designs for the Recovery of Global Adjustment Costs from Class B Consumers in Ontario.
 CanSIA News Update
New Conference Event Launched and a Clarification on Two Distinct CanSIA and CanWEA PursuitsETC
As you may have read yesterday, Hannover Fairs (Canada), the Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA) and the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) have partnered to create an exciting new event.  Electricity Transformation Canada  will take place November 9-12, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario. This annual conference will replace the separate solar and wind energy conferences, resulting in one combined and expanded annual event which will create efficiencies for exhibitors and attendees alike.

To avoid any possible confusion, we wish to stress to our members that this partnership between Hannover Fairs (Canada), CanSIA and CanWEA is limited to the production of the Electricity Transformation Canada event. The new conference is distinct from, and not contingent upon, the exploratory process that CanSIA and CanWEA are jointly undertaking regarding the potential for the formation of a multi-technology association that would involve solar energy, wind energy and energy storage. Regarding this exploratory process, as we have mentioned in past correspondence, our members will continue to be kept informed and fully engaged. The next step is for the two Boards to come to an agreement on a proposal that can be presented to members early in the fall of 2019. That would trigger a formal consultation process with members, followed by a vote by members, later in the fall of 2019, on whether to proceed with the formation of a multi-technology association.

Any members who have questions regarding either the new event or the proposed multi-tech association are encouraged to reach out to us at info@cansia.ca .
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 Julie Mair, Membership and Business Development Manager, to learn more about how your company can participate in CanSIA's Strategic Projects.