Hello and thank you for your…

Hello and thank you for your commitment to improving energy policy in Ontario.

The West5 Community Net Metering (CNM) demonstration project is a step in the right direction, but further action is required to bring Ontario’s energy policy to where it needs to be to match with other Canadian provinces and neighbouring states in the USA.

As of 2021, 22 states in the USA had legislation in place that supported what is commonly called ‘Community Solar’, which allows for consumers and businesses to purchase their energy virtually after investing in a renewable energy project. Legislation updates to create pathways for more Community Solar are in place in several other states, including Michigan, Ohio and more. As of 2021, there were 39 states with Community Solar projects.

Community Solar allows everyone to access clean power, including those who lack capital to install their own renewable energy system, who rent their homes or who don’t have a roof that is suitable for solar. Community Solar also creates downward pressure on energy prices, keeping life more affordable for the average person.

In Canada, Alberta allows for net metering to happen virtually (off site). This has resulted in billions of dollars of investment in renewables flowing through Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and thousands of jobs created. Nova Scotia has recently legislated “Enhanced Net Metering”, which allows for the energy produced from renewable projects up to 1MW to be shared amongst multiple meters under one account in a single distribution zone.

Ontario needs to catch up.

Furthermore, this action needs to happen quickly to enable the rapid decarbonization of our economy over the next decades, as laid out by governments of all levels.

If we in Ontario are to hit our carbon reduction commitments, energy policy in Ontario needs to stop putting red tape in front of new projects.

We strongly suggest that:
1. There needs to be an application process for new CNM projects, so that property owners, builders, developers and renewable energy contractors can benefit from the opportunities that CNM offers. This needs to happen with utmost urgency.
2. Ontario needs to develop a pathway toward a broader system of virtual net metering. This will create opportunity for business, increased consumer choice, downward pressure on energy pricing and will hasten the adoption of renewable energy sources.