Proposal: Renewable projects…

Proposal:
Renewable projects that are eligible to connect to the electrical grid and generate electricity under the existing Net metering regulation (Ontario Regulation 541/05) and Section 6.7 of the Ontario Energy Board's Distribution System Code (OEB), will be deemed to satisfy the requirement to demonstrate that there is a demand for the electricity they will generate in order to get a renewable energy approval.
To prove its eligibility under the net metering program, the project developer will need to submit the Distributed Energy Resource Pre-Assessment letter from its Local Distribution Company (LDC), showing the eligible size of the proposed system that can be connected under the Net-metering program.

Rationale:
Net metering is a billing arrangement that allows customers to generate renewable energy onsite for their own use, and to receive bill credits for any surplus electricity sent to the grid.
Project developers interested in participating in the Net Metering program must follow the connection process for Distributed Energy Resources (DER) facilities established by the Ontario Energy Board in the Distribution System Code (Appendix F). The process starts with a capacity inquiry to the LDC, which then issues a DER Pre-Assessment letter specifying the maximum allowed size of the system taking into account existing site electricity usage and the capacity of the distribution network.
By utilizing the already existing connection process established by the OEB and local LDCs, the resulting amendments will help in reducing red tape, provide a simple and efficient way for the Ministry to review the applications and provide businesses, institutions and private citizens a straightforward way to satisfy the new requirement and still be allowed to reduce electricity usage in buildings and homes.