Guelph-Eramosa Mayor Chris White says a request from the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) for blanket municipal support of solar projects anywhere in the township is “crazy” and “unacceptable.”
The rest of council was equally unimpressed with the OPA request, which was outlined in a report from clerk Meaghen Reid on Nov. 19.
In August, Guelph-Eramosa council provided in-principle support for a 330 kilowatt rooftop solar energy system at a business owned by Coldpoint Properties on Whitelaw Road near Guelph (municipal support helps applicants receive priority points under the OPA’s Feed-in Tariff [FIT] program).
“Since that time, [the company] has notified the township that they have been advised by the administrators of the FIT program at the Ontario Power Authority that the municipal blanket support resolution is required in order for their project to be approved,” Reid wrote in her report. But councillors were adamantly opposed to the resolution, which states the township “supports without reservation” the construction and operation of rooftop and ground-mounted solar projects “anywhere” in the municipality over the next year.
“There’s no way that FIT can demand this,” said councillor Doug Breen. He later added, “No one is getting blanket approval for anything – ever.”
Councillor Corey Woods said the request is just another hurdle placed in front of those seeking a FIT or MicroFIT solar contract from the OPA.
“They want you to do it, but they’re making it so difficult that you can’t do it,” said Woods.
Breen said OPA officials are more likely seeking the appearance that they want to encourage solar projects.
“It’s good politics but bad business,” Breen said of the FIT program.
White said he does not have an issue with most rooftop solar projects, but there is some concern with ground-mounted units. As such, he said asking for blanket approval for both makes little sense.
“This is crazy,” the mayor said. “This is unacceptable.”
White noted another decision by the OPA – to remove the community component of the MicroFIT program – has all but killed the proposed 5kW solar project at the Eden Mills Community Hall.
Charles Simon, one of the locals involved in the Eden Mills application, expressed some frustration with the OPA and its “silly” decision to remove the community category. But he stressed there has been no definitive decision on the Eden Mills project.
“We’re hoping that OPA will see the light,” Simon told the Advertiser.
Council voted unanimously to defer the OPA’s blanket approval request and file it as information.
