iSolara’s Response to the OPA Price Adjustment
On July 2nd the Ontario Power Authority proposed a drastic pricing adjustment to the MicroFIT program. The sudden and unexpected change applies solely to the ground mount solar systems, reducing the price to be paid from 80.2 cents per kW-hour to 58.8cents per kW-hour. There is a 30-day review period for this proposal.
I am writing to you on behalf of our company to share with you how iSolara is dealing with the situation. Despite the proposed change in pricing we remain committed to this market. We have invested significantly to provide a set of high quality product offerings to our customers. We have grown our staff, invested in new facilities and equipment and expanded from Ottawa into Kingston. We will not abandon our customers nor our partners.
First, we believe that the OPA decision to propose a new price point is based upon inaccurate costing data. We are providing information to them as part of the consultation process to get them to reconsider. From all accounts this action is being mirrored by many other suppliers to the industry. The results will be made known after the August 3rd close of their response process. We will keep you up to date on any developments on that front.
Secondly, we believe that OPA has acted unfairly by retroactively requiring applications made prior to July 2nd to be resubmitted at the new rate. Those were good faith applications and many applicants started their projects believing they fully met the technical requirements as laid out by OPA in October. We have written this week to Premier McGuinty, Minister Duguid, cabinet ministers and the Chair of OPA, asking them to restore confidence in the program by honouring those pending applications at the documented price points in effect at the time of submission. There is considerable pressure building to correct this wrongful action and I would like to enlist your help to win this point.
We invite you to let the OPA know that the retroactive change of pricing is not acceptable. Please send emails to: MicroFIT@powerauthority.on.ca and use subject line: “MicroFIT ground mount price”. Please copy your email to Premier McGuinty (dmcguinty.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org) Brad Duguid, Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure bduguid.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org and your MPP.
I am looking forward to a positive conclusion within the next 45 days.
Regards,
Warren Abar, P.Eng
President, Isolara Solar Power
613-738-2646
www.isolara.com
wabar@isolara.com
