GuelphToday received the following letter to the editor from Steve Dyck, president of Guelph Solar.
Is Enbridge Working with Doug Ford to make electricity more expensive?
The Government of Ontario recently announced a new $10,000 solar and battery rebate as part of the Home Renovation Savings Program. Although it may look like a bright idea to make life more affordable, the fine print is certain to cast a shadow over solar adoption. While the program appears to provide lower energy costs for Ontario homeowners, its exclusion of solar net metering will undermine its very purpose, tethering Ontarians to fossil fuels at their higher cost.
Think of solar net metering as a two-way street: homeowners generate electricity with solar panels, and when they produce more than they need, they send the surplus to the grid to power their community, earning credits on their hydro bill. It’s a win-win. Without net metering, however, this system becomes a one-way dead end that leads straight back to fossil fuel dependency.
The current proposal, which prohibits net metering for rebate recipients, raises questions about who truly benefits. Is this a genuine push for more local clean power for the people or a veiled effort to keep the fossil gas industry making profits? As it stands, the cost of solar and battery storage is about $0.12/kWh compared to fossil gas peaking power at $0.22/kWh. Yet, eliminating net metering ensures more fossil gas is burned, driving up costs and emissions for all of Ontario. The $10,000 rebate money is being funded by the IESO as part of the Electrical Demand Response and Conservation program.
The Ontario Energy Board that regulates the IESO should require these solar and battery assets that rate payers are paying for are available to reduce the peak load for everyone in Ontario. The OEB would be able to reduce the capital expenses that Hydro One and other utilities invest, and reduce costs to Ontario ratepayers. And yes, the OEB should be choosing and supporting the lowest cost power - not Enbridge's big gas interests.
Eliminating net metering is like asking Ontarians to install a rainwater collection system but then forbidding them from using the overflow to water their community garden. It makes no sense unless you’re in the business of selling water. Ontario should be powered by local technology and reduce dependence on foreign natural gas.
Steve Dyck
President
Guelph Solar
