Price for small electricity projects to be announced - Ontario

[applegrove]

Energy plan to be unveiled March 21
Price for small electricity projects to be announced
Province to set terms for selling power to the grid
Mar. 10, 2006. 01:00 AM
TYLER HAMILTON
BUSINESS REPORTER


"Communities, farmers and schools will learn on March 21 how and at what price they'll be able to sell renewable energy from wind, solar, biogas and small hydro projects back to the provincial grid, the Toronto Star has learned.

Sources say Premier Dalton McGuinty and Energy Minister Donna Cansfield will announce at that time details of Ontario's long-awaited Standard Offer Program.

That program will establish fixed-priced contracts for small power producers that want to sell the clean electricity they generate to the province — anyone from community co-ops that want to install wind turbines to farmers that are producing energy from cow dung and crop waste.

The contracts typically last for 20 years, and give small power producers the right to interconnect to the electricity grid. Currently, small producers of renewable energy can send surplus energy to the grid but they don't get paid for it.

.....SNIP"

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1141944645406&call_page=TS_Business&call_pageid=968350072197&call_pagepath=Business/News&pubid=968163964505

[applegrove]

1. Imagine Solar power panels on school roofs! Probably very safe!!

But likely better in places with less than 100 days of smog.

[DBoon]

2. Panels still do well with smog and other light overcast

light overcast just scatters the sunlight, but doesn't block much of it.

I'm speaking as a solar-paneled homeoner in smoggy (and often lightly overcast) LA.

[applegrove]

3. Cool. Thing is that schools are already connected to the grid - so adding

their power will cut costs and save them money. They also have huge amounts of secure space (on their roofs). Especially if they are rurual or suburban schools. And maintenance personel who are already on staff. Sounds win, win to me.

Excellent for you to do this. Keep spreading the word.