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Renewable energy

Commit yourself to a deeper shade of green with renewable energy. Either go it alone, or get together with neighbours and make it a community project. Here are some tips and resources to get you started.

Want to generate your own electricity?

Participate in the microFIT Program. Get paid for producing your own power and contribute to the development of renewable energy in Ontario. The Ontario Power Authority (OPA) has designed the microFIT Program with a range of participation opportunities.

The micoFIT Program is for projects that will have an electricity generating capacity of 10 kilowatts (kW) or less. For bigger installations, refer to the FIT Program.

Have a look at the City of Toronto’s Renewable Energy bylaw (PDF). This new zoning bylaw permits energy production and distribution using renewable energy devices and co-generation devices on properties.

Check with Toronto Building to ensure you have necessary permits.

What is Community Power?

Community power is green power that is community owned. It is generated in the local area and the power is used by the local community. Additional power may also be fed into the grid for others to use.

The first community owned wind power project in Ontario is the wind turbine at Exhibition Place.

Interested in developing a community-owned renewable energy project in your neighbourhood? Join a community of people in your neighbourhood to build and install a microFIT project that is collectively owned.

The Community Power Fund may be able to assist you.

Learn more about community power from the Green Energy Act Alliance.

Support renewable energy by buying it instead

Not interested in generating your own renewable energy? Sign up for Bullfrog Power and ensure the electricity coming to your home comes from 100% renewable sources.

Solar energy

Consider a solar hot water system for your home or pool. Heating hot water is one of the most efficient ways to use the sun’s energy.

Solar energy incentives:


Natural Resources Canada ecoEnergy for Homes Program
Natural Resources Canada ecoEnergy for Homes Program Solar hot water systems are eligible for Canada’s ecoENERGY Retrofit Rebate program. Please note that the program is no longer accepting bookings for pre-retrofit evaluations, only homeowners who booked a pre-retrofit evaluation by March 31, 2010, can receive an ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes grant.

Ontario Home Energy Savings Program
The Home Energy Savings Program will match the federal ecoENERGY rebate.

More Solar incentive programs

Solar Neighbourhoods

In June, 2008 the City of Toronto and Toronto Hydro launched Solar Neighbourhoods, a pilot program to help homeowners conserve water and energy, and purchase a solar water heater.

Thanks to the enthusiastic response of residents in Wards 29, 30, 31 and 32, Solar Neighbourhoods has now reached its target of 100 systems in their our pilot program area. As a result the Solar Neighbourhoods incentive or financing — due to popular demand, has been sold out. Not to worry - there are still many other incentives for solar available to you.

This program will continue to support for homeowners interested in using the free energy of the sun. Knowledgeable staff can still assist you with selecting a system, securing a building permit and arranging an ecoENERGY assessment.

Learn more about Solar Neighbourhoods.

You may also want to visit the Summerhill Impact Go Solar to learn about Toronto groups that are organizing the bulk purchase of solar energy technologies.

Geothermal energy

Using geothermal energy is another renewable energy option for heating and cooling your home, and it’s eligible for Canada’s ecoENERGY Retrofit Rebate program.

Wind & hydro-electric

Other remarkable, renewable energy technologies include wind and micro hydro-electric. While not always practical for city living, they may be right for a cottage or other recreational property.

More renewable energy resources

Workshops:

To learn more about renewable energy, consider attending one of the Toronto & Region Conservation Authority’s renewable energy workshops,

Publications:

Natural Resources Canada has many publications and incentives related to renewable energy.

Green Energy links:

TREC (TREC Renewable Energy Co-operative
TREC is a developer of community power and renewable energy projects. TREC offers tools, tips and training to help you develop your community power based on their experience in developing WindShare, the wind turbine down by Exhibition Place and SolarShare, a collection of solar PV sites across southern Ontario.

Community Power
Learn what community power is and who is out there making it happen!

Ontario Sustainable Energy Association
This member based organization is engaged in or supporting Community Power projects and renewable energy in Ontario.

Ontario Green Energy Act
Everything you need to know about the Green Energy Act.

Ontario Bill 150, Green Energy and Green Economy Act, 2009
Bill 150 was tabled at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario on February 23, 2009 and passed into law on May 14, 2009.

Feed-in Tariff Program
Ontario's feed-in tariff or FIT Program is North America's first comprehensive guaranteed pricing structure for renewable electricity production.

The Green Energy Dictionary
Look up all green energy terms here!

Toronto Building Permits and Approvals
Check with Toronto Building staff to make sure you have the right information and appropriate permits to install renewable energy systems.

City of Toronto’s Renewable Energy bylaw (PDF)
This new zoning bylaw permits energy production and distribution using renewable energy devices and co-generation devices on properties.

Bullfrog Power
Sign up for Bullfrog Power and ensure the electricity coming to your home comes from 100% renewable sources.

Community Power Fund
The Community Power Fund is a $3 million Fund that will support Ontario-based community organizations pursuing local renewable energy projects.

Summerhill Impact Go Solar
The program provides Ontario residents with the information and links they need to install solar energy systems to heat water or generate electricity.