The microFIT program helps Ontario meet its Green Energy and Green Economy Act targets by providing a standard pricing regime and simplified eligibility, contracting and other rules for small renewable electricity generating projects. microFIT differs from Net Metering in that the customer gets paid a microFIT contract price for the electricity produced by the generator. At the same time, the customer continues to pay the regulated or market price for electricity used on their premises.
This creates a need for two meters (or accounts), one to measure the amount of electricity supplied to the distribution system and one to measure the amount of electricity used on the premises. microFIT customers are responsible for connection costs and must enter into a 20-year contract with the Ontario Power Authority (OPA). Hydro One specifies the physical connection requirements and pays the generator upon direction from the OPA. The customer must enter a Micro-Embedded Generation Facility Connection Agreement with Hydro One.
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Eligibility
- Projects must generate electricity from wind, solar photovoltaic (PV), renewable biomass, biogas, bio-fuel, landfill gas or water power.
- Projects must be located in Ontario with an installed capacity of not more than 10 kilowatts (kW) and connected to an eligible electricity distribution system in Ontario.
- In some areas of the province, the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) may impose limits on eligible projects because of transmission system constraints.
For more details on rates and requirements for the program, please visit the Ontario Power Authority's website.
Connection Types
1. Parallel Connection
The generator is connected through the customer's existing electrical system and existing connection to the distribution system. This connection is configured with the generator meter and the load meter electrically in parallel. The electricity produced is sent directly into the distribution system. The customer continues to use electricity from the distribution system for their consumption. Customers connected in parallel will be paid the microFIT contract price for all the electricity produced by the generator and their electricity bill will be calculated in the same manner as prior to the installation of the generator. Payment for the microFIT generation is separate from the bill for electricity consumed. |
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Important Information:
Series Connections |
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On May 19, 2010, the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) revised its position on in-series metering. As a result, the OEB has directed distributors not to connect any in-series metering configurations to their distribution system as of that date. All electricity distributors must comply with both Measurement Canada and the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) requirements to connect renewable generation.
In order for Hydro One to comply with both the OEB and Measurement Canada’s directive, applications which indicate an in-series metering configuration connection are no longer being accepted. However, there are two other metering configuration options available to generators:
1. Connect as a parallel connection
2. Connect as a stand alone configuration.
To proceed with the connection of a project using either a parallel or a stand alone metering configuration, please complete Form C and submit it to the Business Customer Centre at dxgenerationconnections@HydroOne.com.
For further information regarding the OEB directive regarding in-series connections, please refer to the OEB website.
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2. Stand-Alone Connection
The generator is directly connected to the grid and is not connected to the customers existing electricity supply. This type of connection requires a separate transformer for the generator. The generator pays all connection costs including the cost of the transformer, as illustrated below.
Follow the steps below to begin connecting your small generation facility to Hydro One's electricity network under the microFIT program:
1. Review the microFIT program information available on the Ontario Power Authority’s website.
2. Complete the microFIT application on the OPA’s website. Once the application is completed, your project will be issued a Reference Number.
3. Receive a Conditional Offer of a microFIT contract from the Ontario Power Authority.
4. Complete the Micro-Generation Connection Application Form (Form C) available on Hydro One's website and submit it to the Business Customer Centre by email, mail or fax. Details are available on Form C. (Please note that the required microFIT Reference Number must be included on the application).
5. Hydro One will contact customers by email with the required documents and payment request for the associated costs of connection.
6. Begin your project installation and apply to the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) for Electrical Inspection.
7. After obtaining ESA authorization to connect, Hydro One will make the necessary modifications for the connection such as the replacement/addition of the meter(s), and the opening of a separate account to record the output of the generator.
8. Hydro One will verify all the required documents, and then communicate to the Ontario Power Authority that your project has been connected.
9. Execute your microFIT contract on the Ontario Power Authority’s website to receive payment for your power generation.
Still have questions?
For further information on connecting a microFIT project to Hydro One’s network, please contact our Business Customer Centre at DXGenerationConnections@HydroOne.com or 1-877-447-4412 (Option #2).