Ontario's Hydro One Net metering program..anyone signed up?

kenora · 03-17-14, 06:53 PM

I am thinking of using net tied system (as above) for my home/garage in Kenora.
I am curious what the experience was like dealing with HydroOne as a homeowner (or did a company like solar solutions do that; and if so what was that experience like).
I was thinking of a less than 10KW system as this seems the least restrictive. and staying grid tied...
big question given the money involved in setting up a grid tied system am I better off spending "more" and severing the umbilical altogether and using a stand alone system independent of the grid.
I am VERY new to this and only have questions at this point and no one local (other than a commercial Co whom I have not approached yet) to ask questions of...
I don't know what my load would be as yet but am working hard at bring all electrical loads down as the HydroOne bill is brutal.

Thanks in advance

Mikesolar · 03-17-14, 07:13 PM

Are you speaking of the MicroFIT program (39.5cent/kwh) which buys all your power through a second meter OR a net metering system where the one meter moves back and forward depending on how much power you use/generate?

kenora · 03-17-14, 08:24 PM

Truth is I'm not sure which one... any thoughts

Mikesolar · 03-18-14, 05:18 AM

well, there are major hassles with Hydro when doing the MicroFIT (they don't like a regulator telling them what to do) and there is at least $2000 in extra costs to do a new service, you are not allowed to have a PV charged battery backup as part of the system (no one seems to know why this is the case).

On the other hand, at your rates, it is a 10% ROI with a 20 year supply contract which is not bad. I just hooked up a 10kw system, yesterday, and we watched the Sunnyboy inverter chug away. The guy made $2 in the first 10 minutes.

kenora · 03-18-14, 06:18 PM

I spoke to a local solar designer/supplier today who indicates he has lots of experience in the NW Ont area.

He recommended a MicroFIT system indicating a current 8% ROI...

(now just to be clear cause I'm just a hillbilly at heart

does that mean it will take about 12 years to recover my capitol cost (12x8=96%) then its $$$ in the bank for me since the system is paid for but continues to generate positive cash flow...

like I said...lots of questions..

Mikesolar · 03-19-14, 05:01 PM

Absolutely. The current cost for many of the installers is about $4-4.20/w installed, turn key. This should be a 10% ROI, give or take.

03-17-14, 06:53 PM	#1
kenora Lurking Renovator Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Kenora, ON Canada Posts: 26 Thanks: 21 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Ontario's Hydro One Net metering program..anyone signed up? I am thinking of using net tied system (as above) for my home/garage in Kenora. I am curious what the experience was like dealing with HydroOne as a homeowner (or did a company like solar solutions do that; and if so what was that experience like). I was thinking of a less than 10KW system as this seems the least restrictive. and staying grid tied... big question given the money involved in setting up a grid tied system am I better off spending "more" and severing the umbilical altogether and using a stand alone system independent of the grid. I am VERY new to this and only have questions at this point and no one local (other than a commercial Co whom I have not approached yet) to ask questions of... I don't know what my load would be as yet but am working hard at bring all electrical loads down as the HydroOne bill is brutal. Thanks in advance

03-17-14, 07:13 PM	#2
Mikesolar Master EcoRenovator Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Toronto Posts: 958 Thanks: 40 Thanked 158 Times in 150 Posts	Are you speaking of the MicroFIT program (39.5cent/kwh) which buys all your power through a second meter OR a net metering system where the one meter moves back and forward depending on how much power you use/generate?

03-17-14, 08:24 PM	#3
kenora Lurking Renovator Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Kenora, ON Canada Posts: 26 Thanks: 21 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Truth is I'm not sure which one... any thoughts

03-18-14, 05:18 AM	#4
Mikesolar Master EcoRenovator Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Toronto Posts: 958 Thanks: 40 Thanked 158 Times in 150 Posts	well, there are major hassles with Hydro when doing the MicroFIT (they don't like a regulator telling them what to do) and there is at least $2000 in extra costs to do a new service, you are not allowed to have a PV charged battery backup as part of the system (no one seems to know why this is the case). On the other hand, at your rates, it is a 10% ROI with a 20 year supply contract which is not bad. I just hooked up a 10kw system, yesterday, and we watched the Sunnyboy inverter chug away. The guy made $2 in the first 10 minutes.

03-18-14, 06:18 PM	#5
kenora Lurking Renovator Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Kenora, ON Canada Posts: 26 Thanks: 21 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I spoke to a local solar designer/supplier today who indicates he has lots of experience in the NW Ont area. He recommended a MicroFIT system indicating a current 8% ROI... (now just to be clear cause I'm just a hillbilly at heart does that mean it will take about 12 years to recover my capitol cost (12x8=96%) then its $$$ in the bank for me since the system is paid for but continues to generate positive cash flow... like I said...lots of questions..

03-19-14, 05:01 PM	#6
Mikesolar Master EcoRenovator Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Toronto Posts: 958 Thanks: 40 Thanked 158 Times in 150 Posts	Absolutely. The current cost for many of the installers is about $4-4.20/w installed, turn key. This should be a 10% ROI, give or take.