Solar-power feed tariffs windfall for homeowners

Solar-power feed tariffs windfall for homeowners
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WHAT HOMEOWNERS SHOULD KNOW

Toronto resident Mike Brigham, who has a solar PV system on the roof of his home, says there are a few issues that homeowners should consider before taking the leap into solar:

• There’s much confusion around the need to get a municipal permit before installing a solar PV system. In Toronto, where permits cost $94, the urban planning department has required stamped engineering documents to prove your roof is strong enough to support PV panels. Brigham says there’s an effort underway to streamline the permitting process and possibly eliminate the cost. That could be sorted out by the end of this year.

• Not all insurance companies are created equal. Some won’t have an issue with your new solar panels. Others are more risk-averse and will want you to get additional coverage. Ask questions. Shop around.

• Most local utilities are still grappling with how to connect rooftop solar systems to their distribution lines. “There are two ways to wire a system,” says Brigham. The older way requires the homeowner to set up a second utility account at a cost of $12 to $14 a month, making a solar PV system less economically attractive. Some utilities, however, have figured out a way of connecting the system on one account, avoiding additional charges. The hope is this new connection method will become standard across the province.

• Another big “if” is how the Municipal Property Assessment Corp. will treat your new system. It would be a major deterrent if MPAC decides the technology adds value to your home and your property taxes go up considerably as a result of reassessment. The jury is still out, but the Ministry of Finance is working on a fix.

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