As directed by the Minister of Energy on April 5, 2012, the Ontario Power Authority is reviewing the FIT and microFIT pricing structure for 2013. The OPA is required to review the prices offered to generators under the FIT and microFIT programs on a regular basis to ensure both ratepayer value and a fair return on investment are achieved. To help develop the 2013 pricing schedule, the OPA is asking key stakeholder organizations and associations, representing a wide membership from consumers, developers, generators and distributors, to complete a FIT Pricing questionnaire. Their responses will inform the 2013 price schedule. The Ontario Power Authority (OPA) has asked CanSIA to consult it's members to complete the 2013 FIT Price Review Stakeholder Feedback Questionnaire.

CanSIA has been asked to share this questionnaire with the membership and to compile answers in a submission to the OPA.

CanSIA's submission is due to the OPA on April 10, 2013, therefore we are asking our members to complete the survey by April 4, 2013 for consideration.

Please be advised as part of the CanSIA consultation your feedback and additional insight on pricing is required in the attached excel file (20130326_CanSIA Price Review Spreadsheet).

This spreadsheet may be of assistance in the completion of the online survey. Please find the pricing spreadsheet attached and the online survey at the following link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1SC6Kn6Ckk-yOT5-NkrQQrr0m5tSjyqU6XSHZEf2wXYE/viewform?sid=2e120ea72783e29b&token=k-wEqD0BAAA.-G6DDspgihX9D9T2XkVnSw.9siL0OINoPGwzCRIMLiICw

Do not include mark-up (profit) in your cost details. Please complete this survey online and submit the completed attached excel file (as applicable to the core activities of your business) to: pluukkonen@cansia.ca no later than 5 pm April 4th, 2013.

See OPA Price Review Stakeholder Consultation announcement here: http://fit.powerauthority.on.ca/public-consultation/upcoming-events

CanSIA is pleased to note that SaskPower is fully funding a relaunched Net Metering Rebate as part of its Net Metering Program, which is certain to see a surge in industry activity in Saskatchewan.

For more information click here

Today the Minister of Energy of Ontario issued its latest directive to the OPA regarding the FIT program including new provisions for solar ground mount projects, revised provisions for existing solar FIT contracts affected by changes in solar land use requirements, changes to capacity set-aside provisions, the re-launching of the Community Energy Partnership Program and the Aboriginal Renewable Energy Fund, connection constrained microFIT projects, launching the small FIT application window, and the pilot program for un-constructed solar rooftops.

To read the Directive click here

The microFIT Program is now accepting applications from both pre-existing and new applicants. As part of this microFIT application window, the OPA will begin by awarding 50 MW of projects... (read more)

The complete information can be found here: http://microfit.powerauthority.on.ca/

Ten years after designing and supplying Quebec’s first grid tie solar photovoltaic (PV) & wind power system to the City of Montreal, Matrix Energy announces the completion of another renewable power project for the City.

The latest project was developed with partners Progemes Consultants (now part of Genivar) and Marc Morin Electrique for the City of Montreal’s Ecocentre Lasalle. Matrix Energy assisted in the design and supplied a 4.2 kWp grid tie PV and two (2) Skystream3.7™ wind turbines on 33 foot monopole towers for grid connection. The systems were installed in 2011... (read more)

On March 27th, the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune announced a new incentive program that provides financial support for solar thermal and photovoltaic (PV) installations that offset fossil fuel use.

Although jurisdictions around the world such as Germany, France, Italy and Ontario have adopted popular feed in tariff (FIT) incentive programs for grid connected solar systems, the Government of Quebec has chosen a different type of program. The Programme d’aide à l’installation d’équipements solaires opérationnels (PAIESO) covers up to 50% of the installed cost of solar thermal systems, which utilize solar energy to pre-heat air or water, or up to 75% of solar PV installations for clean electricity generation... (read more)

For more information on this program, as well as publications and forms, please visit the following link: http://www.efficaciteenergetique.mrnf.gouv.qc.ca/solaire

Ontario is moving ahead with its clean energy program, taking immediate steps to ensure the long-term sustainability of renewable energy while creating more jobs, lowering prices and giving communities a greater say.

Following the first review of Ontario's signature Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) Program, the government will act quickly to implement all the recommendations... (read more)

The full report can be found here: http://www.energy.gov.on.ca/docs/en/FIT-Review-Report.pdf

Source: Ontario.ca March 22, 2012 , Moving Clean Energy Forward, Creating Jobs

Matrix Energy Inc finished off 2011 with a bang! The Montreal-based distributor announced the completion of a 14.7 kWp Grid-tied photovoltaic (PV) project with engineering partner BPR and contractor L'Électricité du St-Laurent Ltée on the FX Drolet building owned by Quebec City. It is believed to be the largest PV system tied to 3 phase 600 VAC grid service in the province of Quebec. (read more)

In 2009 Matrix Energy was approached by Laval University’s Centre for Northern Studies (Centre d’Études Nordiques - CEN) in requesting the design and specification of seven grid-tied and six off-grid Photovoltaic (PV) power systems totaling 37.8 kWp. The tenders for the PV systems were developed by engineering consultants CIB Groupe Conseil, and Matrix Energy received an order for equipment supply from Valko Electrique in early 2010. The installations were completed in the second half of 2010 and 2011. (read more)
Read article published on SABMag

Source: SABMag January 2012 , Northern Community Science Centre by Jim Taggart

In recent years the solar energy market has seen extensive growth and undergone massive change. With so much fluctuation in the market landscape it becomes increasingly difficult for end-users to know where they can place their trust; particularly concerning a major purchase like solar energy which requires a long-term return on investment. (read more)

Source: Kyocera News Release

Southwest Windpower now has an on-line site assessment tool called Sitelook, which will allow interested customers to conduct a site evaluation based on their address and their monthly energy use. You can check it out for yourself at: http://www.windenergy.com/assessment.

Only the Certified Skystream dealers will receive an email with the contact information on the qualified lead (s) near their area. Quality ratings are indicated on every email.

Southwest Windpower has had this program active in the U.S. since May and it has already generated over 25,000 hits or approximately 123 per day. Of those, 6,500 have become leads sent out to the local Certified Skystream Dealer for their follow up. The program has just gone live in Canada and there is a French version which can be accessed as well by clicking on the French flag icon.

If you are not a yet Certified Skystream Dealer, you may be interested in attending our Spring Training Seminar in March 28 -31, 2012.

Source: Southwest Wind Power

Matrix Energy Inc. is satisfied with and now vindicated by the decision issued October 31, 2011 by The Honourable Mr. Justice Scott of the Federal Court of Canada concluding that defendant, Matrix Energy Inc, “…did not infringe Conserval Engineering’s Canadian Patent No 1,326,619 patent… by making, designing and selling its own MatrixAir™ system”. (read more)

2010 was a good year for the solar thermal industry in Canada. The total newly installed collector area (brown line) grew by 54 %, from 129,418 to 199,491 m2. Air collector sales (red line) doubled and - for the first - overtook the solar swimming pool market (blue line), which is more or less stagnating. With 150 %, the segment of glazed solar water collectors (pink line) experienced the highest growth, although the 20,000 m2 sold in 2010 make it still a low-level market. (read more) Source: NRC

Matrix Energy is pleased to announce it has designed and supplied five (5) Solar LED lighting systems and a 5.76 kWp rooftop Grid-tie Solar Photovoltaic (PV) system for a LEED certified Rona (Réno Dépôt) building in Vaudreuil-Dorion Quebec. (read more)

OutBack Power Technologies, Inc. has named Matrix Energy Inc. as a member of their exclusive Premier Distributor Program. OutBack’s Premier Distributors earn their status based upon showing their commitment to the solar industry and to the OutBack product line. Additional criteria for Premier Distributors include such criteria as their breadth of product offering, their wide geographic sales coverage, their significant stock of products and their commitment to employee training on OutBack products to allow them to provide excellent customer support. (read more)

A recent survey of the Canadian Solar Thermal Industry commissioned by Natural resources Canada shows continued industry growth in 2010.

Total combined domestic 2010 revenue for Canadian manufacturers of solar thermal systems reached $29.2million, an increase of 37% over the $21.3 million reported in 2009. (read more)

Rising utility costs have made reduction of energy consumption by public housing and multi-family residential housing facilities across North America a top priority of local management agencies. Because more than half of public housing units were built before 1970, and half of public housing are located in the coldest climate zones, achieving energy efficiency objectives in both old and new facilities is a significant challenge. (read more)

Responding to increased demand for Off-Grid Solar Photovoltaic (PV) equipment, Matrix Energy Inc announces it has designed and supplied a 7.4 kWp Stand-Alone PV system for integration into an existing diesel generator power system in central Quebec. This project follows the 17.6 kWp PV system, also for integration into a diesel generator power system, Matrix designed and supplied to the Government of Quebec in 2010. (read more)

Greenpeace urges government to fund development of alternative sources
Click here to read the document on solar energy potential in Quebec(only in French)
Get involved : Click here to send a message to the minister


Source: Greenpeace Canada

September 14 , 2011 Matrix Energy expands its Sales Team in Ontario Tricia Szameit comes to us with a strong background in business development, sales and marketing. Her beliefs that professional reputation is a key asset in the sales process and that true customer service should still exist in today’s business are the basis of her decision to join Matrix Energy. Tricia has been working as a sales account manager for over 15 years with nearly two years’ experience in the renewable energy industry as Inside Sales Specialist and Dealer Support Technician for an Ontario distributor. You can feel confident that Tricia will be able to help you get the job done. Contact her today at 866-630-5630, ext. 7 or by email at tricia@matrixenergy.ca and find out how she can help you grow your business.

To provide our customers more options for the generation and consumption of renewable energy, Nova Scotia Power now offers an Enhanced Net Metering program. The program provides Nova Scotians with a risk-free way to meet their own energy needs from renewable sources while still having the security of being able to draw from the provincial power grid when needed... (read more)
Source: Nova Scotia Power

	June 9, 2011 Ontario FIT Update As microFIT proponents were informed in February 2011, the OPA is offering to extend microFIT conditional offers by up to one year... (read more) Source: OPA - Ontario Power Authority

Matrix Energy will begin shipping the Enecsys™ micro-inverters starting in July 2011. Contact your Matrix Energy representative to learn more and to reserve your product.... (read more)

Matrix Energy, Inc., North America’s premier supplier of solar air heating systems announced today it is supplying its MatrixAir™ Delta rooftop solar air heating system to a major new LEED® Canada for Homes-certified public housing project, showcasing practical, energy-saving green technologies... (read more)

In order to support increasing demand for FIT compliant Solar PV equipment, Matrix Energy recently opened a new warehousing facility in Mississauga Ontario. As a full service wholesale distributor of renewable energy equipment, the company provides professionals, building owners, developers, contractors, dealers and installers with engineered system design, product supply, logistics, training and superior technical support... (read more)

Montreal, January 17, 2011 Matrix Energy ends 2010 on strong note Eight years after designing, supplying and assisting with the installation of Quebec ’s first commercial Grid-tie Solar PV system, Matrix Energy announces a major increase in sales in Ontario in 2010 as compared to 2009. The major increase is largely due to the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) MicroFIT and FIT Programs, which offer attractive payments at fixed rates for solar power generation over 20 year terms. As of January 5th, the OPA announced some 877 MW of executed contracts for Solar PV systems under these programs ... (read more)