SaskPower shuts off net metering program

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SaskPower shuts off net metering program due to overwhelming demand

[ https://globalnews.ca/news/5926492/sask ... 5iFZnwHjSs ]

September 20, 2019

SaskPower is switching off a program that reduces the cost to homeowners who install solar panels on their roofs.

The Crown corporation has closed the application to join the net metering program, which has reached its 16-megawatt cap.

The program offered rebates for solar panel installations and credits for surplus power.

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SaskPower is reviewing the net metering program to make sure it’s financially sustainable. Until then, all prospective solar customers can do is wait for what’s next.

“Existing customers tied to the grid won’t be affected, but we’ve got hundreds and hundreds of people that are in different stages of the process that won’t qualify anymore,” said Catellier.

“We’ve got a province that is touting a made-in-Saskatchewan climate plan, we’re saying ‘we can do it on our own here,’ and here we’ve got an entire solar industry — 57 companies — that by springtime, many will be out of business.”

The NDP has put forward its own plan to expand renewable energy sources.

The Renew Saskatchewan plan offers loans so solar panels can be installed to buildings and government would collect back the loan over time through the customer’s power bill.

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SASKATCHEWAN SOLAR INDUSTRY IN LIMBO DUE TO SUDDEN PROGRAM CANCELLATION

[ https://www.wascanasolarco-op.com/new-b ... RTI5bJatFI ]

September 20, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Regina, Saskatchewan : After an unexpected announcement Wednesday night from SaskPower that the Net Metering program was nearing capacity, SaskPower announced Thursday that the program has now reached the 16MW cap and will no longer be accepting applications until further notice. The suspension of the Net Metering program has caught the industry by surprise.

“We were not even aware the program was nearing capacity until we received a call from the media requesting a comment to the SaskPower announcement yesterday,” said Josh Campbell, the President of Wascana Solar Co-operative. “Now the program has been suspended until spring 2020 at the earliest. This move effectively shuts down the solar industry overnight. It is unacceptable. People’s livelihoods are at stake as well as the future of many Saskatchewan-based businesses.”

Wascana Solar Co-op is an innovative new cooperative the makes solar power more affordable and accessible for Saskatchewan residents by providing Group Buy opportunities, in which individual applications are combined into a bulk buy and solar vendors compete to win the bid, providing a cost saving to Group Buy members. Wascana Solar Co-op also provides members with local solar projects to invest in and supplies area businesses and organizations with solar power. Neither of these programs will be able to proceed until SaskPower provides more information about the future of this program.

“This is a devastating blow to our cooperative, our members, the Saskatchewan solar industry, the local economy, and our environment,” said Campbell. “It is our hope that SaskPower will re-consider its decision to suspend this program.”