Solar Prices Drop -- Blood Pressure Rises - Ontario Agriculture2024-03-29T09:15:27Zhttps://ontag.farms.com/forum/topics/solar-prices-drop-blood?commentId=3646443%3AComment%3A5797&feed=yes&xn_auth=noOntario Solar Network is plan…tag:ontag.farms.com,2010-07-21:3646443:Comment:58782010-07-21T13:05:23.000ZJoe Daleshttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/JoeDales
Ontario Solar Network is planning a townhall meeting to discuss what can be done about the price changes etc..<br />
<br />
Here is the link from the OntAg Events Calendar.<br />
<br />
Joe<br />
<br />
<a href="http://ontag.farms.com/events/ontario-solar-network-to">http://ontag.farms.com/events/ontario-solar-network-to</a>
Ontario Solar Network is planning a townhall meeting to discuss what can be done about the price changes etc..<br />
<br />
Here is the link from the OntAg Events Calendar.<br />
<br />
Joe<br />
<br />
<a href="http://ontag.farms.com/events/ontario-solar-network-to">http://ontag.farms.com/events/ontario-solar-network-to</a> Looks like OFA is going to fi…tag:ontag.farms.com,2010-07-15:3646443:Comment:57972010-07-15T01:34:46.000ZRoadrunnerhttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/Roadrunner
Looks like OFA is going to fight this change in price....<br />
<br />
<br />
OFA: Government Can't Rewrite the Deal.<br />
<br />
By Paul Wettlaufer, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture<br />
<br />
Faced with a 27 per cent cut in price on a contract with the Ontario Government for the production of green energy, Ontario farmers question the management of the program and the intent of the government on green energy.<br />
<br />
When the government announced its plans to promote and use green energy, farmers lined up to produce solar…
Looks like OFA is going to fight this change in price....<br />
<br />
<br />
OFA: Government Can't Rewrite the Deal.<br />
<br />
By Paul Wettlaufer, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture<br />
<br />
Faced with a 27 per cent cut in price on a contract with the Ontario Government for the production of green energy, Ontario farmers question the management of the program and the intent of the government on green energy.<br />
<br />
When the government announced its plans to promote and use green energy, farmers lined up to produce solar energy. Then, without warning, the government announced changes to the deal already signed.<br />
<br />
Government developed a green energy incentive for ground mount solar and quoted a reasonable price, farmers penciled it out and signed up, leading the way in Ontario's green energy revolution.<br />
<br />
For reasons that make no sense whatsoever, the government on July 2 announced it was withdrawing its offer and substituting a lower price. Thousands of hours of research, work with banks, work with contractors, is all for naught for approx 11,000 applicants.<br />
<br />
The price was right and now its not.<br />
<br />
Not only is this a serious blow to farmers who were willing to make this investment but it could be the death knell for the green economy.<br />
<br />
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture will be lobbying the province to ‘grandfather’ all applications submitted up to July 2 for the original quoted price.<br />
<br />
Our members have made significant investments in solar infrastructure based on the deal they thought they had with the province. A 27 per cent cut in the price paid for that energy will mean an unacceptable loss.<br />
<br />
Honoring the price offered to the applicants who have already made significant investments can be the only accepted outcome.<br />
<br />
This is not only devastating to farmers, it jeopardizes the futures of green energy manufacturers.<br />
<br />
Cancelled projects will mean lost investment from farmers and loss of future sales of solar equipment.<br />
<br />
With this change Ontario will lose millions of dollars in new manufacturing opportunities; lose hundreds of manufacturing jobs; municipalities will forego<br />
<br />
millions of dollars in tax revenue; and once again Ontario’s rural economy suffers a "gut shot".<br />
<br />
This has shaken the confidence of rural Ontario and investors everywhere.<br />
<br />
What's the next rug that will be pulled out from under us on the green energy file?<br />
<br />
The designers of the deal understood the economic benefits and spinoffs in jump starting the green economy. The ones trying to tear it down need to recognize the economic damage.<br />
<br />
We will be calling on all OFA members to contact their MPPs. We will seek their support of our plan to grandfather the originally-stated rate into all applications submitted up to July 2, 2010.<br />
<br />
Farmers have shown good faith and leadership with their involvement in the green energy industry. Now is not a good time for the government to start rewriting the deals. A little different than the P…tag:ontag.farms.com,2010-07-10:3646443:Comment:57272010-07-10T02:40:10.000ZRoadrunnerhttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/Roadrunner
A little different than the Pigeon King....the government is the customer and they distribute the electricity to consumers....we will need energy and clean energy - solar makes sense in theory. Because it is so new I think big mistakes can be made...I would rather see the government take a hit for stimulating a new industry with some extra revenue to farmers than have a lot of nice farmers get whacked financially because the Ont Govt thought they were overpaying for clean energy...
A little different than the Pigeon King....the government is the customer and they distribute the electricity to consumers....we will need energy and clean energy - solar makes sense in theory. Because it is so new I think big mistakes can be made...I would rather see the government take a hit for stimulating a new industry with some extra revenue to farmers than have a lot of nice farmers get whacked financially because the Ont Govt thought they were overpaying for clean energy... Why does the "Pigeon King" co…tag:ontag.farms.com,2010-07-07:3646443:Comment:56722010-07-07T03:03:31.000ZJohn Schwartzentruberhttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/burnt
Why does the "Pigeon King" come to mind?
Why does the "Pigeon King" come to mind? I agree with you Andrew. A 60…tag:ontag.farms.com,2010-07-06:3646443:Comment:56682010-07-06T18:05:49.000ZJoannhttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/JoannVergeer
I agree with you Andrew. A 60 page agreement, I can imagine, has plenty of wiggle room in it. I can well imagine there will be more surprises in the future.<br />
<br />
Many people questioned how the government can afford paying 80 cents to produce hydro only to turn around and sell for 9 cents.<br />
<br />
When one looks up the definition of "ponzi scheme" and "pyramid scheme"....... one wonders if the whole solar bandwagon is a hybrid of the two.<br />
<br />
Our provincial government shows little to no respect towards…
I agree with you Andrew. A 60 page agreement, I can imagine, has plenty of wiggle room in it. I can well imagine there will be more surprises in the future.<br />
<br />
Many people questioned how the government can afford paying 80 cents to produce hydro only to turn around and sell for 9 cents.<br />
<br />
When one looks up the definition of "ponzi scheme" and "pyramid scheme"....... one wonders if the whole solar bandwagon is a hybrid of the two.<br />
<br />
Our provincial government shows little to no respect towards agriculture and the latest stunt amplifies the contempt they have towards farmers. The truth is even though they…tag:ontag.farms.com,2010-07-06:3646443:Comment:56642010-07-06T14:14:53.000ZGo Solar Canadahttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/GoSolarCanada
The truth is even though they are paying 80.2 cents it doesn't mean that is what it is costing them.<br />
1. Distributed Generation, generates the power where it is needed without large power losses in the resistance of the wire ove long distances, I have heard that this can be up to a 30% loss from nuclear, coal or Hydro plant to your home<br />
2. Job creation, part of the money put into the coffers to fund this program was for job creation in the much needed manufacturing sector<br />
3. Dept repayment,…
The truth is even though they are paying 80.2 cents it doesn't mean that is what it is costing them.<br />
1. Distributed Generation, generates the power where it is needed without large power losses in the resistance of the wire ove long distances, I have heard that this can be up to a 30% loss from nuclear, coal or Hydro plant to your home<br />
2. Job creation, part of the money put into the coffers to fund this program was for job creation in the much needed manufacturing sector<br />
3. Dept repayment, Would you rather pay a larger Dept repayment charge one the new nuclear reactors that are built and once again 40% over priced ( that's a lot of money on a 20 billion dollar expenditure.)<br />
4. Your Hydro is already subsidized, Would you rather have the subsidy or would you rather give it to the big businesses so they can pad their executives pockets.<br />
<br />
Do you still think 80cents is to high This is mainly for individual…tag:ontag.farms.com,2010-07-06:3646443:Comment:56612010-07-06T13:57:09.000ZWayne Blackhttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/WayneKBlack
This is mainly for individuals who bought and installed on their own. Farmers who have a signed contract will still get the 80.2 cents from my understanding. It is the ones who, like has been stated, waiting to check things over with a fine tooth comb, that will be disadvantaged. The technology has not improved that much in the last 30 days to account for the big drop in price.<br />
As with any government program - it will change... and not likely for the best.<br />
The bigger projects (over 10 kW) will…
This is mainly for individuals who bought and installed on their own. Farmers who have a signed contract will still get the 80.2 cents from my understanding. It is the ones who, like has been stated, waiting to check things over with a fine tooth comb, that will be disadvantaged. The technology has not improved that much in the last 30 days to account for the big drop in price.<br />
As with any government program - it will change... and not likely for the best.<br />
The bigger projects (over 10 kW) will be on a different price structure (and much lower than 80 cents).<br />
<br />
<cite>Graham Dyer said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://ontag.farms.com/forum/topics/solar-prices-drop-blood?page=1&commentId=3646443%3AComment%3A5657&x=1#3646443Comment5657"><div>What kind of contracts did Farmers have with the developers...with this price drop - do people need to continue to install and pay for a solar project even though revenue has dropped by 30% ??</div>
</blockquote> What kind of contracts did Fa…tag:ontag.farms.com,2010-07-06:3646443:Comment:56572010-07-06T12:33:32.000ZGraham Dyerhttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/GrahamDyer
What kind of contracts did Farmers have with the developers...with this price drop - do people need to continue to install and pay for a solar project even though revenue has dropped by 30% ??
What kind of contracts did Farmers have with the developers...with this price drop - do people need to continue to install and pay for a solar project even though revenue has dropped by 30% ?? I don't think you are not too…tag:ontag.farms.com,2010-07-06:3646443:Comment:56552010-07-06T12:20:38.000ZAndrew Campbellhttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/AgriNewsHound
I don't think you are not too far off Mary Ann.<br />
<br />
The idea that the cost of rooftop panels are that much more expensive that ground mounted is outrageous. They should have known the costs before putting this in place, and made decisions based on that. If application numbers weren't so high - would they be doing the same thing?<br />
<br />
All of the sudden - farmers are taking advantage of this is big numbers - and then get their legs cut from underneath them.
I don't think you are not too far off Mary Ann.<br />
<br />
The idea that the cost of rooftop panels are that much more expensive that ground mounted is outrageous. They should have known the costs before putting this in place, and made decisions based on that. If application numbers weren't so high - would they be doing the same thing?<br />
<br />
All of the sudden - farmers are taking advantage of this is big numbers - and then get their legs cut from underneath them. There's lots to be angry abou…tag:ontag.farms.com,2010-07-06:3646443:Comment:56522010-07-06T12:08:30.000ZMary Ann Hendrikxhttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/MaryAnnHendrikx
There's lots to be angry about in this whole thing, starting with the slowness of reply to applications. There's the issue of financing, which is difficult at best for a lot of people in animal agriculture. They could really use a little pocket change. People have gone through legal costs to arrange financing, spent time on investigating and researching. Those I know who don't have the money sitting around and arranged financing, are seriously considering cutting out.<br />
The 80 cents is not a…
There's lots to be angry about in this whole thing, starting with the slowness of reply to applications. There's the issue of financing, which is difficult at best for a lot of people in animal agriculture. They could really use a little pocket change. People have gone through legal costs to arrange financing, spent time on investigating and researching. Those I know who don't have the money sitting around and arranged financing, are seriously considering cutting out.<br />
The 80 cents is not a really big issue, when the sun is hot, and the air conditioners get humming, it costs more than that to bring in outside power at peak times, exactly when the solar is working best. I dislike conspiracy theories, but it seems like someone figured out that farmers in the province might be getting some cash, and put a damper on the whole thing.