With the passage of the province’s new Green Energy Act, opportunities abound for everyone, from individuals to charities to municipalities, to generate both power and a profit, all the while protecting the planet. To explore these opportunities and develop a strategy for taking advantage of them, Newmarket – Tay Power has sought the help of the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association, which has for more than a decade assisted farmers, First Nations, religious organizations, homeowners and energy co-operatives develop clean, green energy projects.

Seven hundred Ontarians will be celebrating a green holiday season after being the first to receive offers to generate renewable electricity under the province’s new feed-in tariff program. The new microFIT program encourages the development of small-scale renewable energy from a diverse range of producers, including homeowners, schools, farmers and small businesses.

“The people of the province have long indicated that they are willing, even eager, to do something to address climate change. The OPA's microFIT program gives them that opportunity and they are taking it. Local power production means more personal control and profits," said Kristopher Stevens in a press statement released by the Ontario Power Authority.

Acutely conscious of the urgent need to address global warming, the Neighbourhood Unitarian Universalist Congregation is making renewable energy its business by installing a 20 kW solar photovoltaic array on the rooftop of its church. The electricity produced will feed into Toronto’s power grid for a generous, long-term price, helping to protect the planet while generating a profit. The public is being offered the opportunity to invest in the solar system by purchasing debentures that will pay five per cent interest annually for 20 years.

For more information on the terms and conditions of the debentures, go to www.nuuc.ca/solarpanels.htm.