Metering Discrepancy First Major Snag In The Roll-Out Of FIT And Microfit Projects

As of the end of May, project developers who had previously installed and connected in-series renewable generation projects under the FIT and microFIT programs still do not know the future of their projects. While the current official position of the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) is that it will continue to work with the necessary regulatory bodies, including the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) and Measurement Canada, and local distribution companies (LDCs) to address systems already connected, the OEB has now directed all LDCs to stop connecting facilities using in-series meters and the OPA FIT and microFIT rules have been amended to prohibit behind-the-meter, in-series facilities.

Pursuant to the FIT and microFIT rules, a generating facility must have a separate meter. Meters and metering plans must meet LDC and/or Independent Electricity System Operator requirements and must be registered with Measurement Canada. Under the original program rules, the OPA allowed