Quote:
Originally Posted by ken0042
Yes, you can buy panels elsewhere. However Enmax will not allow you to tie them onto their grid. You have to buy the Enmax system, or go completely off grid.
Once again, how is a company in Ontario able to do it for no cost when Enmax has a cost in the thousands/ ten thousands? That is my main point. Going solar can be done with zero cost to the consumer. If we look at innovative ways to make it just as easy to be "green" as it is to use fossil fuels, people will do it.
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The reason it is 'zero cost' to the consumer is due to a program the Ontario government put in place in order to promote green industries and non-central electricity generation in the province.
The government buys electricity made from solar panels at 39.6 cents/kWh, the cost of which is borne by the taxpayers through higher utility rates and I believe general taxes. The solar panel company can install them for free as it is so lucrative for them they know their costs will be covered to install, maintain and insure, all while paying the customer a fee to use their roof as a mini solar farm essentially.
The government has taken a beating from anyone on the right wing in the province over this deal, and it might be part of the reason the Liberals are in real trouble this election.
I personally think it's a pretty innovative way to get things moving away from conventional power generation, and it's not like these costs are going away if we put things off.