By Tyler Kula www.theobserver.ca The Observer
A community power project could help local investors earn extra cash while getting onside with Ontario’s Green Energy Act.
So says Denis Van Decker, alternative energy technology leader with the Sarnia Lambton Economic Partnership.
Van Decker is holding a free seminar Thursday at Lambton College, room N105, to discuss the project.
The idea is for three or more individuals or community-based organizations to invest in technologies covered under the Green Energy Act, such as solar, wind and biomass.
“The provincial government wants to see this happen,” Van Decker said.
Additional money is provided for every kilowatt hour generated from community power projects. The rate depends on the type of energy generation, he said.
Members of a community power project must collectively own 51% of the energy assets to receive the financial boost, he said.
The extra rates do not apply to rooftop solar, although they do apply to ground solar.
“What I would really like, longer term, is a diversified portfolio,” Van Decker said.
“The benefits to the government, and the reason why they’re really promoting this, is to get more community buy-in into green energy projects.”
Power projects are already springing up in other parts of the province, he said, including rural areas with farmers banding together to see better returns on investments.
Similar strategies have been helpful in making the move to alternative energy in Europe, Van Decker said, citing examples in Denmark and Germany.
The seminar at Lambton College runs from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and is part of a college partnership with the Bluewater Sustainability Initiative and Suncor Energy Foundation.
Observer Article ID# 2622467
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