Commercial

Canadian Solar Solutions Inc.

The Potential Market in Ontario

As a result of the Ontario Power Authority's Feed-In Tariff (FIT) program, rooftop photovoltaic (PV) generation — commonly called "solar power" — is expected to account for 1 to 2 percent of Ontario's energy supply, according to sources.

It is also estimated, according to sources, that there will be about two commercial installations for every 10,000 people over the next three years. This means companies related to residential and commercial services can take advantage of this unique opportunity. Such companies include:

  • local utilities
  • electrical contractors
  • roofing companies
  • heating ventilation & air conditioning companies (HVAC)
  • real estate developers

The FIT Opportunity

In the commercial sector, solar power system sizes and pricing may vary significantly. Based on the FIT program, one of the most attractive, and most popular, product brackets will be the 10 kW to 500 kW PV system, which will have a rate of between 48.7-54.9 cents / kWh. With a full range of photovoltaic products, Canadian Solar Inc. — Canadian Solar Solutions' parent company — has a system that meets your unique needs. Visit the Canadian Solar Products page to learn more.

Particular conditions, such as the type of roof, existing electrical installation, building size, PV system size, even the US currency exchange rate, need to be considered in every case. All of these factors can make a difference in a final installed cost per watt and long term savings and efficiency.

The tables below show a typical estimate of a basic financial analysis for a 250 kW (kilowatt) AC solar power system (PV system) on a building rooftop.

 
Assumptions in Canadian Dollars  
   
Location Toronto
Estimated Energy Output 359 MWh/year
PV System Size (AC) 250 kW
FIT Contract Price (20 yrs) 53.9 Cents/kWh
   

Financing  
   
Total Investment $1,402,908 Cdn.
Equity $420,872 (30%)
Debt $982,036 (70%)
Debt Interest Rate 8%
Debt Term 10.0 years
Before Tax IRR Over 14%
   
* Based on average data and certain assumptions; results will vary according to particular conditions, including geographic location, rooftop orientation, mounting system and solar panels selected. Project costs will vary depending on cost of materials, financing terms and interest rate variances, and other variables. This analysis assumes an uninterrupted 20 year energy production based on current Ontario government laws and programs relating to solar power projects. Every project must be reviewed independently to determine the rate of return for that particular project.*Excluding sales tax.

Either with 100 percent equity investment or a mix of equity plus debt financing, owning a solar power system under a 20-year contract with the OPA's FIT program represents a profitable investment.

In addition, Canadian Solar Solutions meets the domestic content requirements outlined by the Ontario government in its feed-in-tariff program.

Canadian Solar Solutions offers your commercial business a turnkey solution as unique as your business. Contact Canadian Solar Solutions today to get started.

To learn more about the FIT program, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions section.