Administration will be issuing an RFP in September 2020 for PV Solar installations to include advancing such technologies as PV glass, solar thermal applications, and double sided panels with tracking mechanisms, which reportedly yield up to 40% more electricity production.

3. Micro-grid

A micro-grid is a small network of electricity users with a local source of supply (photovoltaic system, battery storage) that is usually attached to provincial grid but is able to function independently. This micro-grid can deliver power to corporate facilities, electric charging stations, streetlights etc.

Because net metering allows for the integration of renewable energy generation and energy storage, it is a suitable arrangement for a photovoltaic solar and battery storage scheme which sees one or more properties supported by a microgrid generation system. Further integrating battery storage with photovoltaic solar generation can deliver a comprehensive solution to minimize electricity costs while providing increased reliability in the form of standby backup power.

For the Corporation, such an installation would ideally be located in proximity to a cluster of city-owned properties where generation, storage, and utilization infrastructures could be condensed. Viable hubs for rooftop solar power generation, battery storage, and onsite use are currently being investigated.

The Lou Romano and/or the Little River waste water treatment plants are potential micro-grid sites as both are being contemplated for battery storage and PV installations.

• 5. Solar Thermal

  Solar-thermal collectors can be combined with photovoltaic (PV) modules to produce hybrid PV-thermal (PV-T) collectors. These can deliver both heat and electricity simultaneously from the same installed area and at a higher overall efficiency compared to individual solar-thermal and PV panels installed separately. Hybrid PV-T technology provides a particularly promising solution when roof space is limited or when heat and electricity are required at the same time.

  This technology will be reviewed in the context of the Net Metering program being proposed.

• 6. Sub-Metering

  Sub-metering is the monitoring of the electrical, gas, water, steam, or other commodities’ consumption by individual equipment, processes, or systems within a building. Sub-metering can be used to measure the energy consumption of HVAC, lighting, refrigeration, compressors, pumps, and more. In addition to the main meter used by utilities to determine overall building or facility consumption, sub-metering utilizes individual meters that allow building and facility managers to have real-time