Background. Request for Decision. Conergy 1 LP Ground Mount Solar Project - FIT 4.0. Recommendation. Presented: Monday, Jul 06, 2015

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1 Presented To: Planning Committee Request for Decision Conergy 1 LP Ground Mount Solar Project - FIT 4.0 Presented: Monday, Jul 06, 2015 Report Date Tuesday, Jun 23, 2015 Type: Routine Management Reports Recommendation WHEREAS Conergy 1 LP (the Applicant ) proposes to construct and operate a Ground Mount Solar Project (the Project ) on 1780 Kenneth Drive (the Lands ), to be constructed upon receipt of a FIT Contract from the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) under the Province s FIT Program; AND WHEREAS the Applicant has requested that Council of the City of Greater Sudbury indicate by resolution its support for the construction and operation of the Project on the Lands; AND WHEREAS, pursuant to the rules governing the FIT Program (the FIT Rules, Version 4.0), Applicants whose Projects receive the formal support of local municipalities will be awarded Priority Points, which may result in the Applicant being offered a FIT Contract prior to other persons applying for FIT Contracts; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT: Council of the City of Greater Sudbury supports the construction and operation of the Project on the Lands. Signed By Report Prepared By Stephen Monet Manager of Environmental Planning Initiatives Recommended by the Division Mark Simeoni Acting Director of Planning Services Recommended by the Department Paul Baskcomb General Manager of Growth & Development Recommended by the C.A.O. Bob Johnston Interim Chief Administrative Officer This resolution s sole purpose is to enable the Applicant to receive Priority Points under the FIT Program and may not be used for the purpose of any other form of municipal approval in relation to the Application or Project, or for any other purpose. Background Ontario s latest Long-term Energy Plan (2013) emphasizes the Province s objective of increasing energy supply from renewable sources, such as solar, wind, hydroelectricity and bioenergy. The Green Energy and Green Economy Act (2009) was created to expand renewable energy generation, encourage energy conservation and promote the creation of clean energy jobs. This Act introduced the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) Program, which continues Ontario s competitive energy procurement process began in 2004 with the Renewable Energy Supply contracts. The FIT Program allows companies and organizations to apply for contracts for renewable energy produced from proposed projects. The fundamental objective of the FIT

2 Program, in conjunction with the Green Energy and Green Economy Act and Ontario s Long Term Energy Plan, 2013 is to facilitate the increased development of renewable generating facilities of varying sizes, technologies and configurations via a standardized, open and fair process. Initially the FIT Program precluded local community involvement in the procurement process. The Green Energy and Green Economy Act exempts renewable energy projects from needing to apply for planning approvals under the Planning Act from local municipalities. Since 2012, however, the Province, through the Ontario Power Authority (OPA), initiated a second version of its FIT Program (FIT 2.0) that allowed project proponents to gain priority points that favoured their project during the review phase and increased their chances of receiving a procurement contract. One means of gaining these priority points is if the project received a support resolution from the local municipality. As its name implies, the support resolution is an expression of local support for the project but is not an approval of the project. The Province does not provide direction as to the basis on which a municipal Council decides whether or not to support any proposed project under the FIT Program. The OPA merged with the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) on January 1, 2015, bringing together real-time operations of the grid with long-term planning, procurement and conservation efforts. The amalgamated organization will continue to operate as the IESO. Two procurement programs have been introduced in 2015 by the IESO, the FIT 4.0 Program (projects producing under 500 kw of electricity) and the Large Renewable Procurement (LRP 1 RFP) for projects that will produce over 500kW or electricity. This report is focused on a project application under the FIT 4.0 Program. Site Considerations The Fit Rules, Version 4.0, specify eligibility requirements that must be met for the project to be considered for a FIT Contract. The eligibility requirements include requirements for the site on which the proposed project is to be constructed. Specifically, the FIT Rules prohibit the project from being located on prime agricultural areas or, unless otherwise exempted by the municipality, on or abutting a residential property or on a property where commercial or industrial use are lawfully permitted uses (if the project will constitute the principal use in relation to existing uses on the property). The FIT Rules do allow a project to be located on Rural-Residential Lands. The proposed Conergy 1 LP described below is located on Rural-Residential Lands that are not within a prime agricultural area (i.e., the Agricultural Reserve as identified in the City of Greater Sudbury s Official Plan). In addition, the proposed project does not abut residential properties. Conergy 1 LP Request for Council Resolution Conergy 1 LP (the Applicant ) is proposing to construct a 500 kw ground-mount (i.e, non-rooftop) solar PV project (the Project ) on lands defined as 1780 Kenneth Drive (the Lands ), to be constructed upon receipt of a contract from the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) under the FIT Program. The Lands are more thoroughly described as part of PIN , Remainder of Pcl 29904A, Lot 7, Concession 3, Township of Hanmer, 1780 Kenneth Drive, Hanmer, City of Greater Sudbury. The location of the proposed project is shown on Sketch 1 (attached). Additional project information supplied by the Applicant is also attached in Appendix 1. The Applicant is requesting that Council indicate by resolution their support for the construction and operation of the Project on the Lands described above.

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4 Martin Tate Dugas Michelle Guy Desmarais Tate Frontenac Robert RU M1(9) A 1946 LOT 8 CON LOT 8 CON M6(1) RU Kenneth LOT 7 CON LOT 7 CON LOT CON Talon Tremblay Beaudelaire FD Municipal Road 80 Laval C2 I(6) Ross I LOT CON C2 R Elizabeth Pit Kenneth Desmarais Laval St Mary Deschene Elmview Gravel Frost Sanitary Landfill Conergy 1 LP Solar Panel Proposed Project Ü Subject Property being part of PIN , Remainder of Pcl 29904A, Lot 7, Con 3, Twp of Hanmer, 1780 Kenneth Drive, Val Therese, City of Greater Sudbury Dominion John NTS Sketch 1 Date:

5 EthoSolar Inc. 494 Veterans Drive, Unit 12, Barrie, Ontario L4N 9J5 Toll Free Tel Fax PROPOSED SOLAR PROJECT OVERVIEW Proposed Solar Project Name Gerald and Robin Michaud Solar Project Property Owner Contact Gerald Michaud Project Address 1780 Kenneth Drive, Val Therese, Ontario P3P 1S4 Property Owner Phone (705) Property Owner Aerial Perspective of Project Location Project Specs Project Size 500 kw Project Type Ground Mount Number of Solar Panels 2,400 Gross/Active PV Surface Area 3,840 m 2 CO 2 Emissions Avoided 650,000 kg/a

6 Project Description Established in 2009, EthoSolar is a demonstrated partner in providing complete quality solar solutions. We are dedicated to making each investment in clean, renewable energy as profitable and seamless as possible. EthoSolar is committed to designing and installing solar projects that use best-in-class technology while ensuring the aesthetic compliments the existing building and landscape. With over 600 projects completed across Ontario, we have a team of qualified staff dedicated to each project s particular needs while also meeting the Ontario Building Code requirements. Installation crews have been trained and equipped with best practices in Health & Safety policies and procedures. The solar project for Gerald and Robin Michaud will involve a ground mount installation. The construction will occur with no obstruction to the existing businesses or residences in the area. The installation crew will use equipment, designed and built to code standards at all times, with no adverse impact on the rural landscape and surrounding area. Fire & Emergency Plan Upon request by the City of Greater Sudbury, EthoSolar can provide a fire and emergency plan to satisfy any concerns with both the building and fire departments for this proposed project (should a FIT contract be awarded). Commitment to Education Part of EthoSolar s mission is to educate our customers and communities on renewable energy. EthoSolar is interested and willing to participate in opportunities to share within local schools and during community events. Proposed Solar Project Overview Page 2