microFIT Allocation Filling Up Fast!

Justin Cummings — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 00:07:10 +0100

As many of you will already know, the Ontario Power Authority allocated 50 megawatts (mW) of grid space for the microFIT program, which aims to put solar on residential roofs. Since the implementation of the program, almost all of that space has been used up by residential projects!

As of today, April 15, 2013, there is only 6.98 mW of remaining space on the grid. That means that there is only enough sp...

2013: The Year In Solar (Video)

Justin Cummings — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 23:40:28 +0100

Apparently someone is as big a fan of Renewable Energy World as we are (which I didn't think was possible), because they read Vince Font's article on the outlook of the global solar industry for 2013 and made a video about it. The 5-minute clip by RENVU shortly summarizes Font's take on what solar will look like in the coming year, and might I add, does so in an appealing and eye-catching way.

The video is linked above for your viewing pleasure, but here are some of ...

"Attacks" by ON Nuclear Giving Solar a Spurious Name

Justin Cummings — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 00:46:42 +0100

Traditional energy sources can see the future as well as we can. Industries such as nuclear power in Ontario are beginning to take note of increasing global interest and implementation of renewable energy systems, particularly solar, and they don't like where things are going. And like anyone backed into a corner, they're defending themselves - most recently with spurious claims about the solar industry that are meant to undermine support in green energy and bolster their own position.

Giving the Gift of Sustainable Non-Profit Renewables

Justin Cummings — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 23:46:25 +0100

In the spirit of the yuletide, when all people come together in celebration of peace, brotherhood, and the act of giving and charity, here are some global non-profit organizations who aim to improve sustainability through renewable energy, as collected by Renewable Energy World. Consider making a donation and helping these companies bring the light of solar (and other renewables) to everyone in the world. 'Tis the season, after all.

5 Toxic Industries & What We Need To Do To Stop Them

Justin Cummings — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 23:34:33 +0100

The world's dependence on antiquated power systems like coal & nuclear is slowly, but surely, being phased out. Many countries on many continents are putting their best renewable foot forward to ensure that their manufacturing plants, factories, and other production facilities are drawing power from green energy, rather than these archaic and harmful sources.

The road ahead is still woefully long, how...

McGuinty Unconcerned By WTO Ruling

Justin Cummings — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 22:38:28 +0100

Stormy skies ahead for Ontario solar, it seems, in the wake of a refreshed complaint by the World Trade Organization about the province's Green Energy Act.

The WTO asserts, as it did two years ago in complaints lodged by the European Union and Japan, that the Act's domestic content requirements violate international trade laws. Wheth...

The China Issue

Justin Cummings — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 02:57:21 +0100

"Made In China" is such a ubiquitous little sequence of words that we tend to glaze right over them. Of course it's made in China - isn't everything these days?

The question as it concerns solar PV modules, however, is: what if that's not a sustainable option?

Renewable Energy World has been following the tarriff crisis in China's solar industry very closely, and we want to weigh in on this complic...

What Does Obama's Re-Election Mean For Solar?

Justin Cummings — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 23:35:03 +0100

We are loath to wax political here at Clearly Solar, preferring only to comment on how government policy directly affects our noble green energy plans, and what you need to know about it. This week we must admit, it seems, to a slight bias: we're very happy to see Barack Obama re-elected for a second term as President of our neighbours to the south.

Now we're not telling you this just to make polite conve...

Solar Keeps Post-Sandy NY Afloat (Sorry)

Justin Cummings — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 03:40:42 +0100

Hurricane Sandy, after her recent visit to the United States' eastern seaboard, has left a trail of destruction in her wake. As many of us are aware, much of the infrastructure in the Easternmost states, especially New York City, was shut down or inoperable during her visit, meaning that millions of Americans were without power for weeks at a time. No power means no cooking, no running water, and no storing food, not to mention the consequences of power loss to hospitals and other rescue/...

"Snowlar": Solar Still Viable In Snowy Conditions

Justin Cummings — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 19:41:19 +0100

It's a question we've all wondered when considering solar: we live in Ontario, right? So what happens when December hits and we're gifted with a blanket of new-fallen snow? Will our panels still produce energy?

According to a joint study by Queen's University and St. Lawrence College, the answer is yes. It turns out that even in heavy snowfall, power losses in this part of Canada are minimal. Of course, y...

Ontario Continues To Lead By Example

Justin Cummings — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 05:37:13 +0100

If you've had doubts in the past few years about the Canadian solar industry, you can hardly be blamed for your uncertainty. Solar's had a tough uphill climb to true integration and sustainable stability - what many have called a "solar rollercoaster" with encouraging peaks and disappointing valleys all along the way. If your faith is flagging, however, here's some news to perk up your spirits:

Onta...

The Future Reveals Itself Through Solar

Justin Cummings — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 22:48:00 +0100

Incredible, isn't it, how our lives are becoming more and more like science fiction? Most of us carry amazingly powerful and sophisticated multipurpose devices right in our pockets, and don't think twice about the fact that people from forty years ago would have boggled at their staggering abilities. Just because there are no flying cars does not mean we're not living in the future right now, you and I - and there are signs indicating that solar is right there at the forefront.

Close t...

Solar Makes For Smart Investing

Justin Cummings — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 21:58:08 +0100

As solar continues to heat up in Ontario, with more and more residents and commercial owners bringing their PV projects online every week, it's becoming increasingly clear to the financially savvy in our beautiful province that solar is an excellent investment.

Our clients will tell you the same, especially Al Brown, who compares owning his Clearly Solar project to putting up an apartment building with "triple-A tenants who need no maintenance," and that a 20-year investment with an RO...

Solar Gaining Global Ground

Justin Cummings — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 23:30:27 +0100

Even though Ontario's experience with solar has been slightly spotty in terms of smooth implementation of the FIT and microFIT programs, our efforts to go green are having more of an impact than we know.

Ontario was hardly the first place on Earth to make a serious go of solar. Countries across the world have been defying the odds and harnessing those golden rays for many years - European countries like Spain and Germany being particular leaders in that regard. By the time we Ontarians...

The Dos and Don'ts of Solar PV Installation

Justin Cummings — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 22:54:40 +0100

You've put in the application, you've bought your panels, and now it's time to affix them to your roof and start your own green revolution! The installation process, however, is a serious consideration and can cause problems down the road if done improperly. Most solar companies, Clearly Solar included, will install your panels for you - but are they doing it correctly?

This article in the Windsor Star features a roofing expert who asserts that solar PV panels can cause serious damage ...

The Latest Green Trend: Solar Bulbs

Justin Cummings — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 01:57:06 +0100

Outdoor lighting can be a very crucial concern if you and the family spend lots of time outside during the summer months and beyond. Who hasn't had the age-old cottage problem of stumbling through the dark with a flashlight on their way to the privy?

Solar lighting has been an eco-friendly solution for years, but underdeveloped technology and prohibitive costs have made it difficult to adopt for the average night-time outdoorsperson. The idea - that one could line pathways and si...

Sick of FIT? Net Metering Still An Option

Justin Cummings — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 23:11:12 +0100

For those playing the home game, the Ontario government's management of the FIT and microFIT programs has been, shall we say, problematic. Many Ontarians are stuck in long waiting lines for FIT applications, some of which may not even be processed. It all depends on grid capacity, and the fact that the OPA and the government did not expect the FIT initiatives to be as popular as they are, and did not allocate enough space on Ontario's power grid to accommodate so many new sources of clean gre...

OPA Announces Small FIT Application Window

Justin Cummings — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 02:41:06 +0100

The Ontario Power Authority has released several documents pertaining to slight changes made to the FIT 2.0 programs as outlined this past March.

The changes are minor, mostly pertaining to placement of solar systems for commercial and agricultural properties, and with slight changes to rates as well. All of this information and the relevant documents can be found here at the OPA website.

Big Solar Returns In Summer 2012

Justin Cummings — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 03:23:54 +0100

Everyone knows that the summer months are, as The Solar Ontario Blog puts it, "the money months". June, July, and August are the peak solar energy production months in most countries across the world, and Ontario is no exception. In 2012, our province saw huge returns on solar investments, thanks to an abundance of sunny skies - especially in July.

This article details how the predicted energy output for Ontario was almost exactly met. We were supposed to produce 2320 kilowatt hours of...

Welcome To Clearly Solar's New Website!

Justin Cummings — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 05:38:02 +0100

Clearly Solar Inc has recently re-launched our website!

Browse around to learn more about solar and the renewable energy industry in Ontario, and be sure to check out some of our exciting new features:

Updated product info
Full coverage about our industry-leading warranty
Customer Profiles - hear what our other clients have to say!

...And lots more!

Thanks for stopping by, and feel free to contact us with any questions you might have. We look forward to helping y...

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