The PowerHouse pilot program is now closed. The information on this site is for historical reference only.

Solar

Go Solar

Go Solar is a market transformation campaign that provides Ontario residents with the information and links they need to install solar energy systems to heat water or generate electricity.
www.gosolarontario.ca

Natural Resources Canada

NRCan provides a series of online publications to guide you through the decision to install solar water heaters and photovoltaic systems. You will find a link to each publication by scrolling down the left hand menu. Use this link to the site www.canren.gc.ca/prod_serv/index.asp?CaId=101&PgId=559 or use these links to the specific publications.

> An Introduction to Solar Water Heating Systems
> Solar Water Heating Systems: A Buyer's Guide
> An Introduction to Photovoltaic Systems
> Photovoltaic Systems: A Buyer's Guide 

CANSIA

www.cansia.ca

Geothermal

Canadian Geo-Exchange Coalition

This is the association for geothermal installation industry in Canada. This Website provides information about the technology. The association certifies system installers.
www.geo-exchange.ca

Natural Resources Canada

Natural Resources Canada provides you publications that will help you get started on your geothermal project. www.canren.gc.ca/prod_serv/index.asp?CaId=148&PgId=777 or follow the links to these specific publications.

> An Introduction to Residential Earth Energy Systems
> Ground Source Heat Pumps - Heating and Cooling Your Home From the Ground Up
> Residential Earth Energy Systems: A Buyer's Guide

Wind

CANWEA Small Wind

This site by the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CANWEA) provides resources and planning support for those interested in wind turbines with rated capacities less than 300 KW.
www.smallwindenergy.ca/en/SmallWind.html

Natural Resources Canada

Natural Resources Canada provides you publications that will help you get started on your wind project. www.canren.gc.ca/prod_serv/index.asp?CaId=146&PgId=759 or follow the links to these specific publications.

> An Introduction to Stand-Alone Wind Energy Systems
> Stand-Alone Wind Energy Systems: A Buyer's Guide

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources

The Ontario Wind Resources Atlas allows you to view colour-coded maps of wind information for any one-square-kilometre area in the province. www.ontariowindatlas.ca

Renewable Energy Sites

Canadian Renewable Energy Alliance

The mission of the Canadian Renewable Energy Alliance is to collaborate with a sense of urgency in promoting a rapid, global transition to energy conservation, efficiency and low-impact renewable energy. www.canrea.ca

OSEA

OSEA is dedicated to pursuing a renewable energy renaissance in the Province of Ontario, by inspiring and supporting Ontarians in the development of their own green energy projects at home and in their communities. www.ontario-sea.org/

Rebates and Incentives

The Ontario Power Authority's Standard Offer Program and Net Metering

The Standard Offer Program makes it easier for the operators of small renewable energy generating facilities to participate in meeting Ontario’s electricity supply needs by supplying power through their local electricity distribution company and being paid a fair and stable price for the power they provide. Photovoltaic and small wind are two technologies that are eligible for the Standard Offer Program.

Net Metering is an agreement between an electricity distributor and a customer who generates electricity from renewable resources. Electricity you produce, but don’t use, is sent to the distribution system in return for a credit towards future energy costs.

The OPA Standard Offer Website details the Standard Offer Program and Net Metering. www.powerauthority.on.ca/sop/

Net Metering information for customers is available on the utility websites.
www.enersource.com/HM/NetMetering.aspx?ekmensel=c580fa7b_90_104_142_2
www.hydroonenetworks.com/en/customers/generators/net_metering/

Ontario PST Rebate on Renewable Installations

The Ontario government is extending the retail sales tax rebate on qualifying renewable equipment to January 1, 2010 to encourage the use of solar and other renewable technologies. The program provides a full rebate on the PST paid for renewable equipment used for the installation of a solar, wind, micro hydro-electric or geothermal system, or enhancement to an existing system. Only residential households or residential builders are eligible for this rebate.
Rebates on Solar www.rev.gov.on.ca/english/refund/sesr/
Rebates on Wind and Geothermal systems www.rev.gov.on.ca/english/refund/windgeo/

Incentives Calculator

This Environment Canada site provides information on the energy efficiency and alternative energy programs of the Canadian, provincial and territorial governments, major electric and gas utilities and major municipalities in Canada
www.ec.gc.ca/incitatifs-incentives/index_eng.asp

ecoENERGY Retrofit - Homes

ecoENERGY Retrofit - Homes is available to owners of single family homes including detached, semi-detached and low rise multi-unit residential buildings.

Home Energy Audits

Customers wanting an EcoEnergy home energy audit (which is required to obtain the federal and provincial incentives) can enter their first three digits of their postal code and be provided with a list of home energy auditors in their area.
www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca/residential/personal/new-home-improvement/contact-advisors.cfm?attr=4

Federal Incentive

www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca/residential/personal/retrofit-homes/retrofit-qualify-grant.cfm?attr=4

Provincial incentives

a) Overview of the Ontario Home Energy retrofit program
www.energy.gov.on.ca/index.cfm?fuseaction=conservation.homeretrofit

b) Specific incentive dollar amounts per equipment type
www.energy.gov.on.ca/index.cfm?fuseaction=conservation.homeretrofit_faqs#q19

Ontario PST Rebates on Solar
www.rev.gov.on.ca/english/refund/sesr/

Ontario PST Rebates on Wind and Geothermal systems
www.rev.gov.on.ca/english/refund/windgeo/

Buying Clubs

Our Power

Our Power provides resources, support and information to community groups interested in solar installations. They are working with PowerHouse to develop buying groups for all the technologies in the program.
www.ourpower.ca

Municipal Councils

Zoning by-laws are an important consideration when you are installing technologies. Permits are required for construction projects. Please contact your municipal council for information regarding requirements and restrictions in your community.

Utility Companies

Need to get in touch with your local utility?

Local Organizations/Events

Power Up Renewable Energy (PURE)

PURE is a non-profit co-operative that encourages local businesses, government and individuals to engage in energy conservation, phase out the use of fossil fuels and adopt renewable energy technologies. The co-operative works on a variety of awareness-raising campaigns and local renewable energy projects in and around Dufferin County and the surrounding Headwaters Region. www.powerupenergy.ca

Windy Hills Caledon

Windy Hills Caledon Renewable Energy is a group of local residents interested in creating a community-owned, wind-based renewable energy project.
www.windyhillscaledon.org

Caledon Countryside Alliance

The Caledon Countryside Alliance raises the awareness of citizens, government, business and other organizations within the Headwaters region about the value of countryside. They work to identify, develop and distribute programs and policies that illustrate and promote countryside values and foster an interest in the issues and problems in the countryside in order to enhance its unique character, values and function.
www.caledoncountryside.org

EcoSource Mississauga

EcoSource Mississauga is an innovative environmental education organization serving youth, adults, and families in Mississauga. EcoSource strives to increase environmental sustainability through proactive programs dealing with consumption, waste reduction and other key environmental issues in our community. Our hands-on programs focus on how each of us can change out daily habits to become better environmental citizens. The Peel Environmental Network is now a project of Ecosource.
www.ecosource.ca 

Kortright Centre

The Kortright Centre, located in Woodbridge and part of the Toronto Regional Conservation Authority, provides workshops on renewable energy. They have working models of solar thermal, photovoltaic, and wind installations on their property.
www.kortright.org

Windfall Ecology Centre

Windfall Ecology Centre is located in Aurora and provides information about renewable technology on their Website and through workshops and events at their facility.
www.windfallcentre.ca/index.php?s=Home&p=Homepage

Ecology Retreat Centre

The Ecology Retreat Centre hosts events and workshops in Orangeville on sustainability issues including renewable energy.
www.ecologyretreatcentre.com

Community Environment Alliance

Community Environment Alliance (CEA) is a  non-profit community-based organization in Mississauga committed to fostering community and environmental sustainability by improving the quality of life of people and protecting the environment.
www.communityenvironment.org