The Ontario Federation of Agriculture has fired off its comments to the Ontario Power Authority over its proposed rate cut for ground mounted solar installations.
Federation Vice President Don McCabe is totally opposed to any reduction in the rate from 80.2 cents per kilowatt to 58.8 cents a kilowatt.
He calls the surprise announcement about the cuts during the Canada Day long weekend a slap in the face to rural Ontario.
McCabe says when this whole concept was being put together the agreement with OPA was for no rate cut for at least two years, then there would be talk about reducing the rate.
He says the high rate is needed because farmers who are installing the solar equipment are working with new technology and are taking a high risk with this investment.
McCabe says now the OFA and thousands of others across the province have commented on the rate cut, the OPA should reconsider the the reduction.
He says it’s only fair that farmers get the same high rate as people in urban area get for their roof top solar equipment.
