Furthermore, with more than 35,000 systems installed worldwide, DEGERenergie is the global market leader for solar tracking systems.
The figures speak for themselves: more than 1,200 DEGERenergie systems are already feeding solar energy into the public supply network of Ontario. Another 3,000 systems, including the popular DEGERtraker 9000NT and 5000HD, will be installed by spring 2011.
We have installed tracking systems for solar power plants with an overall capacity of more than 40 megawatts in just a little more than one year, said Artur Deger, managing director of the company. No competitor has come close to delivering and installing as many systems as DEGERenergie.
According to the microFIT rules that were first applied in Ontario in October 2009, solar energy producers operating a photovoltaic installation with a maximum capacity of 10 kW received 80.2 Canadian cents per fed-in kilowatt hour (kWh), equal to about 59 euro cents. This amount was by far the highest current tariff arrangement worldwide, added Deger.
The introduction of the microFIT program caused a veritable gold rush, which above all captured the attention of small investors like farmers, communities and public institutions. The production of solar energy in Ontario suddenly became highly attractive.
However, the provincial government realized it had underestimated the effect of its microFIT program and the run on subsidized tariffs it caused. After only a few months, the feed-in tariffs were reduced considerably. This decision provoked massive protests from potential solar energy producers and the entire industry, since the boom had only just begun and was starting to show the first positive results on the labor market.
After weeks and months of uncertainty and tough negotiations, new microFIT rules are now in effect: Since July 2, 2010, microFIT system operators receive 64.2 Canadian cents per fed-in kilowatt hour (kWh), equal to about 47.6 euro cents still very favorable conditions. The consequence: The boom goes on.
Stimulus for the local economy
The local economy of Ontario benefits from the boom, as the permits and feed-in tariffs are linked to clear conditions: a significant part of the added value connected to solar projects must be generated in the country. The Domestic Content Compliance of the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) therefore requires that at least 40 percent of project costs of microFIT projects that will start operation by the end of 2010 are generated in the country. From January 1, 2011, this quota must even be at least 60 percent. The OPA also demands this value for larger solar projects not subject to the microFIT rules. For these projects, there are also attractive feed-in tariffs.
Early completion of the groundwork
DEGERenergie was an early pioneer in creating the groundwork for an active support of the boom in Ontario and the local economy. The company has been working with Canadian distributors for about three years and is completing the entire substructure of its systems in Ontario, which it first began in early 2010.
We are already meeting the requirements for Local Content valid as of 2011, said Deger. For sales, installation and production, DEGERenergie is working with approximately 20 partner companies. In 2010, DEGERenergie has therefore created more than 50 jobs in Ontario.
