HELIOSENERGYMichelle Bird, Design Manager

Training and Jobs in Sustainability and Alternative Energies

December 8, 2009

Introduction

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• Introduction to Helios Energy & Personal Work• Why now? Ontario’s Green Energy Act• Feed In Tariff and Implications for the Solar Market in Ontario• Solar Thermal vs. Solar PV• Scope of Solar PV Opportunities• Current Solar Development in Ontario• Working in the Solar Industry: Options for training• Changing Perspectives in Manufacturing & Trades• Implications of Domestic Content Requirements• Future Trends

Agenda

Introduction

HELIOSENERGY

• Founded in 2006 to develop utility scale and rooftop solar energy projects in Ontario– Renewable Energy Standard Offer Program (November 2006 – May 2008)– Renewable Energy Feed-In Tariff (FIT) Program

• Currently working on over 100 MW of utility scale projects

• Developing a portfolio of grid-tied commercial / industrial rooftop projects– Targeting 250 kW and larger systems

• Strong relationships with local utilities, regulators and agency officials

• Active member of the Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA)

Introduction to Helios Energy

Introduction

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Helios Energy seeks to create value by developing projects from initial site identification through commissioning and operation and maintenance

Helios Energy Development Business

Introduction

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Design solar PV installations for commercial & industrial rooftops• Roof evaluation• Site visits• Array design• Produce drawing set• Ensure design meets electrical safety codes• Engineering coordination• Roof contractor coordination• Research products• Produce bill of materials• Documentation

My Role – Design Manager

Introduction

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Skills Used as Design Manager• Understanding of electric circuit concepts• Understanding of solar geometry & shade analysis tools• Work with digital maps & imagery• Work with and create CAD drawings• Excel, Access• Industry specific analysis software: PVSyst• Understanding of various types of roof structures & membranes• Communication & organization skills

Education• BA Geography – York University• Master of Spatial Analysis – Ryerson / UofT• Sustainable Energy & Building Technology – Humber College• NABCEP Entry Level PV Certificate

My Background

Introduction

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Why Now? Ontario’s Green Energy Act

The Green Energy Act aims to achieve three principal goals:

1. Help Ontario become North America’s leader in renewable energy– Creating a Feed-in Tariff Program to guarantee rates for renewable energy

– Implementing a 21st century “smart” power grid

2. Create a culture of conservation– Making energy efficiency a key purpose of Ontario’s building code

– Increasing productivity in the industrial sector through energy efficiency and demand management plans

3. Create 50,000 jobs for Ontarians in its first three years– Establishing domestic content requirements for renewable energy projects

– Helping communities build, own and operate their own renewable energy projects

Source: Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, http://www.mei.gov.on.ca/english/energy/gea/

Introduction

HELIOSENERGY

• OPA released draft rules for the new Renewable Energy Feed-In Tariff (FIT) Program on March 13, 2009 and revised rules on November 19, 2009

• Competitive pricing for electricity generated from a renewable energy source• Wind, Biogas, Biomass, Landfill Gas, Waterpower and Solar

• Solar PV: Offers different price categories based on system size, stimulating both residential and commercial industrial development

• Solar is a labour intensive development: skilled & unskilled job creation estimated at 15 job years / MW installed

Feed in Tariff & Implications for Ontario

Proposed New 20-Year Tariffs For Solar PV

Installation Type Generator Size Rate ($CAD / kWh)

Micro Generation ≤ 10 kW $0.802

Rooftop

> 10 kW ≤ 250 kW $0.713

> 250 kW ≤ 500 kW $0.635

> 500 kW $0.539

Ground Mounted > 10 kW ≤ 10 MW $0.443

Source: OPA, CANSIA

Introduction

HELIOSENERGY

Solar PV vs. Solar Thermal

Solar Photovoltaic•Generates electricity•Eligible for FIT contracts•Opportunities for electricians

Solar Thermal•Mainly used for domestic hot water•Not eligible for FIT contracts•Opportunities for plumbers

Source: Solarworld.com

•Common installation process for design & mounting of both types of panels

Introduction

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Ontario’s Solar Resources

Source: Natural Resources Canada

Introduction

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• Amherstburg

• Chatham

• Edwards

• Napanee

• Ottawa

• Petrolia

• Port Dover

• Sarnia

• Sault Ste. Marie

• Smiths Falls

• Sombra

• Somerville

• St. Isidore

• Stone Mills

• Thunder Bay

• Tilbury

And more…

Solar Energy Developments Across Ontario

Solar Energy: Ground-mounted development

in over 16 municipalities

Source: Google Earth, OPA

Introduction

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Scope of Solar PV & Thermal Opportunities

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Canada’s Major Educational Driver:

Canadian Solar Industries Association (CANSIA)

• Currently there is no national curriculum for either system design or installation for solar PV or solar thermal

• CanSIA is working with stakeholders to development new solar thermal and solar photovoltaic training curriculum with the Association of Canadian Community Colleges and Natural Resources Canada.

• These college based curriculum programs will provide more comprehensive cognitive training as well as some practical hands training.

• These programs will benefit individuals with no solar or trades experience.

Working in the Solar Industry: Training Options

Introduction

HELIOSENERGY

Canada’s Major Educational Driver:

Canadian Solar Industries Association (CANSIA)

Solar Thermal• Canadian Solar Hot Water System Installer (Level 1) Certification

– For individuals with prior installation or trade experience

Solar PV• PV Technician Program through Seneca College

– 11 part training program– No recognized designation upon completion

Working in the Solar Industry: Training Options

Introduction

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North American Board of

Certified Energy Practioners (NABCEP)

• A volunteer board of renewable energy stakeholder representatives that includes: – Representatives of the solar industry– NABCEP certificants– Renewable energy organizations– State policy makers– Educational institutions– Trades

• NABCEP’s goal is to develop voluntary national certification programs that will:– Promote renewable energy;– Provide value to practitioners;– Promote worker safety and skill; and– Promote consumer confidence

Working in the Solar Industry: Training Options

Introduction

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North American Board of

Certified Energy Practioners (NABCEP)

PV Installer Certification & Solar Thermal Installer Certification• Extensive screening & application process• Requires a written examination, in addition to some combination of previous

experience

Entry Level PV Certificate• Course designed for all types of participants to learn basic PV design & installation

concepts. This certificate, in addition to a minimum of two PV installations, allows an individual to qualify to write the PV Installer Certification exam

Working in the Solar Industry: Training Options

Introduction

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Community Colleges

• Humber College – Sustainable Energy & Building Technology• Centennial College – Energy Institute• Cambrian College – Energy Systems Technology• St. Lawrence College – Energy Systems Engineer Technology• GPEKS Clean Energy Institute – Renewable Energy Feasibility Analysis

Additional Options

• Kortright Centre• Solar Energy International (SEI)

Working in the Solar Industry: Training Options

Introduction

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Changes in Manufacturing

• Opportunities for shifts within existing industries: – i.e. metal benders – mounting systems

Changes in Trades

• Electricians – training on working specifically with solar PV systems, safety code requirements, DC electricity

• Roofers – Install rack systems, offer 20 year roof life

• HVAC/Plumbers/Pipe Fitters – specific training for solar thermal installations

• Union claim of work

• System maintenance

Changing Perspectives

Introduction

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Implications of Domestic Content Rules

Domestic Content Requirements for Solar PV

Feed-in Tariff Category Generator Size 2010 Requirement 2011 Requirement

MicroFIT ≤ 10 kW 40% 60%

FIT > 10 kW 50% 60%

•Designed to stimulate manufacturing in Ontario and ensures the use of Ontario labour

•PV System components include:•Panel •Inverter•Mounting system•Disconnects•Wire & conduit

Introduction

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• Strong growth supported by government targets for renewable energy

• Shortage of skilled labour for design & installation– Need to re-train existing trades– Need curriculum to quickly ramp up untrained individuals and provide a high quality standard

• Shift in manufacturing towards supplying solar PV & thermal markets– Cautious entry by major panel & inverter manufacturers– Difficult for Ontario to maintain in the face of N.A. wide programs & free trade discussions

• More Feed-In Tariff and incentive programs launched around North America– Implications for module and BOS pricing– Feed-In Tariff rates decrease over time

Future Trends