Solar Installation Projects Well Underway in Ontario but Is It Enough?

Carmanah Technologies has received a $1.5 million contract to commission and install a 250 kW system at Markham’s newly created Emergency Operation Centre.  The project is scheduled for completion in February 2011.  Once connected to the grid, the project will generate electricity at the FIT rate of $0.713/kWh for the next 20 years, according to the Ontario Power Authority (OPA).  With a payback schedule of roughly five years, the city will use profits from the remaining 15 years of its contract to invest in future energy projects.

Carmanah Technologies was selected from a sizeable group of major bidders due to its extensive experience in commercial solar rooftop installation.  The competitiveness of this contract shows that the Ontario FIT program has been successful in bringing renewable energy business to the province.  However, while this project is one of many being implemented in the fast growing Ontario PV market, there are some concerns that the growth rate for installations could exceed the rate at which the province can source PV professionals with the requisite solar training.

Solar PV Training Key to Future Job Creation

Over the next three years, it is predicted that 50,000 clean energy jobs could emerge.  Critics observing these market successes are worried that the gap between the demand (in created jobs) and supply of appropriately trained workers will increase.  Canada’s Electricity Sector Council has reported that 74% of the electricity sector is over the age of 40 (2004 statistic) and within the next decade, 40% of this workforce will retire.

While these numbers encompass all energy and electricity technologies, Ontario has been a particularly popular region for solar installation projects.  Statistics from 91 solar businesses show that 41% of these companies expect to face labour shortages.  Elizabeth McDonald, President of the Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA) is aware of this issue and is “concerned about the gap both in terms of numbers and in terms of skills.”  The Ontario Sustainable Energy Association is working with the Canadian Union of Skilled Workers to address these issues.  In addition, programs like Ontario Solar Academy offer solar PV installation courses designed to equip professionals with expertise in areas such as the Canadian Electricity Code, PV system design, and regulatory issues related to the FIT and microFIT programs.