For Immediate Release
2007-04-26
Cindie Ashton, Communications Officer, 613-546-4291 ext. 3116; or The City of Kingston's media hotline at 613-546-4291,
ext 2300. Office of The Hon. John Gerretsen, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, 613-547-2385. Don Young,
Chairperson - SWITCH, 613- 544-5400 ext. 1530.
FIRST RESIDENT SELLS GREEN POWER
TO KINGSTON'S ELECTRICITY GRID
Tomorrow morning Rob Miller's home will become a solar power plant getting paid for the electricity it delivers to
Kingston's city-owned electricity grid. The Hon. John Gerretsen, Provincial Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing,
Jim Keech, President of Kingston Electricity Distribution Limited, and Don Young, Chairperson of SWITCH - Kingston's
Alternative Energy Cluster, will be on hand Friday morning at Miller's Collingwood St. home to celebrate this step in
addressing the challenge of climate change.
Miller is the first Kingstonian to take advantage of a KEDL program making it easier for homeowners and businesses to
connect green electricity generation to its grid. Until Sept. 1st of this year, KEDL will rebate 50% of grid connection
costs up to a maximum rebate of $1000 for systems sized 10 kilowatts or less. "For the typical home-based, grid-tied
solar panel installation, this rebate represents 3 to 6 percent of the total system costs," says Miller.
KEDL recently released a Guide for Distributed Generators explaining the ins
and outs of connecting any type of electricity generation to its grid. "We are committed to investment in conservation
and green energy infrastructure within our community." says Keech. "Locally generated electricity reduces our reliance
on non-renewable fuels, avoids transmission losses, and helps keep energy dollars in the local economy"
KEDL's rebate program was developed in response to an increase in grid connection requests brought about by the
Provincial government's new Standard Offer Program for
Renewable Energy. After completing an online application, home and business owners like Mr. Miller can earn up to 42
cents per kilowatt hour for the production of renewable electricity. "The Standard Offer Program forms part of our
government's strategy to address climate change and Ontario's growing energy needs," said Gerretsen. "More importantly,
this program will empower our local homeowners and landlords to make environmentally conscious choices while earning
revenue from their rooftops."
Don Young, the chairperson of SWITCH, Kingston's alternative energy cluster, says this event proves that Kingston is a
leader in renewable energy innovation. "It's not widely known, but KEDL was instrumental in developing provincial
connection standards for this type of installation, and they did so by working with experts from St. Lawrence College's
Energy Systems Engineering Technology programs, Queen's University researchers, and local entrepreneurs. The amount of
cooperation and collaboration happening in this community in the green energy field is something to be proud of."
KEDL has provided the residents of Kingston safe and reliable electricity services for more than 100 years. KEDL
services most electricity customers in the city's centre, south of McAdoo's Lane to Lake Ontario and east of Cataraqui
Creek to the Cataraqui River (including Barriefield and CFB Kingston). It is a city-owned company accountable to City
Council and the residents of Kingston. As such, KEDL is committed to improving the economic and environmental
sustainability of our community.
Anyone interested in connecting a renewable energy generation facility to KEDL's grid can contact Stephen Sottile at ssottile@utilitieskingston.com,
613-546-1181 ext. 2477. They may also look to SWITCH, Kingston's
Alternative Energy Cluster, for technical guidance and to connect with like minded individuals.
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