N.W.T.'s net metering program needs work, says Inuvik man

An Inuvik, N.W.T., man with a solar array attached to his house wants the Northwest Territories Power Corporation to pay him for the excess power he generates, or at least allow him to carry credit with the Power Corp. that doesn't expire.

The 11,000-kilowatt-hour solar array on the roof of Vince Sharpe's home is tied to the Inuvik power grid. He says it produces twice the power he needs.

Sharpe's excess power earns him credit with the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, as part of the territory's net-metering program. But if Sharpe fails to use the credits by March 31 of each year, the Power Corp. cancels them.

A spokesperson for the Power Corp. says it would be rare for anyone to have credits at the end of March, but Sharpe, who has the largest array allowed under the program, expects to be in that position in the new year.

"I don't think it's fair." says Sharpe. "I am producing power that they are selling, and I am not being compensated for it."

Sharpe say if the credits were paid out, or at least didn't expire, more people in the territory would be encouraged to build solar arrays, lessening reliance on diesel.

Sharpe says under the current program it will take seven years to pay off his $50,000 investment in solar power. A change to the credit system could speed that up. 

A spokesperson for the Power Corp. says it's not up to it to change how the net-metering program works. That lies with the Public Utility Board.

Gordon Van Tighem, chair of the N.W.T.'s Public Utility Board, says the net-metering program is purposely set up to restrict payouts and carry-overs because it would be a liability for the Power Corp.

"They don't want to carry it into the next fiscal year," says Van Tighem.

"We also tend to be cautious because we are dealing with something that we really need ... the large public utility that is tasked with providing us with reliable electricity throughout the whole year.

"The few can lead, but the few aren't going to profit...to the detriment of the majority."

Van Tighem says the net-metering program is still in the pilot phase, and the credit system will be reviewed at an invitation-only technical workshop in February.