Letter to Minister of Energy requesting permission for Community Net Metering (2022)

Why We’re Sharing This Letter from Hydro Ottawa

In October 2022, Hydro Ottawa Limited (HOL) submitted a letter to the Ontario Minister of Energy calling for a simple, practical update to Ontario’s net metering regulation (Ontario Regulation 541/05).

The change they’re proposing is an accounting adjustment that would allow solar electricity generated on a single property to benefit multiple electricity meters—instead of just one. Under current rules, all the generation credits from a solar system must be applied to a single meter, even if the building has several units or residents. This limits the efficiency and affordability of shared solar systems, especially for multi-unit buildings like housing co-ops and condos.

This request from HOL stems directly from OREC’s work to make solar power more affordable and accessible for communities. We’ve been working to help housing co-operatives and condominiums lower their energy costs through shared renewable energy. But current regulations stand in the way. Right now, even if a building has ample roof space for solar panels, only one customer can benefit from that energy. The rest still pay full price for electricity.

We believe the solution is simple: allow generation credits to be distributed across all meters on the property. This kind of shared solar model—commonly known as virtual net metering—is working in other jurisdictions, but it’s still not permitted in Ontario. And notably, this proposed change requires no new public spending or infrastructure.

Unfortunately, despite calls for more flexible solutions (including guidance from the Ontario Energy Board encouraging utilities to explore non-wires alternatives), the province has not updated the rules.

We’re sharing this letter from HOL as part of OREC’s response to the Independent Electricity System Operator’s (IESO) Integrated Energy Resource Plan (IERP) consultation. Our message is clear: Ontario’s energy future should prioritize affordability, sustainability, and community-based solutions—and enabling virtual net metering is a smart, no-cost place to start.