Residents already in the process of setting up small-scale ground-mounted solar panels will get the original rate of 80.2 cents per kilowatt-hour they were promised, while new applicants will see a decrease in potential returns.

On Aug. 13, the Ontario Power Authority announced a new finalized price for the microFIT ground-mounted solar price category. The new rate has been set at 64.2 cents per kilowatt hour, up from the 58.8 cents initially proposed.

Arc Electrical Ltd. is a small company run by a young couple from their home, where babies and bookkeeping occupy the president, Bridget Carey, better known as Mom.

It grew from nothing in 2007 to have six employees and total work in 2009 in the $600,000 range, led by Bridget’s husband Andy Nita, 36, also an instructor at Algonquin College.

MPP Randy Hillier plans to call on the provincial legislature to censure the McGuinty government over its handling of a program designed to encourage small business people to invest in solar power. [...]

Conservative Party and leader of the Official Opposition in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, Tim Hudak paid a visit to the Hillier Creek Estate Winery Thursday evening. With Randy Hillier MPP, Lanark, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington in-tow, Hudak was greeted by a small group of party faithful including former MPP for Prince Edward, Gary Fox. [...]