microFIT

MicroFit is a term used to denote several products and programs, but it is most commonly associated with Ontario, Canada’s microFIT program. This was a government-supported feed-in tariff initiative designed to encourage small-scale renewable energy generation by individuals and small organizations.

The program was launched in 2009 under the Green Energy Act and was administered by the authority in charge of procuring renewable energy, later transitioning to the Independent Electricity System Operator system. MicroFIT projects typically involved solar photovoltaic installations up to about 10 kilowatts (kW) and, less commonly, small wind or biogas systems. Participants entered into long-term contracts, often up to 20 years, under tariffs fixed by the regulator. The generated electricity was connected to the grid, and participants received payments based on the predefined tariff rates.

MicroFIT aimed to diversify energy sources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and foster local ownership of clean energy projects. Over time, the program faced challenges such as project delays, changes in tariff rates, and shifts in policy toward other support mechanisms. New applications for microFIT were gradually closed by the mid-2010s, with existing contracts continuing under their original terms while the focus moved to broader renewable energy programs.

Beyond the Ontario program, MicroFit has been used as a brand or product name in other contexts, including software and hardware offerings unconnected to the Ontario initiative. These uses vary by vendor and industry and are unrelated to the microFIT program.