Federal Grants – Canada’s Renewable Energy Deployment Initiative (“REDI”) Program
[April 2007: REDI has been supplanted by National Resources Canada's ecoEnergy for Renewable Heat program.]
Program Objective: Increase Canadian deployment of solar thermal, biomass combustion and ground-source heat pump renewable energy technologies.
Program Mechanics: Under the program, Mondial applies for funding prior to construction of a solar thermal installation. The application is reviewed for sound engineering and for a life-cycle cost of energy of less than CDN$0.14 per kWh.
If funding is agreed to, Mondial pays for the construction of a solar thermal installation, then submits final cost invoices and a commissioning report signed by a professional engineer. Mondial is then paid a non-repayable grant of 25% of the capital cost of the installation.
Program Successes: The 25% grant lowers the capital cost of the installations to a level where Mondial can sell the solar energy below the cost of displaced fossil fuels.
Mondial is the first solar utility to use the REDI program, and currently has three sites under construction: a new seniors' residence, a 172-suite building retrofit, and a 108-suite, two building retrofit. Mondial hires construction companies who build sites for Mondial, and who prepare the documentation for REDI.
Program Commitment: The federal government of Canada funds the administration of the REDI program, and pays the non-repayable 25% grants. Current funding cost is approximately CDN$8 million per year, and the program is evaluated and renewed at three year intervals.
