New net metering program must consider those without solar power: Scott Moe

Part of the reason the Saskatchewan government is reviewing and replacing its now cancelled net metering program is to accommodate the needs of people who can't afford to invest in solar power, the premier says.

Scott Moe took questions on Wednesday in Saskatoon about the controversial cancellationof the program, which the province says will be replaced within weeks, for the first time.

"So we need to balance the needs of everyone if you will," Moe said.

"Those that want to make the investment in renewables and we most certainly want to make that possible but we also need to balance the needs of those that need power and aren't able to make that investment."

SaskPower said last week the cancelled program would have required a seven per cent increase for all ratepayers in order to continue.

The program allowed SaskPower customers who were connected to the provincial grid to generate their own electricity through solar panels, feed it into the grid and get energy creditsfor any excess they generated.

Last week, the province announced the program which was slated to continue until 2021had reached its megawatt capacity two years early and would not be taking new subscribers until further notice.

The minister responsible for SaskPower, Dustin Duncan, said the agreement the Crown corporation and cabinet struck up was only for 16 megawatts, and potential problems could have arisen if it had continued past the cap.

The decision to cancel the program has drawn criticismfor not providing enough notice forcustomers who invested in solar power with a view to signing up for the program.

Moe saidDuncanis working diligently to come up with a new program "sooner rather than later."

"This is a positive for building capacity in the industry and now we need to ensure that as we move forward that we have a sustainable program in place," he said.

The aim, he said, is "that people can participate in that net metering, but it's also affordable for those that are unable to."

'Really irresponsible': Meili

Opposition Leader Ryan Meili accused the province of putting a "burgeoning" solar industry at risk.

"When you look at this program and you're concerned that it's not accessible to everyone, that's truebut the answer to that isn't to shut it down," he said Thursday. "The answer is to expand it."

Meili said there is a lot that should be explored to change the program, but suggested that's not a priority for the Sask. Party government.

"Saskatchewan is the best environment for producing energy from the sun anywhere in the country," he said. "For us to not exploit those resources is really irresponsible."

Meili would like to see the government subsidize the cost to install the infrastructure for renewable energy.

"We're missing the boat in terms of the way that energy is shifting, and the way Saskatchewan can be at the leading edge.It's going to be very costly for us economically if we continue down this road," he said.

Blocking action on renewable energy, he said,"is like pouring more money into Blockbuster Video in 2009."