The solar power community and the Saskatchewan NDP are calling on the provincial government to bring back the now-suspended net metering program.
NDP finance critic Trent Wotherspoon stated he wants the government to do the right thing and reverse their decision.
“This decision was made with no consultation, blindsided this industry, and sadly, now the businesses that were flourishing, growing and had technical expertise have been gutted,” said Wotherspoon.
“We see job loss occurring and further job loss is imminent at a time that we should be expanding solar all across the province.”
In a release from the Sask. NDP, they mentioned how solar energy companies in the province have been let down by the Saskatchewan Party after being promised they would be consulted to discuss a plan for the program going forward.
The party said they have reached out to a number of companies to learn they haven’t been contacted by the government for any input while SaskPower conducts a review since reaching their megawatt cap in September.
One of those companies is Mo’ Solar Company owned by Bradyn Parisian. He hasn’t received any new details from the government other than the possibility more information is released in November.
Parisian added that the government doesn’t seem interested in considering input from members of the industry to help build the program, something he believes is a foolish choice.
“To see friends having to layoff employees who have been so loyal from the beginning, and myself having to reduce the number of opportunities I can provide to friends and skilled trades people, has been absolutely devastating,” said Parisian.
He and his wife started Mo’ Solar Company to build a better future for their kids, even naming it after their middle son Morris.
After seeing solar power as a huge opportunity, he explained how it’s been emotionally difficult for him and his family now that the program is at a standstill.
“I worked with the utility, I saw that this was an enormous opportunity simply because it’s free energy shining down on us every day. I started it to create a better future for us here in Saskatchewan.”
Parisian has had to make the difficult choice of letting go two members from his team since the program was halted, as have other solar power companies in the province.
On Thursday afternoon, the provincial government provided the following statement on the matter:
We have met and will continue to meet with stakeholder groups. SaskPower is committed to reviewing the program as quickly as possible, and announcing a new and more sustainable program very soon.
For now, owners like Parisian will have to wait until they understand what’s next for the future of the program, the industry, and their families.
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