Hydro users will pay the price for going solar, consultant says

An electricity consultant says despite changes to the province's solar energy program, hydro rates will continue to climb.

The Ontario government announced lastweek it will buy electricity from solar panelowners at a cheaper rate.

But Tom Adams said it will be a long time before hydro users see those savings trickle down to them.

Adams, a private electricity consultant, said the province has spent a lot of money on hydro projects that will take years to pay off.

"Rates are going up at about eight per cent per year," he said. "That rate of increase is going to extend out until at least 2016."

He added that hes worried the Ontario government's solar energy plan will leave the poor behind, as wealthy hydro users will switch to solar power once rates become cheaper.

He said people who can't afford the equipment to produce solar power will be stuck paying hydro rates that will continue to rise.

"Low income people are going to get really screwed here," Adams said. "If you can't afford the investments to do the energy conservation you're going to be left holding the bag."

The province is scheduled to examine the price of solar energy again in two years.