If an energy concern decided to erect an oil rig or a a reactor near your house to promote their business strategy, chances are you would be quite upset.

But the “solar flair” put up at McCannell Avenue and Highway 10 on Tuesday is not likely to raise the neighbours’ ire.

The structure, which resembles a flower, is actually a 1.1-kilowatt solar collecting system which is part of a provincial scheme where those who install solar panels on their property can sell the power back to the grid for over 80 cents a kilowatt hour.

While this particular installation will only hold enough to provide roughly 10 per cent of an average home’s energy needs, it’s part of an ambitious effort by the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) to promote alternative energy use and could signal the beginning of an economyrevitalizing industry.

Alan Neuville, owner of Advanced Tech Renewable Services (ATRS) in Orangeville, says the McCannell Avenue flair is “more for marketing and aesthetics, as well as producing energy.”

As for employment benefits, ATRS currently has three employees. But Mr. Neuville says the projects it has undertaken so far this year have led to close to $1 million in subcontracts for between 10 and 12 local companies.

In recent months, the company has undergone installation work amounting to 100 kilowatts of solar systems. ATRS, he says, already has projects totalling 750 kilowatts booked for the near future.

The OPA’s Feed-In Tarriff (FIT) program is divided into different categories.

The Micro-FIT program with roof-mounted solar systems producing under 10 kilowatts allows customers to sell back to the authority for 80.2 cents per kw/h. Ground-mounted systems at the same volume receive 64.2 cents.

“We’re looking at a return rate of 13 to 16 per cent on the original investment,” said Mr. Neuville,

and its locked in for 20 years. In six to seven years, an investment can be recouped.”

As the size and output of an installation grows larger, the payback becomes smaller. The FIT program for more than 10 kilowatts pays 71.5 cents. Between 250 and 500 pays 63.5 cents and there is a 44-cent payout for installations over 500 kilowatts.

According to the ATRS website, solar technology has been in use for half a century and some initial cells are still functioning today. Panels are designed to produce 80% of their initial power even after 25 years.