Schneider Electric, Palatine, Ill., said it’s ready to produce inverters that comply with new feed-in tariff (FIT) renewable energy regulations in Ontario, Canada. The FIT regulations provide a guaranteed pricing structure for electricity generation from renewable energy sources, allowing development of alternative energy sources without economic efficiency and cost-effectiveness being the primary drivers. The FIT program, being implemented by the Ontario Power Authority, includes requirements for Ontario-based equipment.
Schneider bought Xantrex, Mississauga, Ontario — an inverter manufacturer that previously focused primarily on the off-grid market — in 2008 and made it the focus of its Renewable Energies business unit. Schneider will produce three 480V and 208V (AC) FIT-compliant models of its Schneider Electric Xantrex GT-series inverters by August 2010, and the rest will be released at the end of 2010 for delivery in 2011.