Review of the Effectiveness of Investments in Renewable Energy for Social Housing
Launched in 2010 as part of a comprehensive economic stimulus program targeting Ontario’s social and affordable housing sector, the Renewable Energy Initiative (REI) disbursed approximately $57 million in provincial and federal funding to 161 different social and affordable housing providers within Ontario for the installation of renewable energy (RE) systems. Eligible technologies included solar photovoltaics (PV), solar domestic hot water (SDHW), solar air heating, geothermal and wind turbines. In partnership with Evergreen and the Ontario Climate Consortium (OCC), this project evaluated of the REI in terms of the social, economic and environmental outcomes. The evaluation was sponsored by the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Ministry of Housing, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and Natural Resources Canada’s Program for Energy Research and Development.
