Owned and operated by Ontario farmers

Transcription

1 Thank you for your interest in the Hay Solar free* farm building program. My name is James Mann and I am the owner and president of the Hay Solar company. My family has been involved in farming for 50 years and we started farming with a small 100 acre cash crop operation and today we have nearly 500 acres of land used for cash crops, hay and horse breeding. Due to the hardships of farming, I attained a degree in engineering in 1984 and started an engineering company called Mann Engineering which is focused on energy conservation and solar energy. Mann Engineering is one of the largest solar companies in Ontario and we have been in business for over 20 years. I have been fortunate in my career as an engineer but my heart has always been in agriculture. As such, I have decided to offer something back to the agricultural community through a new program offered by our family business called Hay Solar. The new Ontario Green Energy Act and the new Ontario Feed-In Tariff (FIT) has created an opportunity for many business and investors but I believe that there needs to be a program that will allow a direct benefit to the agricultural community. Most farms will not be able to participate with solar energy programs due to the high costs of the solar systems. There are many small solar companies and large multi-national corporations that are offering leases to farms that provide very small revenue for your valuable farm land. My business plan is the best option for any working farms because there is no capital cost and you may apply for one free farm building each up to 7,500 ft2 if you are located on a single phase grid OR you may apply for two free farm buildings each up to 10,000 ft2 for a total size of 20,000 ft2 if you are located on a three phase grid. If you are located on a 44kV three phase grid, you may apply for four buildings each up to 10,000 ft2 for a total size of 40,000 ft2. Attached you will find our free barn specifications and you may choose any one of the three listed barns for construction on your farm for free. You may also make one application for property, assuming that the properties are under different ownership or do not touch each other. There is no capital cost to you except that your property taxes will increase for the value of the new farm building. However, any increase in property taxes associated with the solar system will be paid by Hay Solar and we will even pay the insurance for the new farm building, building permit and all construction costs and site preparation for the new farm building. On top of this, we may also pay you up to $500 per year in rent in exchange for your help in keeping the solar panels clear of winter snow and summer dust. The snow is removed by use of a telescopic pole and we only ask that you pull off the lower 10feet of snow if possible. One of the most significant advantages of your new farm building is that it may add significant value to your property if you ever decide to sell or re-mortgage your property. To qualify for a farm building(s), your proposed building site must be reasonably level, dry, un-shaded and as close to the road and laneway as possible. Since the solar panels on the roof must face South, the new farm building must be oriented E-W and therefore the new farm building may not be parallel to your existing buildings. Our preferred location for the new farm building would be close to the road and your laneway; however, we will accept your application for any reasonable location on your farm. You may also replace an existing barn but you may have to pay the costs to remove the old barn.

2 We have spent many years to develop our patent pending Hay Solar technology and you should be cautious about any other company with a farm building similar to Hay Solar because there may a challenge by Hay Solar if our patent is perfected and if Hay Solar determines that the company infringes our patent when it is issued. As I am sure you can appreciate, there are many calls and enquires for our offer and we will appreciate your patience until we can arrange your on-site meetings. Since there are a limited number of farm buildings available in our program, we have developed a fast track program to allow you to apply without our staff visiting your farm. Hay Solar Fast Track Program Farms that are highly motivated to proceed and are prepared to do the leg work to get the Hay Solar lease application processed. You will need to have all of your questions answered by , phone or fax by our staff. You will be required to use a handheld GPS to determine a proposed location for your new farm building or you may prepare a hand drawn site plan. By following the detailed instructions in the Hay Solar Fast Track Program, you will be able to execute the lease with minimal assistance from Hay Solar. This option will increase the probability of your lease being approved and will offer the fastest approval process that we can offer. It is important to understand that there are only three barns to choose from and although we allow custom work such as the additional of windows, doors, siding and other upgrades, we cannot provide pricing until your lease is approved. When approved, your approved builder will discuss the options and prices for any custom changes that you request. We may allow land owners to do custom work themselves but all work is subject to building permit and Hay Solar approval. The solar revenue may not be reduced by any custom work that you may propose and all custom work is at the cost of the land owner. Also, with our fast track program, you select the proposed building site but the location is subject to our approval and building permit approval. If we do not agree with your location, then we would terminate the lease or if our construction manager proposes a different location on your farm, then you would need to agree with the new location or the lease would be terminated. The bottom line is that you must agree with the location of the building otherwise the lease will be terminated. As such, the fast track is the simplest and fastest option with no risk to the land owner. Site Meeting Farms that are highly motivated to proceed but will not sign the Hay Solar lease without a site meeting at your farm to review the building location. In this case, you will need to have your lease reviewed and have all of your lease questions answered by or fax response from our office prior to the meeting. We will not attend a meeting at your farm until you have a copy of the lease and your lease questions are answered. Once you understand the lease and have some interest in our free* farm building program, then we will arrange a meeting on your farm to review the farm building location, use and other construction related issues. If you

3 are not satisfied then there is no requirement to proceed. If you are satisfied, then you can sign the lease and you will have 10 days to cancel the lease for any reason whatsoever. Face to Face Meeting For farms that just need more information, we are offering a series of face to face (FTF) meetings with motivated farms that want to participate but need more information and will invest a few hours to attend a meeting with a group of other farms. To book a date and time for a FTF meeting with Hay Solar or an approved local builder, then please book a date time at one of our proposed meeting locations online or call for more information. We encourage you to start the Hay Solar Fast Track Program prior to attending the FTF meeting so that all of your questions may be answered at the FTF meeting. Bring two copies of your lease to the FTF meeting and save time for your application process. Please us at info@haysolar.com to answer any questions, Sincerely, James Mann, P. Eng. President Hay Solar Ltd.

4 Fast Track Procedure for Lease Application 1) Ensure you have a lease from Hay Solar Revision TOR_P2Z: or higher numbered version. 2) Review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) posted on our web site. Many common questions will be answered here. 3) Review the lease with your family and your lawyer to ensure you fully understand the terms and conditions of the lease. 4) Ask any questions about the lease by to lease@haysolar.com, phone or fax and if you do not get a satisfactory answer from Hay Solar or if you do not understand the lease, then you should not proceed with your lease application. 5) Once you understand the lease, then you may identify a proposed building site on your farm for the proposed new farm building(s). Review the specifications for the free farm buildings posted on our web site and attached to this procedure and ensure that you have a good building location and proposed use for the proposed farm building. 6) The site needs to be dry, level, un-shaded and as close to the road and laneway as possible. We will accept proposed sites that are as much as 2,000 feet from the road but as the distance from the road increases, then your application may be given a lower priority for approval. 7) If the proposed building site is in a wetland or environmentally protected (EP) area, then it will not be approved. 8) If there is a buried oil or gas tank within 50 feet of the proposed building site, then your application will not be approved. 9) If the proposed building site slopes more than 20 feet over 200 feet, requires substantial fill or requires blasting of bedrock, then your application may be given a lower priority for approval. 10) The proposed farm building must be setback from the property line by a distance determined by the municipality. You are required to call your municipality and ask what is the setback from the property line for your new farm building as it may vary from place to place. You will be required to confirm that your proposed building site meets the required setbacks from the property lines and road. 11) Our program is offered to farms with an agricultural zoning. You are required to verify the zoning of your property for the construction of a farm building as specified under the Nation Farm Building Code. 12) You will need to be very sure whether your farm is located on single phase or three phase grid. If you are not sure, then ask Hydro One or your power provider or any local electrician if you have single or three phase power located at the road to your

5 property. Below are sample pictures of single and three phase hydro poles located at the road. The single phase picture is very typical (however often you will see a third cable below the two shown which may be the Bell service) and the three phase has many variations but always there are three or more insulators. Typical 3 Phase Grid at Road Typical Single Phase Grid at Road If you are located on a single phase road then you may apply for a 7,500ft2 farm building (pick any one of our three farm buildings) and if you are located on a three phase grid (at the road) then you may apply for two buildings, each 10,000ft2. Again, you may pick any combination of our free* buildings. You may also make one application for each property that you own. Example, if you own 2 properties on a three phase grid and one property on a single phase grid, then you may make three applications for a total of 7 free* barns. 13) The next steps are to use a handheld GPS to identify you proposed location. The GPS accuracy must be equal to this example N ' (N is not accurate enough). If your GPS displays latitude and longitude in decimal degrees, then it should show 5 decimal places. (Example is OK is not accurate enough). If you do not have a GPS then Skip Steps You may prepare a site plan and attach the site plan to the lease as an alternate option. To prepare a site plan skip to step 19 and please refer to the attached sample site plan for a single phase farm. 14) If you have a single phase farm, you will need to indentify an area on your farm that is 150 by 350 feet where you new farm building will be located and that meets the required setbacks from the property line. You will need to identify the NE corner of the

6 leased area using a handheld GPS as shown in Drawing One (referred to in the lease as GPS1). Please note that this corner of the leased area is not the corner of the farm building, however the farm building will be constructed within this 150 by 350 foot space subject to our approval. Drawing One (single phase farm with one farm buildings proposed) 15) For a three phase farm, you are eligible for two farm buildings and you need to determine if you want them constructed end to end or back to back. 16) If you want the farm buildings located end to end and you have a three phase farm, you will need two areas of 150 by 350 feet and you will need to identify the NE corner of the Easterly leased area using a handheld GPS as shown in Drawing Two (referred to in the lease as GPS1). The gap between the two farm buildings will be determined during the engineering phase of the project and in consultation with the farm owner and only after your lease has been approved. Drawing Two (3 phase farm with two farm buildings proposed end to end)

7 17) If you want the farm buildings located back to back and you have a three phase farm, you will need one area of 150 by 350 feet for the Northerly farm building and you will need to identify the NE corner of the Easterly leased area using a handheld GPS as shown in Drawing Three (referred to in the lease as GPS1). The second leased area is much larger (250x350 feet) to allow for the gap between the two farm buildings which may vary be from as little as 50 feet to as much as 250 feet (depending on final heights of the buildings and to reduce shading on the North building) and the gap will be determined during the engineering phase of the project and in consultation with the farm owner and only after your lease has been approved. If you cannot determine a location using end to end or back to back, then you will need to prepare a site plan as specified in Item 13. If you have three phase, then the buildings must be located as close as possible (without shading each other) to each other to improve the probability of approval. Drawing Three (3 phase farm with two farm buildings proposed back to back) 18) You are required to provide a series of photographs of the proposed building location. Place a 4 foot wooden stake in the ground 50 feet to the South of the GPS1 location. Attached a yellow or red flag on the top of the stake and then stand at the GPS1

8 location and take a series of pictures. Please use a compass so that the stake is precisely due South of where you are standing by 50 feet. Then take a series of digital photographs as you turn 360 degrees in rotation. Take at least 20 pictures (as you are turning) of the proposed building site and then the pictures to us or copy them to a CD disk and mail them to us for our review. You may also send us printed photographs if you prefer. You are required to take at least 2 pictures of the nearest hydro pole located at the road located at GPS2. One picture should show the entire pole and the second picture must show the upper half of the pole with all wires shown. The building site pictures are used to determine the approximate shading of the solar system and will have an impact on the approval of your application so look for a building site with the least amount of shading. If there is a tree or other obstruction that will be removed, then please make a note of this on your lease application (Schedule A) or in a separate letter as this may have an impact on the approval of your lease application. 19) Item 19 is not required if you have completed the GPS1 and GPS2 coordinates above. Site Plan Preparation Procedures a. Property lines and dimensions. b. Location of laneway and distances from the corners of your property. c. Location of existing buildings with approximate dimensions (these locations do not need to be accurate because we will update the site plan prior to the building permit and start of construction) d. Proposed location of the new farm building(s) (this needs to be accurate with at lease two dimensions from 2 property lines and one dimension from the laneway and one dimension from the nearest hydro pole located at the road. e. If you have a 3 phase farm, then you must refer to items for details of the two options for locations of the 2 farm buildings (i.e. back to back or end to end ) f. Location of any trees or other shading within 200 feet of the South, East or West of the proposed farm building. g. The site plan will not be used for building permit and is only for lease approval purposes. h. See the sample site plan. When done, attach the site plan to the Lease Schedule A 20) Now you are almost complete. Assuming that you have completed your legal review of the lease, then you may fill in the following information on your lease application; a. Cover Page fill in the legal name(s) of the property owner(s) b. Cover Page fill in the Date c. Page One fill in the Date

9 d. Page One fill in your legal name(s) of the property owner(s) e. Page 22 fill in the name and mailing address where you want notices to be mailed. f. Initial every page of the Lease in the Lessor Box including the site plan (unless your used the GPS option) g. Page 31 property owner(s) shall date, sign and have an adult witness sign at the same time. h. Page 32 Schedule A fill in Street #, city, postal code and legal description of the property where the Farm Building is to be built. i. Page 33 Schedule A fill in GPS1 coordinates from item 7, 9 or 10 above. j. Page 33 Schedule A select one of three options for number and orientation of farm buildings. k. Page 34 Schedule A enter the GPS2 reading as taken at the nearest hydro pole located at the road. l. Page 35 Schedule B enter the proposed style of your preferred farm building. m. Page 35 Schedule B enter the proposed Farm building use. i.e. Hay Storage, Run In Shed, etc. n. Make notes of any special site conditions, depth of bedrock, location of any nearby EP areas, etc. in Schedule A or on your site plan. 21) With all the information completed in item 20 and your photographs taken in item 18, then mail or courier the two signed copies of the lease; Hay Solar Ltd. 161 Cartwright Avenue Toronto, ON M6A 1V5 Do not forget to include the pictures. You may choose to the pictures to us instead of mailing them but you must reference you name and address to allow us to cross reference the files. 22) Once the lease is received in our office, you will be contacted to confirm the lease details.

10 Sample Site Plan Single Phase

11 Sample Site Plan Three Phase *Subject to the terms and conditions of a Lease or Purchase Agreement between Hay Solar Ltd. and the Land Owner. One application per property. This page is a summary of the usual terms of a Lease or Purchase Agreement and does not constitute an offer. Any picture, dimensions or specifications of the proposed farm building is subject to change without notice and may include features not offered without additional costs such as, but not limited to, wall colors, wall coverings, building height, soffits, facia and building location. Hay Solar Ltd. may alter the terms or cancel this program at any time without notice.