My Clean Break column today looks at the growing interest in hybrid vehicles in cab fleets. In Toronto, Co-Op Cabs wants to start a pilot project that will put a few hybrid cars — likely Toyota Camry hybrids — into service. Meanwhile, the Cleantech Innovation Institute (part of the Cleantech Venture Network) is trying to negotiate special leasing arrangements for cab/fleet owners to make the switch to hybrids worthwhile and less risky. Jim Harris, former federal Green Party leader and now a managing partner with the institute, says the initial focus will be on four cities — Toronto, London, New York and San Francisco — and the aim is to create enough demand for hybrid taxis that Toyota or some other automaker will boost North American output and offer bulk purchase discounts. Certainly a worthy goal and, on the surface at least, a potential win-win for all parties.

Also, my Clean Break podcast is an interview with Kerry Adler, CEO of SkyPower Corp. of Toronto, who talks about his company’s plans to build utility-scale solar farms throughout Ontario. Initially, SkyPower had targeted 50 megawatt of solar as part of a partnership announced with SunEdison of Baltimore. But Adler says as much as 120 megawatts could be in the pipeline based on the number of potential sites the company has identified for development. The first 10-megawatt farm is expected to be announced this spring. It’s ambitious, even if just a fraction of this potential gets built.

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