Small business owners, retailers, farmers and more - with applications approved by microFIT program - can seek financing from TD

TORONTO, April 13 /CNW/ - TD today announced that its lending businesses are financing renewable energy projects approved by the Ontario Power Authority's (OPA) microFIT program, which encourages the development of small-scale renewable energy (10 kilowatts or less), primarily through roof-top solar power systems.

Small business owners, schools, retailers, agricultural businesses, solar panel manufacturers and installers, utilities, and others are encouraged to talk to TD about their financing requirements for solar power and other renewable energy systems.

"We're firm believers that in 10 years, roof-top solar panels will be standard on homes and businesses of all sizes," says Karen Clarke-Whistler, TD's Chief Environment Officer. "Whether you visit a TD Canada Trust branch or talk to a dedicated small business advisor, agriculture specialist, or a TD Financing Services authorized dealer, we want to work with you to help get your renewable energy project off the ground - and on your roof."

To date the OPA has received more than 8,000 applications to the microFIT program.

"We've been building our expertise in this area as we see tremendous potential for our small business and agriculture customers to take advantage of this revenue-generating opportunity. It's good for the environment, Ontario's long-term energy needs, and our customers' bottom line," adds Alec Morley, Senior Vice President, Small Business Banking, TD Canada Trust.

In addition to being the first North American bank to be completely carbon neutral, TD is one of the largest corporate purchasers of renewable energy in Canada. TD purchases renewable energy certificates equivalent to the electricity consumed by its operations in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island plus its network of 2,700 Green Machine ABMs. To find out more about TD's environment commitment, read the 2009 Corporate Responsibility Report at http://www.td.com/corporateresponsibility/crr2009/environment/index.jsp.

On April 13 at Noon (ET) join TD Canada Trust Small Business Banking for the "Going green can make good business sense webinar" at www.tdcanadatrust.com/smallbusiness/webinars.jsp.

About TD Bank Financial Group

The Toronto-Dominion Bank and its subsidiaries are collectively known as TD Bank Financial Group. TD Bank Financial Group is the sixth largest bank in North America by branches and serves more than 18 million customers in four key businesses operating in a number of locations in key financial centres around the globe: Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking, including TD Canada Trust and TD Insurance; Wealth Management, including TD Waterhouse and an investment in TD Ameritrade; U.S. Personal and Commercial Banking, including TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank; and Wholesale Banking, including TD Securities. TD Bank Financial Group also ranks among the world's leading online financial services firms, with more than 6 million online customers. TD Bank Financial Group had CDN$567 billion in assets on January 31, 2010. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades under the symbol "TD" on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges.